Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
I may not know much about this world, but I know beauty is hidden in its cruelty. And when I look into her eyes, I see a world of possibilities. A world I’d like nothing more than to dive right into.
But the fear in her eyes reminds me of my place in this world. Of hers as they herd her out of the van and back into his clutches.
“These papers cost me my men,” Lex says as the door behind us closes, and we’re in his office again.
“I didn’t know they were going to be there,” Aurora says, panic lacing her voice.
My owner sits down at his desk and places the paper neatly in front of him, staring up at both of us like he’s questioning our motives. “But you liked the surprise, didn’t you?”
Her face contorts. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“Let’s be clear. There is only one thing I want,” he says. “Your father’s head on a silver platter.”
She swallows, her entire body beginning to shake. “I told you I would help you find him.”
“Good,” my owner answers. “Then our deal still stands.”
I swallow. What deal? Is this the conversation she talked about earlier? The one where she said she had to give up her own father in order to save herself from him?
“Unless you’d like to go back on your end of the agreement,” he muses.
“No,” she quickly replies.
The mere thought of him putting his hands on her makes my blood boil, and I could punch a hole into the wall beside me.
“Good. You’re lucky you found these papers for me,” my owner says. “Or your fate may not have been so fortunate.” He eyes me now. “You. You did well for once.”
That doesn’t sound at all like a compliment, but I’ll swallow it down as long as it leads to something good.
“I thought bringing you would only do me more harm than good, but it seems like you managed to sniff out intruders before anyone else noticed,” he says.
I didn’t sniff out anyone, but I do know what a trap is, and that place certainly smelled like it.
“You kept me out of harm’s way, and for that, you’ll be rewarded,” he says.
My ears perk up at the word reward.
“But first…” My owner snaps his fingers at one of his other guards. “Take her back to the cell.”
“What? But I helped you,” Aurora balks as the guard grabs her arm. “I did what you asked!”
“You didn’t bring me a PIN or my money,” my owner growls back. “You should count yourself lucky you’re still alive, thanks to my dog.”
Aurora grimaces as the guard drags her out the door, and I fight my body to stop myself from walking alongside her.
“Since you saved my life today, let me repay the favor, dog.” He snaps his fingers at his other guard. “It’s been a rough day. Have the maids prepare a bath in my guest chambers and see to it that the bed is made. And take care of his wounds, will you?”
A bed? A bath?
For me?
I’m dumbfounded by the sudden humane treatment, but when the door opens, and that same guard who hauled Aurora away comes back, a pang in my stomach prevents me from feeling anywhere near grateful.
“Sir,” I intervene. “Thank you, but—”
“But what?” my owner barks. “You prefer something else?”
“I want my cell.” I tug at my collar. “And this collar off.”
My owner looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You want to go back down there?” He laughs. “Well, I mean, I wasn’t going to let you stay in my guest chambers for more than a day, but if you’re so eager to go back down into that cage you call home, sure. Be my fucking guest.” He snaps his fingers and points at my neck. “Fix him up and take the damn dog back to his pen.”
He laughs again as the guard snarls at me the same way he always does when he’s about to pull out his stun gun.
“I won’t fight,” I say as they take me out of the room and one of the medics checks my wounds.
I hiss when he shoves something inside a hole in my arm and takes out a bullet, showing it to me like it’s some kind of prize I won.
“Just one this time, Beast. You’re lucky,” he muses, dropping it on a tray before sanitizing the skin around the wound and suturing it.
“Lucky …” I parrot, snorting.
“All done,” the medic says, and he gives the okay to the guard, who brings me back to that door again.
The door that leads straight down into hell.
But down there, in that place I so despise, she resides.
Waiting.
Yearning.
And there isn’t a fiber in my body that thinks about leaving her there on her own.
So I walk down the steps with my head held high, waiting until she finally comes into view.