Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
He’s so close that I can smell his cleanliness. No sweat, no marijuana, just pure man. Something Demon didn’t have. That clean smell. I should be disgusted with myself after all I’ve been through, and I damn sure shouldn’t be turned on. My nipples shouldn’t harden at his nearness. Stupid whore-y traitors. “That place is right here. No one knows you’re here, and I can keep you safe.”
My gaze narrows. “That’s not the reassurance you think it is.”
This time, he does laugh, and it’s deep and rumbly, kind of rusty as it wraps around me like a guy getting a little too close a little too soon. “I know you have no reason to trust me. But I took an oath to do no harm. You’re safe with me.”
“We both know when it comes down to loyalty, you’ll choose your gang over me. Hell, my gang made the same choice.”
He lifts me easily and carries me past the bloodstain and into the darker part of the dungeon. “You’re tough and you’re stubborn,” he declares before he eases me onto a surprisingly comfortable bed.
“I’ve been called worse,” I say, despite the thick fog of pain meds clouding my brain. I’m fighting a losing battle, my body exhausted and throbbing, but my pride won’t let me give in.
Nova smiles. “I bet you have,” he says, his voice a warm rumble that resonates through me, making me uncomfortably aware of his masculinity.
“You’re tough and stubborn and suspicious.”
“You said that already.”
He hit me with a beaming smile that almost makes me forget that I’m fucked up right now. “I get it, Maggie, I really do. You have no reason to trust me, but there’s one thing you should know.”
“Yeah?” I cock my head to the side, unconsciously licking my lips at the sight of that devilish fucking smile. “Spit it out.”
He leans in, close enough that his chest grazes mine, and his breath tickles my ear. “Your tough, and stubborn side? It’s got a rough-and-tumble, street-smart charm to it. I kind of like it.”
Fuck. Me.
He pulls back until our eyes lock, and I’m powerless to look away. “I will keep you safe. And help you heal. You can count on that.”
Why do I want to believe this man when I don’t know him from Adam? Is it the pretty face? The nice guy charm must be working magic on me after more than a decade of putting up with Demon’s shit. Whatever it is, it’s making it hard to think straight. “Until you get orders to put a bullet in my head,” I reply, my voice weaker than I’d like.
“There won’t be any orders, Maggie. Not like that.” There’s conviction in his voice that I want to believe. But trusting him means letting my guard down, and I can’t afford to do that. Not now. Not here.
Nova takes a step back but keeps his gaze locked on mine. “You’re staying here, Maggie. End of discussion.”
“It’s not the end of anything,” I shoot back, yawning as he removes my shoes and tugs a blanket over me.
“Get some rest,” he says, completely ignoring my words. “I’ll be back to check on you soon. I promise.”
I roll my eyes at the promise he tosses over his shoulder. “Promises? From you? Cute, Doc.”
“Nova.” He turns, his expression serious. “Call me Nova.”
Nova. What the fuck kind of name is Nova? Sounds like a shooting star that’s about to blow up.
Story of my life.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Nova
From a corner of the room, I lean against the wall, arms crossed, watching her. There’s an air of quiet, but it’s the restless kind. She’s sprawled across the bed, exhaustion finally winning over her stubbornness. But even in sleep, Maggie doesn’t find peace.
Damn, she’s a riddle. Tough as they come, with a mouth that could make a sailor blush. But behind those eyes, there’s a story filled with pain. Demon, the bastard, must’ve been a big part of that chapter.
After a few more minutes watching her, I check her vitals and bandages and leave her to rest.
I return the next day, and she’s sleeping again, the plate of food on the nightstand still untouched. That worries me. I make a mental note to bring her something she likes. If I can figure out what that is.
Today, I’m determined to get in and out, not soak in her beauty while she’s asleep, vulnerable, and quiet. Her pulse is strong, and the stitches are healing exactly as they should. It’s progress, and when I finish changing her bandages, I pack everything up and head toward the door.
A guttural moan escapes her. I stiffen. I’ve heard that sound before—in the dirt-covered battlefields halfway across the world. “No, stop!” she cries out. It’s raw, full of anguish.
Every instinct I’ve got screams to help her, to pull her out of the dream she’s trapped in. I cross the room and kneel beside her. “Maggie, it’s just a bad dream,” I whisper, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe here.”