Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
The lions are a hot conversation topic, so any mention of them gets my attention.
I couldn’t believe it when Vincent ordered me to go with him today. He never lets me leave the homestead. He never lets me speak to other people. He never lets me go anywhere. He never lets me interact with strangers. And he sure as hell in a million years wouldn’t let me walk off with these people he doesn’t know.
What does he have up his sleeve? I don’t like it. I’m nervous.
Orion rubs his stomach. “A sandwich sounds like heaven right about now. Too bad I need to get over to the east grove of trees instead. I’ll drop the ladies off at the house for you two, though.”
He doesn’t hesitate. In fact, he’s already turning and walking quickly before Vincent can respond.
I hold my breath. There’s no way in hell Vincent is going to let me get in a truck with these strangers.
And yet, he grips my arm painfully, one more time, and growls at me. “Make a good impression. Understand?”
His voice is low, imperceptible. Except I hear him fine.
I hold my breath as I follow Brea and Orion toward a big black truck. It’s nearly new and has a back seat, but Brea takes my good hand and leads me around to the passenger side.
I’m far enough away from Vincent and well enough hidden by the truck that he must not notice soon enough that Brea helps me up into the cab in front of her and climbs in behind me, causing me to sit in the middle between her and Orion.
I don’t dare look out the driver’s window. I know if I do, I’ll find Vincent having a silent meltdown. And I don’t fully exhale until Orion has pulled the truck away from the logging site.
As soon as we’re out of sight, Orion turns to me and says, “Breathe, Little doll. He’s never going to hurt you again.”
His words are shocking. I don’t understand him. I jerk my head around to look out the back of the cab. I truly am out of Vincent’s sight, but that doesn’t mean shit. I can’t let my guard down. He’ll kill me. Perhaps literally.
I look down at my lap, confused and embarrassed. “I don’t know what you mean,” I mutter.
Brea gently touches my elbow. “How badly is your arm injured?” she asks softly.
I jerk my gaze toward her. “My arm?” How did she figure that out? Vincent will have me hanged if anyone discovers I’m injured.
Orion grips the steering wheel hard, the muscles in his forearm flexing. He’s wearing a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up part way. There’s something mesmerizing about his wrists and huge hands.
He glances at me. “You don’t have to hide your injury from us, Little doll. We’re going to help you. I’m going to help you.”
That’s twice he’s called me Little doll. It’s so odd and sends shivers down my spine. His endearment is obviously just something he says flippantly. It doesn’t mean anything. And yet, I love it.
“I’m fine,” I whisper. I shouldn’t be talking to these people. If they tell Vincent I spoke to them…
Suddenly, I’m in a total panic. “This is a bad idea. I should go back.”
Orion pulls the truck over to the edge of the road and puts it in park before turning toward me. For a moment, I think he’s going to honor my request, which makes my stomach plummet. I never want to go back to Vincent, but obviously I have to at some point, and the longer I’m separated from him, the more he will accuse me of.
Orion carefully picks up my left hand—my uninjured arm. He shocks me when he brings my fingers to his face and rubs my knuckles over his bearded cheek.
My jaw drops as I stare directly at him, my eyes wide.
“There are a million things I want to say, Little doll, but please let me get us farther away before I say them.”
It feels so good to have someone touch me with such kindness. He looks me in the eyes like I matter, and his words are gentle.
I swallow hard, my heart racing as I glance over my shoulder again. “He’ll kill me.” I gasp. Why did I say that? I purse my lips and yank my hand out of Orion’s grip. “I didn’t mean that,” I say toward my lap.
“I think you did, Little doll,” Orion whispers. This time, he reaches up and strokes a finger down my cheek. He even tries to tuck my hair behind my ear. “And I’m bigger than him, Cora. He’s nothing but a bully. He will not hurt you ever again. You have my word.”
I start shaking. “You don’t understand,” I mumble.
“It’s you who doesn’t understand, Little doll. And I can’t blame you. You don’t know the ways of my people. The customs of lion shifters. I will fill you in, but first, we need to get away from here. Please, Little doll. Trust me.”