Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“What deal are you offering?” I ask him. I don't have anything to bargain with, but I need to know the terms if I'm going to make a deal with the devil.
He gives me an asymmetrical grin and says, “I have enough information on his contacts and operations that if they were to get into the wrong hands, or the right hands, well it would do me well to see that happen.” Gabriel smiles at me and relaxes in his seat. “He dies, and everyone in this business knows that you did it and I had nothing to do with it.” He holds my gaze. “And the information I give to you, you got from him.”
“Is that all?” I ask. For the first time in years, I feel like I've made progress in this case. I'm focused on revenge and finally ending this.
“That, and the fact you’ve never met me or my Talia. You’ve never been here, and you don’t know what they’re talking about.” He leans back in his seat. “I want this to be a win, win, win for me, Kade. If you make that happen, we’ll part dear friends.” He gives me a wide smile and says, “In fact, I’ll owe you one.”
“I’ll make sure it happens,” I say. I’m eager to accept his deal and finally see a way out of this. But first I need Olivia away from all this. I need her safe. For all I know, Stone will kill me before I can kill him.
Or Gabriel will, once I’ve done his dirty work for him.
Olivia
“I’m sorry, angel.” I think I hear Kade’s voice, but my eyelids are so heavy. I feel his small kiss on my forehead. I try to get up so I can kneel for him, but my body doesn’t quite respond. I moan out for him, but they aren’t the words I want. My head falls to the side.
“It’ll wear off soon.” I hear his voice, but I don’t understand.
“I promise you, I’ll keep you safe.” I can feel his body carry me away, but I don’t know where to. I can feel a cold breeze on my face, and the sounds of car doors opening.
Outside? Are we leaving? I try to ask, but I can’t.
Kade sets me down against leather, and the sounds of a car starting make me realize we are leaving. I want to ask where, but I can’t.
I try to roll my body and ask him, but I’m so heavy.
His hand cups my face and he kisses me. His comforting touch puts me at ease.
“Sleep, angel,” I hear him say. I’d nod my head if I could. I want to sleep. My body’s so tired.
As I drift off into a deep sleep, I swear I hear him say, “Forgive me, angel,” and even softer, “I love you.”
But I’m not certain of anything. It all feels like a dream.
My body stirs with the need to wake up. I've been asleep too long.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Ugh. My head hurts so much.
I try to lift my body off this hard mattress, but my body is sore and the bright lights make me wince. Beep. Beep. Beep.
What is that noise? My head’s killing me.
I slowly open my eyes and my body tenses. What the fuck? I’m in a hospital room.
“Kade!” I call out as I bolt upright in the seat.
My head’s so dizzy I nearly fall back. I grip onto the cold steel bars on either side of the bed to steady myself. A nurse rushes in through the door, followed by another.
“Miss, please, lie back.” She puts her hands on mine and I look around the room as she lays me back against the bed. I don't fight her, but I'm scared. What the fuck am I doing in a hospital?
“Where am I?” I ask her as easily as I can.
“You’re at Union Hospital. You were admitted early this morning.” My heart beats faster as I try to recall what happened. But I don’t know. I don’t understand.
“You had some drugs in your system, including rufilin. Can you tell me if you recall anything about last night?”
My body tenses as I shake my head. I don’t understand what’s going on.
“I don’t,” I say as I stare at the back wall.
Is this my freedom? He drugged me and left me at a hospital? Is he gone? Tears prick my eyes. He didn’t even say goodbye.
I begged him to leave, but I didn't want this. This hurts. My heart literally hurts.
The nurse pulls up a stool next to the bed as the other gives me a small smile and closes the door behind her. She seems less anxious now that I’m not trying to escape.
“We were able to identify you from your license that was in your pocket, but could you tell me your name?”