Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
His hand brushes my hair from my eyes. “How did you get these?” he asks cautiously. I tense at his question as well as his touch as he traces a scar.
“You’ve been to one of Jake’s parties, correct? The ones where he goes and buys the women from their masters and brings them back, then he gives them a choice to pay off their debt but technically saving them from that life?” I inquire.
“Yes,” he answers.
“I was once one of those girls.”
“I had a feeling you were but didn’t want to ask.”
“Escaping is what I had to do or at least try. I always attempted to escape whenever the opportunity arose,” I explain as he wraps me into him, squeezing me a little closer. “So I got a whip for every escape attempt.”
“How many times did you try?” he asks.
“Thirteen.” I’ll never forget each and every one. It’s one of the reasons I was at those parties. My first owner would not have had me there, but I was scarred so much from him, so he sold me for a low price, and in turn, I was sold again to Jake. But the first owner thought he would get me back eventually. I was his, at least in his mind.
This was many, many years ago, and I can say that I am better. I enjoy sex now because I took control of it. I am better mentally and physically. But I still hide those scars and prefer not to be reminded of them.
It’s easier that way.
“Tell me the name of whoever it was,” he demands.
I shake my head. “No, I’m tired. And if I think of it before I go to sleep, I’ll have nightmares,” I tell him quietly.
“Tomorrow, then.”
“Yeah,” I say, agreeing. That’s all I can do. I get up, go into the bathroom, pull off my heels then quickly pee before I find a washcloth and wipe between my legs.
Grayson is half asleep when I return, but he lifts the covers for me to slide in. Then he tucks me in and pulls me to him.
“I’ve never shared a bed with a woman before,” he tells me.
“You ever fucked one of your staff before?” I ask.
“Ha, no way. You are the first and will be the last.”
His response causes warmth in my chest, and I close my eyes. It’s not long until I hear him drift off, and a low snore eventually comes. I stay there, watching the clock, waiting and waiting.
When over an hour has passed and he hasn’t moved, I slide slowly out of his hold. Swinging my legs silently off the bed, I turn back to see him still asleep. Breathing a sigh of relief, I grab my clothes and quickly change into what I can before I pack my suitcase and go to the door. When I look back, he hasn’t moved, still in the same position, fast asleep.
I’m not sure how things could be any different.
They’re simply not.
And it’s time for me to go.
I am a runner, after all.
It’s what I do best.
Chapter 20
Where, oh where is she?
Grayson
The bed is empty.
That’s my first thought when I reach my hand out across the mattress for Avani and find the bed cold.
She’s no longer there.
The sun hasn’t risen, so it’s still nighttime. Sitting up, I look for her bag and see it’s also gone.
She ran.
I should have known better.
Unfortunately, Avani doesn’t know me well enough to want to make a promise to me and keep it.
Even though a small part of me was hoping she would.
Getting out of bed and pulling on my clothes, something falls out of my pocket—a small piece of paper. Opening it, I see her handwriting.
Four simple words stare back at me.
* * *
Don’t look for me.
* * *
I would like to say I’m a man of my word, but let’s be real, I’m not. I’m a liar and a killer. So keeping my word isn’t high on my agenda.
I open the door and walk out, pressing call on her number as I do. A robotic-sounding recorded response is all I get. “Sorry, this phone number has been disconnected.”
Well, there you go. Of course, this woman has all the smarts, but I knew she did, didn’t I?
She’s probably done this before.
Multiple times.
And this time is simply the icing on the cake.
I call my brother. Jake answers and tells me he hasn’t heard from Avani, and if she is gone, not to search for her.
Easier said than done.
I will find her.
And I will get to keep her.
She’s the only thing in this life that has made me feel somewhat good.
Annoyed most of the time, but good.
I will find you, Avani.
Chapter 21
Dresses, yukk
Avani
One Year Later…
* * *
“Can I help you?” I greet the lady who walks into the store.
She smiles at me and heads straight over to the bridal area. My heels click as I follow after her on the marble floor.