Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
He sets me on my feet, then grasps the hem of his shirt, lifts it over his head, and proceeds to place it on me. I didn’t realize my teeth were chattering until he did that.
“We can discuss it later. First, we need to get you home and into the shower to warm you up.” His scent envelops me as he wraps an arm around my waist and guides me to the car. When we reach it, I look back over my shoulder.
“I don’t like her out there, with him.”
“I’ll stay,” Boston offers, and I give him a small, appreciative smile.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He nods and then turns to Arlo as I get in the car.
When I’m seated, Arlo closes the door and then rounds the front to the driver’s side. He starts the engine, then turns on the heat and seat warmers. “I have to speak to Boston. Will you be okay?” I nod, and he studies me for a moment, his brows twisting before he finally closes the door and meets Boston near the rear of the car.
I turn in my seat to see them both staring back at the woods before facing one another. Arlo says something to Boston, then he gets into the car.
“Are you warm?” he asks.
“Is Delaney warm?” I shoot back.
“Boston will take care of her,” he assures me, his tone softer than I’ve ever heard before.
“He’s a crooked cop, isn’t he?” As we drive away, I glance in the side-view mirror and see Boston heading back into the woods. I never want to see this place again.
“Yes, I guess he is.”
“And this place is where the hunts are held?”
His hands tense on the steering wheel at my question. “What did he tell you?”
“That you like to choke women,” I tell him, remembering what Rylas said. “That you’re one to follow the rules.”
“That is true… was true. But you’re my only exception. I broke all my own rules for you.” He says it as if it’s a fact he’s carried around for a while, something settled and certain in his mind. And maybe it shouldn’t mean so much, but somehow, it does. His words settle into a space I didn’t realize was so hollow. They make me feel less alone.
Not fixed. Not suddenly, okay. But seen.
“You choke me,” I state.
“I know. And you enjoy it.”
We both go quiet after that, the only sounds coming from the car itself.
When we get to my street, I turn to face him. “I need to sleep, and then we need to talk. I need to know what’s happening,” I tell him.
He answers with a simple, “Okay, but I need that arm fixed.” I glance down, and immediately, it starts to sting.
When we pull up outside of my apartment, I don’t bother waiting for him to open the door for me. I step out of the car, and the cold breeze hits me. Thankfully, I still have his shirt on.
He strides up to the building’s entrance and, producing a key from somewhere, unlocks the door, then waits for me to follow. I’m covered in dirt, and I didn’t notice until now that my shoes are missing.
I try not to let the emotions explode out of me, even though they’re bubbling just below the surface. My best friend, one of the only people I trusted in this world, is no longer with me. And it’s all thanks to a coward of a man who, if he weren’t already dead, I would find the worst way to make him suffer before he dies. Believe me, I understand that’s wrong on so many levels, but when someone is as evil as he is, I think they deserve to die. And truth be told, I’m glad he’s not breathing the same air as me anymore.
Entering my apartment, Arlo doesn’t wait for instructions.
“Sit,” he says. “I have someone coming to look at your arm, and then we can shower.”
A knock sounds on the door, and I jump.
He notices and touches me ever so softly. “It’s just the doctor for your arm.” He waits for me to nod my head before he walks off and lets someone in. The man is dressed in blue scrubs as if he has just come directly from the hospital. He doesn’t ask questions as Arlo tells him where the problem is, although I am pretty sure it’s obvious. I stare at Arlo as he starts to work on my arm. He watches me back with curious eyes until the doctor stands, and Arlo walks him out. Once the door is shut, I hear him lock it before he kicks off his shoes, then heads straight through my bedroom and into my bathroom, where he immediately starts the shower. Then he drops his pants, and I can’t look away.
At first, I’m hesitant, but then his hands find the hem of his shirt, and he gently slips it off me before he unzips the back of my skirt and pulls it down, along with my panties.