Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Charlotte…
She’s a mess.
Where Penny is dead-ass expressionless, Charlotte can’t stop crying. I know this shit messes with her because she went through something similar with Ryan. Hollis, now that he’s not in EMT mode, has been pacing, ripping at his hair as fury consumes him.
The guys haven’t made it back yet.
I’m itching to hop back in Penny’s Jeep and drive my ass back to help put the hurt on that asshole. Just when I think I might do just that, they show back up.
All three of them are splattered with blood.
“Paxton? Eli?” I ask, hoping like fuck the answer is yes.
“No, man. Just their pussy friend, Aaron.” Cal plops down on the sofa next to Charlotte. “You okay, Charlie girl?”
She nods and leans into him. “I’m worried about Penny.”
“I said I’m fine,” Penny snaps. “I just…I want to shower.”
“Come on,” I say, offering my hand. “I’ll help you.”
A hand fists my shirt. “You’re not helping my sister in the shower.” Fucking rat.
“No shit, Sherlock,” I grind out. “I’m just going to get the shower going and grab her some clothes. Back off.”
Roan calls him off. Hollis scowls at me, but doesn’t stop me when I pull Penny to her feet. I curl an arm around her waist, guiding her out of the living room. Once in the bathroom, I get the shower started. I locate a towel and then leave her to find some clothes. When I return, Charlotte meets me at the bathroom door with some makeup remover and girly shampoo shit. I take it from her and then push into the bathroom.
Penny stands in the same place I left her. Head bowed, body tense, trembling, bat still in hand. I set the things down on the counter before closing the door behind me. Her eyes are caked with mascara and that shit isn’t coming off with soap. I grab one of the pads Charlotte gave me and turn Penny to face me.
“Close your eyes,” I murmur.
Her eyes fall closed as I set to removing the makeup. I expect tears or a fracture in her façade. Nothing. Penny gives me nothing. If I know my girl, her walls have erected all the way up to heaven.
Good thing I know how to dig.
I’ll dig right under her walls every goddamn time. Deep, so deep with Penny. I will find her.
“You’re good. Water is hot. Holler if you need me.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be right outside that door.”
A tiny whimper claws up her throat, making me stall.
“You’re safe now, Penny.” I gently take the bat from her grip and lean it against the counter. “Get undressed and cleaned up.”
She reaches for her zipper, but her hand trembles too wildly to grab onto it. Without thinking, I grab the zipper and drag it down to help. As soon as I realize what I’ve done, I freeze. The last thing she needs right now is a guy trying to take her dress off. She grabs the dress before it falls to the floor, barely keeping her chest covered.
“I’ll be right out there,” I vow.
When she gives me a clipped nod, I leave her be. By the time I make it out of the bathroom, Tierra has been moved to the couch and given a pillow and blanket. Charlotte must be in Cal’s room, and everyone else is gone. Cal paces the living room, his body coiled and ready for a fight.
“I’m not letting this shit go,” he growls. “Eli and Paxton are both fuckfaces who have messed with Charlotte before. Penny too. I’ll be goddamned if I let them get away with this.”
“We won’t,” I vow. “Go shower off that blood and get to sleep. I’ve got Penny. Is Charlotte okay?”
“She will be. I just hate that this was a fucking reminder of what Ryan did to her.” His jaw clenches. “I will kill those bastards. I don’t even give a fuck if I go to prison.”
I know he’s dead serious too.
“Yeah, man. I hear you. Go to bed.”
After he walks off, I turn off the lights and lock up. I undress and pull on some basketball shorts just as the shower shuts off. I want to go help her, but I know Penny. She needs space. I’ll give her what she needs.
Quickly, I flip off the overhead light and leave just the bedside lamp on as I crawl into bed. She remains in the bathroom for nearly an hour. I’m about to check on her when the bedroom door opens.
She wears my T-shirt. It’s huge and hits her at her knees. In her hands are my sweatpants. “Too big,” she croaks out, tossing the pants on a chair.
Earlier, she was outwardly wrecked. Now, she’s clean and fresh-faced, but her eyes are what’s damaged.
She crawls into the bed, drawing the covers all the way up to her chin as she stares at the celling. Rather than yanking her to me like I want to, I pick up my phone. I find the music app and turn on her favorite.