Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
The marks on her ankles, knees, and wrists make me want to burn the world down for her, and it easily cements my feelings for her. I've come across a lot of injured women during my time in the military and the training work I did with Cerberus before coming to Vegas, and as angry as seeing them has made me, it never had this level of an impact on me.
She clings to me as we make our way out of the room and down the stairs. I hate that I'm stuck driving the SUV back to the villa rather than holding her in my arms, but Twisted put Morgan in my vehicle, making me responsible for both of them, which I think provides Kaylee some comfort.
"Where is he going?" Morgan asks when Twisted simply dips his head and walks away.
"There's still a lot of work to do," I tell her, but I don't feel the itch to go help them right now.
All I want to do is get my girl back home where I know she'll be safe.
Chapter 38
Kaylee
"How is she?"
I jolt at the sound of the voice.
"Sorry," Ellis says as he pushes himself off the wall across from the room I just left Morgan in.
"I'm jumpy," I explain, giving him a small smile.
"Understandable," he says.
"She's finally asleep, but I think she took something to help her get there."
"I can't even imagine going through something like what you've been through tonight, Kaylee. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be alright," I assure him, stepping forward and not missing a beat to walk into his chest when he holds his arms open for me. "Did they find anything out?"
"No," he says, and I can tell by the tone in his voice that he isn't really impressed with the lack of information they've been able to find on this guy.
"What aren't you saying?"
"Let's go to our room," he says, turning us and guiding me further down the hall.
I smile when I think about the availability now of an empty room but when I came to the villa, there weren't any. I can't say I'm upset that I spent my time in the same room as him rather than being alone in a different one.
Once closed inside our room, he holds me at arm's length, once again looking over my body to make sure I'm as okay as I've been telling him I am.
"I'm fine," I assure him, but I know he can see that I'm not exactly sure if that's true.
I know the mental damage of what happened tonight will linger for a long time, but I don't know how to assure him that I feel completely safe with him. I know he'd sacrifice his own safety to ensure mine, and that will go a very long way in healing me.
"He's a professional," he mutters after a long beat of silence.
"What does that mean?" I whisper, my arms coming up to wrap around my body, another hint of fear hitting me in the chest.
"It means they found no trace of him. There were no fingerprints and no video images. He knew where to stand and how to approach the house to avoid detection. We don't think he's linked to Dima Tkachenko. He's too skilled."
"So he's worse than those guys?" I presume.
He swallows as his eyes search mine. "Possibly."
"What does that mean for Morgan?"
He shakes his head. "I don't know."
I cover my mouth with my hand, fear threatening to take over every sense.
He pulls me to his chest once again. "You're safe here. She's safe here."
He doesn't know Morgan as well as I do. Fear won't keep her here. Boredom will win out, and she'll put herself in danger in order to feel alive. She may be safe right now, but tomorrow will be a totally different day.
His hand is warm on my face, and I look up at him when he urges my gaze in that direction.
"I'll never let any harm come to you, ever again. You're mine, Kaylee. Mine to protect." His thumb swipes slowly over my cheek, pulling the tears from my face. "Mine to love."
"Ellis," I whisper, my eyes blinking a few more tears free.
His lips meet mine, and although it has been the most insane night, this feels right, me in his arms, his promises filling the air around us. I no longer doubt this man, and I hate that I allowed something as simple as miscommunication and trauma from my past a chance to ruin what we have. I don't know what I would've done if I had lost him forever. I do know that I would've spent a very long time miserable, and there's a good chance I never would've been happy again.
"I'm so sorry," I say, a sob getting caught in my throat.
"No," he whispers, his other hand coming up to cup the opposite side of my face. "We're not going to make apologies. I want to move forward, Kaylee. We don't have to dwell on the past mistakes we've made."