Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Nate and Hale are quick to act, silently aiding me with no further objections or questions. Hale’s shorter than the two of us, a stocky guy who doesn’t mind cleaning up messes. But I swear he pissed himself. I can fucking smell it through the faded blue jeans before I spot a stain on the denim.
There’s not much focus on him, though, not with her there, barely coherent.
She’s limp and her entire body trembles. Her breathing is labored by the time her body’s removed. Deep gouges are evident around her wrists and ankles from her attempts to pull away.
“Declan,” she barely manages, her head falling into the crook of my neck. Soaking wet, heavier from the water, and trembling from the cold, I don’t think twice about getting her out and saving her. She’s unconscious by the time I’ve pulled her from the cage.
As I climb out of the tub, Nate offers a hand to help me and with Braelynn braced on my left side, I land a punch to his jaw, quick and hard.
He’s damn lucky I didn’t have the gun in my hand still.
The only thing that saves Nate is the fact that he grabs some towels and a thick blanket. “We tried, Boss,” Hale tells me, his eyes wide and the uncertainty and confusion evident. “We added ice but she—”
“I told you not to—” I start but can’t finish. Nate stares back at me, hunched over with his hand on his jaw and just as shocked as Hale is. With water seeping into my shirt, I hold Braelynn close to me as I realize what I’ve done.
“I’m sorry, Boss, I—” Nate starts and stares back at me, “I don’t …”
They were just doing their job. Reality sinks in. They were doing what they were fucking told. I glance at Ronnie, dead on the floor, his wide eyes still open as he lies there.
“Clean him up.”
“Yes, Boss,” they answer in unison.
My heart hammers hard as I hold her in my arms.
What the fuck just happened? What the hell have I done?
DECLAN
Everything is a blur.
With adrenaline surging and a mix of emotions that floods through my conscious decisions, I’m barely aware of anything other than her shivering, soaking wet body that clings to me. The only constant is the soft whimper that spills from her chilled lips down the crook of my neck, like one of a wounded animal, as we enter the kitchen.
We’re no longer in the business wing of the estate. The massive space is shared among the family and my brothers’ voices echo out as we cross the threshold. The rough laughter of siblings fucking around, joking without a single worry, is instantly iced over upon my entry.
“What the fuck?” Jase’s murmur to my left is almost drowned out by the sound of the chair grinding against the walnut floors.
“What’s going on?” Daniel questions from the opposite side of the island where Carter, Jase and Daniel all watch.
Carter, my oldest brother, is quiet but his lethal gaze bores into me.
“She’s freezing,” I start, becoming more and more annoyed every second they’re just standing there. I can barely contain myself and they were laughing. “Help me!” I command and they stare back at me in shock.
Anger brims as her body shudders against me.
Her eyes dart around with fear as she catches sight of them behind me.
“Help me,” I whisper, pulling at the straps of her black dress. “I need a blanket,” I add, speaking louder, clearer. And to my left, no one moves.
They all stare, bewildered, only watching.
“Get me a fucking blanket!” I scream, the command ripping its way up my hoarse throat.
All the expensive granite and shiny steel of the black and white modern kitchen can’t help her. Why did I come here? Why, of all places, did I come to where I knew they were, when they’re the reason this happened?
Daniel moves instantly, nearly knocking over Jase. Him leaving to help, him reacting eases a fraction of the panic. Only a fraction, though, and her head lolls to one side, unable to remain upright.
“She needs something hot.” Jase’s words are almost unheard as he moves to the pantry. The cabinet opening is louder than his comment.
“Soup,” I answer him with my head spinning.
What the fuck have I done? I don’t even know. I peel her clothes from her, knowing she’ll warm up faster without them.
She’s a rat. They know she is. Why did I come here?
Swallowing thickly as I rock her gently, I’m acutely aware of the fact that I want to deny it all. It doesn’t go unnoticed that Carter is still behind me. As the drenched clothes slap against the floor, Braelynn presses herself against me and at first I think it’s to shield herself from them, but as her icy cold body clings to mine and tears leak from the corners of her eyes, I think it’s simply an effort to survive.