Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
I leaned against the door, then slid down to sit on the floor. I let the coolness of the wood at my back ground me as I took several more deep breaths. Nightmares were nothing new, but tonight was the worst ever. Probably because of the fight at the motel. The details were fuzzy, but I was still feeling the edge of panic as the adrenaline left me.
The adrenaline drop was the worst. Not only was I sweating and sticky, but I was also sick to my stomach and my legs were wobbly.
After a few more minutes, I stumbled to my feet and turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature until it was as hot as I could stand it. As steam filled the bathroom, I stripped off my sweat-dampened clothes, then used a hair band the women had supplied to secure my hair into a bun on top of my head. Then I stepped into the shower and let the water beat against my tense muscles. I tried to focus on the soothing sensation rather than the lingering fear. Doug wasn’t here. I was safe. Riot was just outside in my bedroom.
That thought nearly made my knees give out. Riot. The man was an enigma. A convicted killer who looked at me with such gentleness it made my chest ache. I’d spent so many years flinching at sudden movements, anticipating the next outburst, the next blow. Yet around Riot, despite his size and obvious strength, I didn’t feel that familiar dread. I didn’t feel threatened in any way by Riot.
Not wanting to inconvenience Riot further, I finished up and dried off. I felt more like myself again, but still incredibly fragile. I pulled on clean clothes and ran a brush through my hair before opening the door and exiting the bathroom.
Riot was still there, sitting exactly where I’d left him. His gaze lifted to mine immediately. “Better?” he asked.
I nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Much.” For a while I stared down at my hands, not sure what to say when there were so many things I needed to know. “I appreciate your patience with me and Caleb.”
“No need for patience. I’m glad to help.”
“You and Caleb seem to be getting on well.” This conversation had to happen sometime. Might as well get it over with now.
“We’ve come to an understanding of sorts, I guess.”
“What’s that?”
The corners of his lips lifted in amusement. “We agree that if I don’t scare or hurt you, he won’t cut out my heart with a rusty spork.”
That got a surprised bark of laughter from me. “That’s good to know.”
“Also, he wants me to be your protector. At least, for now.”
That surprised me. “Caleb said that?”
“Yeah. I don’t think it was easy for him to admit he couldn’t do it on his own, but he wants you to be safe. I think that kid would do anything in the fuckin’ world to protect you.”
I had to smile. “Caleb is a great kid.”
“He’s a good man, too,” Riot said. “Better than most I know. I don’t respect many people, but I respect your son.”
“Wow. That’s high praise.”
“Deserved.”
Again, there was an awkward silence between us. Riot didn’t rush me or even anticipate my questions. He simply sat in that chair, resting his arms on the sides, and waited.
“I’d like to know…” I stopped, unsure how to phrase my question without accidentally offending him.
“I’m not going to pounce on you, Violet. I’m not gonna get mad at anything you ask me. As a mother of a boy Caleb’s age, you have every right to want to know as much as you can about the ex-con you’re gonna be stuck with for the foreseeable future.” He grinned, not repentant in the least. “So, you ask all the questions you want, honey.”
It was ridiculous how much I liked him calling me honey. A couple of the other guys had used that endearment too, but none of them said it to me in the same tone of voice Riot did. Now was not the time for fantasies about the hot biker. Especially when, first, I was married, and second, I had a preteen son in the next room. Also, there was the fact my husband was probably going to retaliate for the legal victory today.
“I’d like to know what you’re going to tell Caleb tomorrow.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you want me to tell him?”
“I don’t know.” I sat on the edge of the bed, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. “I’m handling this all wrong.”
“Talk it out as best you can. I hate you had a nightmare, but I wanted to talk with you about this before I spoke with Caleb. Probably for the same reasons you’re thinking of right now.”
“I’m sorry, Riot. I’m convinced you’re one of the good guys. Like the real good guys. The kind of guy who does what has to be done, no matter the consequences to himself.”