Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
“I knew you’d run. Just didn’t think it would be so soon. Come out here, Luna.” He started to chuckle, and her heart beat faster. “Open the door like a good girl. I won’t hurt you. That is, not unless you beg.”
His voice sounded off-key, crazed even. God, had he finally snapped? Well, even more than normal?
Keeping quiet, she hoped he had left but knew that was a lost dream. This scenario was a long time in coming, but even knowing this, she wasn’t prepared. The handle jiggled once, and when he realized it was locked, he started beating on the door.
Thank the heavens she had been smart enough to turn the lock when she got home, but the thin barrier that currently kept him back wouldn’t hold for very long.
“Open. The. Fucking. Door!” He roared. Gripping the fork tighter, she braced herself. It would only be seconds before he busted through, and when he did, she needed to be ready to attack and run. Maximo slammed his body against the door.
The already rotting wood bowed forward. He did this over and over again, and when the strain became too much for the abused wood, it busted forward and large splinters flew in all directions. A crack of light filled the room. Maximo stumbled forward, his face bright red and covered in sweat.
He stood in the center of the room, and he clenched his hands as he frantically searched for her.
She stood perfectly still, not even daring to breathe, but it didn’t matter because, when he turned around and spotted her, his face broke out in a sick, predatory grin. Eyes blood-shot and glazed from his rage, he looked crazed.
He stepped closer, and the scent of bloonda berry liquor laced his breath. The very thought that he had partaken of the potent alcohol made her breath freeze in her lungs. Not only was the liquor rare and lethalbut it also altered a person’s perception and caused raw fury to overtake them.
That made Maximo’s normally rage-filled species even more unstable. The alcohol was illegal on fifteen different planets, including the one they were currently on, and that was saying a lot since nothing seemed to be illegal here.
“I had a few drinks with some Kleebo males.” He licked his dried lips and let his eyes move up and down her body in a disgustingly suggestive glare. “I went back for you, but you can imagine my surprise when I realized you left me.”
His words slurred together, but she knew he hadn’t meant the latter in the literal sense. The problem with bloonda liquor was that it hit hard and fast. It became more potent with each passing minute.
The longer she stayed in front of him, the more dangerous the situation became.
“I didn’t, Maximo.” Trying to keep her voice level and steady, she made herself appear calm when she was anything but. She needed to lie and make it believable. “I simply came home to freshen up. I intended to come back.”
He stared at her, his gaze traveling up and down her body once more. Her skin crawled. “You lie.” Spittle dripped from his mouth, and he advanced.
“Stay calm.” She internally winced at her choice of words. He stopped, gritted his teeth, and came forward again. That was probably not the smartest thing to say.
“I am calm, princess. I’m going to show you how calm I can be.” Lunging toward her, she dodged out of his grasp, but it was far too close for comfort since she felt the pads of his slimy fingers brush along her shoulder.
His roar of outrage seemed to rattle the walls. She turned, held the fork high in the air, and watched him unsteadily. His laughter was maniacal, loud, and cackling.
“What do you plan on using that for, Luna? Fork me to death?”
He lunged toward her again. Despite his intoxication, Maximo was quick. As he grabbed a handful of her hair, she cried out in pain. Lifting her arm high, she tried to blindly stab at him. Failing several times, she twisted in his arms until she could find a clear shot.
Without a second thought, Luna brought the fork down. She felt resistance and then heard him scream out in pain as the utensil hit its mark. The impact caused him to loosen his hold on her hair, and she slipped from his grasp.
Time was of the essence. Rushing toward the door, adrenalin pumped through her body. Just when she was almost free, Maximo tackled her from behind. Feet coming out from under her, she lifted her arms to shield herself as gravity and Maximo’s weight took her down.
Raw pain spread up her arm as something thick and sharp pierced her flesh. She was rolled over roughly. Maximo straddled her waist and slapped her across the face. The taste of blood filled her mouth.