Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“You gonna hold off a while?” It wasn’t what I’d do, but Thorn was more methodical than I was.
“Yes. I want that little shit to suffer knowing what’s about to happen but not knowing when it will. If I’m right, he’ll doze off once the adrenaline high wears off. Then he’ll be confused and disoriented. It’ll be just one more way to scare the truth out of him maybe.”
“You gonna need to talk to Emmanuell first?”
There was silence while Thorn thought for a moment. “It would probably be best. I like to hear both sides together, but Lucy said she wasn’t sure if the girl was up to it yet.”
“I’m bringing food to her room. Maybe if you brought Mariana with you?”
“My wife’s still recovering. I’ll not have her out of bed until Doc says she’s good. I’ll bring Lucy and ask Tobias to bring Kitty. Vicious will be a good help, too.” I heard Thorn sigh. “This is a fuckin’ shit show. Girl’s been missin’ for months and turns up here.”
“Maybe there’s more than we’re seeing. Though, I gotta admit, I’m solidly in Emmanuell’s corner. I don’t see anyone with her upbringing willingly being in the situation we found her in. She’s the real deal, in my opinion. Only the details need to be hammered out.”
“Need you to get on that, brother. It’s your territory.”
“Already on it. I have some searches going, as well as a little security breaching in her father’s lawyer’s office and personal accounts. Everything he’s into I’ll soon know about.”
“Good. Give me thirty minutes. I’ll meet you in her room.”
“Make it an hour,” I said. “Girl needs food first. I doubt she’s eaten more than snacks or garbage in days.”
“That bad?”
“She’s tried her best, but she’s definitely homeless and penniless. Mentioned coins by public fountains so she’s at least learned some of the tricks of being on the streets. My main concern is getting her fed and to Doc. She needs him to check her and the baby over.”
“You seem to be taking a pretty intensive interest in this girl. You know her?’
“No.” If Thorn suspected she’d gotten under my skin, he’d take every opportunity to throw us together. I might be protective of her -- any man worth his salt would be -- but she was an heiress. I was a scarred biker with one leg. We didn’t go together. “I just don’t like someone weaker than me being kicked while she’s down.”
Thorn grunted. “Fine, then. I’ll see you in an hour.”
There were slim pickings left downstairs, but I managed to round up two hamburgers, a hotdog, and a large spoonful each of baked beans and potato salad. I thought about snagging a soda, but that didn’t seem good for the baby. So I grabbed a bottle of water and a jug of milk with a glass. I got a club girl, Retta, to help me take it all upstairs. Didn’t take me long to realize my mistake.
I opened the door, and Retta pushed her way inside and put her load on the table. “Wow! Did you get this room all for me?”
“No,” I said, hoping she’d take the hint.
“Oh! You’re staying here with me!” She threw herself in my arms, fusing her mouth to mine. I grasped her hips and pushed her away, but I heard Emmanuell behind me before I got Retta off me.
“I’m sorry,” Emmanuell said softly. “I didn’t intend to… That is, I should go. I don’t want to interrupt.”
“You’re not,” I said, giving Retta a scathing look. “Retta was just leaving and not coming back. Ever.” I swiped my forearm over my mouth for good measure. Retta just smiled and waved. “See you at the party, Ripper.”
I turned back to Emmanuell. She had dressed in a pair of white cotton pants that came just below her knees and a pink maternity top with daisies on it. Her hair was shiny and springy with little ringlets as it dried around her face. She looked so beautiful it made my heart hurt.
“Better?” I managed to get out.
“Yeah,” she said, not meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not. She’s trying to stake a claim on somethin’ that ain’t hers.”
Emmanuell shrugged. “It’s not my business,” she said softly.
Yeah. Not the way I wanted to start this. She already didn’t want to be here. The very last thing she needed was to feel like she was in the way.
“Come on,” I said, holding out my hand for her. “I’ve got you some burgers and hotdogs. Ain’t much, but it’s filling.”
She took my hand automatically. The second she did, I knew I was in real trouble. Her hand was calloused but delicate. Her fingers slim as they closed around mine. The closer she got, the more her scent enveloped me. I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her. See if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.