Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Remy’s voice began to crack. I was in the process of reaching for him when Ronan’s hand closed over his shoulder. The contact had me burning with jealousy, even though the logical side of me knew the gesture meant nothing but offering comfort.
But that didn’t stop me from wanting to rip Ronan’s hand away.
Jesus, what the fuck was wrong with me?
“I’m sure she didn’t, Remy. I’ll check her over and we can draw some blood and run some tests, but the odds are slim, okay?”
I swore I saw Remy close his eyes and lean in toward the good-looking surgeon. That had my irritation spiking, so I got up and began pacing the space behind Remy’s chair. Ronan’s eyes latched onto mine, but his expression was unreadable.
Thankfully, though, he did remove his hand.
“I’m going to need to examine her, Remy,” Ronan said, but his eyes were still on me. It was like he knew things about me I didn’t want to admit to myself.
“Okay.”
I forced myself to return to the chair I’d been sitting in, but I couldn’t find it in me to sit. My hands felt restless, and since I couldn’t exactly light up a cigarette there in the kitchen, I wrapped my fingers around the back of the chair and focused on all the little divots and striations in the wood.
“Ronan,” I said to get his attention. When he looked at me, I softly said, “The pimp said Carla mentioned wanting to sell her.” I motioned to Violet with my chin. I hadn’t meant to look at her, but I ended up doing it anyway. Her head was propped on Remy’s shoulder and she still had my keychain clutched between her grubby fingers. She was the picture of innocence and the idea that someone might have touched her had me gripping the chair so hard, it was a miracle it didn’t break.
Remy didn’t respond to my comment, but he did drop his head so he was staring at the floor. Ronan managed to remain calm, but I didn’t miss the way his eyes hardened. He gave me a quick nod, then said to Remy, “I’ll go get my things, okay?”
Remy nodded but didn’t look up.
I returned to the chair and murmured, “No matter what, we’ll make sure no one ever hurts her again.” I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to touch his shoulder. I ended up skimming my fingers over Violet’s soft hair too.
Remy remained stiff as Ronan returned to the kitchen and suggested we move to his and Seth’s bedroom so the child would be more comfortable during the exam. Violet had awoken and was still playing with my keychain and showing it to Remy repeatedly, but he didn’t do anything more than mumble soft words to her that I couldn’t understand.
Ronan had Remy sit on the end of the bed with Violet on his lap and as he began his exam, he showed Violet all the instruments he was using. The toddler seemed wary, but Ronan’s patience and gentle demeanor won out.
Until the moment Remy had to put her down on the bed so Ronan could examine the little girl more closely. Fire and ice slid through my veins as I considered why all this was necessary in the first place. I wanted to hurt someone.
Bad.
My father had been like that… he’d hurt a lot of people. I’d always pretended I was different… that I could use my brain rather than my fists to outwit an opponent. But once my son had been taken from me, it’d taken every ounce of willpower not to seek answers with my fists. It would have been a satisfying route to take, but I’d known in my gut that it wouldn’t have gotten me any closer to rescuing my child.
He was safe now.
Violet too.
But the mere fact that there were men and women out there in the world who preyed on innocent children simply because they could made my mind go to places I’d sworn it never would.
“Luca…”
Remy’s soft voice tore me from the homicidal thoughts raging through me. I focused my gaze to see that he was watching me with what actually looked like concern.
It took me a moment to figure out why.
Because I was standing at Ronan’s back with my hands curled into fists as he leaned over Violet. I could only imagine the picture I made. Hell, I didn’t even remember moving from Remy’s side.
To Ronan’s credit, he stayed focused on Violet, but I had no doubt the man knew I was there… and why. I took several steps back. I could feel Remy’s eyes on me, but I was too ashamed to look at him. I turned away from the men when they began working to gently remove Violet’s dirty diaper. Violet’s tolerance chose that moment to wear out because she began crying and screaming. When I glanced over my shoulder at her, I saw her reaching for Remy. I wanted to grab her myself and get her out of there. It took every ounce of willpower I had to stay where I was.