Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
The common room had a solid wall between it and the lobby. The only way into the common room from the outside was through the lobby. A window with one-way, bulletproof glass let anyone in the common room see into the lobby without being observed.
Rip’s face reflected in that glass where he stood between us and whatever threat we faced. I understood they’d put one-way glass there, but, honestly, if anyone could see his face, there was no way they would stay here. I’d never seen a man look so scary.
His black T-shirt strained as the muscles in his arms bulged where he’d clenched his fists, and veins roped up his forearms and biceps. After taking a quick look through the glass, Rip spoke quietly into a radio, then turned and went back to his office.
Moments later, the chime stopped. Rip exited his office before going back to the window. This time, he held a tablet and glanced down at it occasionally before swiping and speaking again. I finally realized he’d put himself between us and the outside while he went through some kind of security checklist. He continued to speak. I closed my eyes, trying to concentrate on the sound of his voice to anchor myself when I was really spinning out of control.
“Jade!” I felt Mia grip my hand, but she sounded like she yelled from deep inside a tunnel I couldn’t see the end of. All I could focus on was the door separating me from whoever waited outside. And Rip, the man standing between us and our demons.
After several seconds, he turned, his gaze passing over me as he glanced around the room, taking in everything and everyone still in the room. Before he went back to his office, Rip looked at me once more, giving me a concerned look.
“Jade!” Mia took my face in both her hands and forced me to look at her. “Hey! Eyes on me. Focus on me, Jade.” I sucked in a shuddering breath before letting out a small sob. “That’s it. You’re OK.” Mia smoothed my hair back from my face. “Let me get you some water.” She stood and crossed to the drink fridge.
I could tell she wanted to be anywhere but with me, but Mia would always be Mia. She’d never turn her back on someone if she thought they needed help. Even me.
The silence around me seemed almost as loud as the ringing in my ears from my panic attack. The few residents here had all moved to the safe room. Only me, Mia, and Rip remained.
“We’ve got the all clear from Knight,” Rip said softly. He glanced Mia’s way as he spoke, but his gaze came back to me. “Everything is fine. We had a door sensor trigger on the east wing. One of our newest little residents found the emergency door and went exploring.” I thought I heard a hint of amusement in this voice. “The guys are making a couple passes around the area. We’ve put an extra guy on the monitors until we’re absolutely sure. I won’t let anyone get to you.”
I couldn’t seem to look away from Rip. For some reason, I fully believed him. If Eric came for me, this man absolutely would stand between him and me.
Who was I kidding? Even if I somehow thought I deserved to be special, my past actions told the true story. Rip would stand between Eric and anyone he thought Eric threatened. I ducked my head.
Rip remained in front of the one-way glass, keeping an eye on the lobby while he went through screens on his tablet again.
My heartbeat was still jackhammering against my ribs. My hands were shaking worse than before. I pressed them flat on my thighs and tried to look like someone who had handled that reasonably well.
I had not handled that reasonably well. At all.
I stared at the water bottle in front of me. I hadn’t seen Mia place it on the table. I hadn’t even noticed when Rip had moved closer. My fingers hovered over the plastic, still trembling violently. Mia stood nearby and placed a hand on my shoulder.
I looked up, finding Rip’s gaze on me. He held mine for a beat of several seconds, studying me. He must have found what he needed because he gave me a slow nod and backed away. “Use your panic button if you need me. Even if you’re just scared. I’ll watch over you.” He sounded so sincere I nearly sobbed in both relief and despair.
My fingers closed around the bottle, their trembling temporarily stilled by the need to grip something solid. The plastic crackled slightly under my grip.
With Eric, every act of “kindness” had been a transaction. A down payment on future debt. Water when I was thirsty meant I owed him gratitude, meant I needed to make it up to him later. His gestures of care always came with invisible strings, subtle manipulations that I’d only recognize hours or days later when he’d remind me of his generosity and what I owed him in return.