Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
“That you know of.”
“What have you heard about Sunny specifically? His crimes, River. His enemies.”
“Kenzie, why—? Oh,” he said, shaking his head. “I see what’s going on here.”
“What do you mean?”
A wry smirk twisted his lips. “You clocked the Caddell suit and said to yourself, ‘gee, I bet this guy’ll be plenty grateful to his rescuer. Grateful enough to float a few thousand bills my way for saving his life.’ That’s why you won’t turn him over to me. You have to be the first face he sees when he wakes up.” River snorted. “Wow, Kenzie. Have you ever considered helping without the expectation of something in return?”
“Fuck you.” Spitting anger was a sharp reminder of why River and I haven’t banged it out. The guy could get under my skin worse than a capillary. “That’s not why I’m helping him. I know what it’s like to be judged by the sins of my parents. So far, you’ve told me nothing that explains why I should hand over a broken, helpless man just so you can have the son of the Merchant family owe you a favor.”
That charming smile returned. “I’m rubbing off on you.”
“Get out.”
“As you wish.” He swept a bow. “I’m taking my guys with me. Don’t request another favor until this one is paid up.” River looked to Sunny and his mouth twitched, grin vanishing for a second. “Consider if he’s worth your name in red in my books.”
“You still here?”
“Always a pleasure.” River blew me a kiss out the door.
Brushing Sunny’s hair back, I sighed. “Son of the Merchants, huh? You are an intriguing mystery.”
I GENTLY SHOOK SUNNY’S shoulder. “Hey, wake up. Doc says if you sleep any longer, it’s a bad sign.”
He groaned deep and long.
“Don’t go dying on me after all I’ve done to keep you alive.”
His eyes shot open, reeling me off the edge of the backboard. Oddly silver orbs fixed on me as I straightened.
“Hello,” I said, suddenly nervous.
“Angel,” he whispered, brushing the back of his fingers down my cheek. “My angel.”
“Flatterer.”
Sienna was off wandering the factory, eating the last of her sub and humming a song that bounced among the beams, filling the dreary place with a lovely melody.
He let me pull the covers up to his chin. “I’m told your name is Sunny.”
“You have me... at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”
“Mackenzie Blaine. Everyone calls me Kenzie.”
“Kenzie.” He rolled my name on his tongue like he enjoyed the way it tasted. “Was your doctor friend that put out by... the little scalpel to his neck that he downgraded us to... this shithole?”
Sunny grimaced. With consciousness came pain.
“I’m not going to ask about the scalpel. But no, we’re in this shithole because it’s the only place I could take you. I’m afraid you fell on my home.”
“Yes...” His eyes glazed. “I remember... falling.”
I sat up straighter. “Do you remember who pushed you? I saw their face for a moment but—”
“You saw their face?” Sunny shot up and cried out, clutching his side.
“Easy.” I guided him down. “You were thrown off a bridge and sliced open in the space of a day. Give yourself a minute.”
“Not a bad idea.” Chest heaving, his eyes opened and closed in preparation of sending him back to sleep.
“It was only a glimpse. Pale face, bald, older, creepy eyes. Ring any bells?”
“No.” Sunny slid his hand under mine. “But he could’ve been hired. Would you recognize him if you saw him again?”
“Absolutely.”
Sunny’s breaths evened out—soft and slow as he relaxed, shutting his eyes. My pulse had the opposite reaction to his thumb stroking my palm.
“I owe you more than I can repay, Kenzie Blaine. You are gorgeous, by the way. Whatever you want, name it and it’s yours.”
“Let’s focus on getting you on your feet first.” I pulled away, holding my hands to my chest where he couldn’t reach them. My palm tingled strangely. “How do I reach your family so they can get you home? A disused factory floor isn’t the best place to recover.”
“Wallet and phone gone?”
“Yes.”
“Got money for a pay phone?”
I looked away. “No.”
“What’s your view on stealing a phone?”
“Dim.”
He started to chuckle and quickly cut himself off, groaning. “I’m told asking has been known to work.”
“Not when there’s dirt in your hair and rags on your body. People give me a wide berth. They’re not about to let me use their phone.”
“Then don’t worry about it. When I can move, I’ll take myself home.”
“I can get your family here, Sunny. They must be looking for you too. Tell me where they live and I’ll bring them.”
He was shaking his head before I finished the sentence. “The compound is closed to visitors, Angel. No exceptions. You’ll never get in.”
Compound?
“I could send you to his business, but in the time it’d take for him to vet your story and decide you can be trusted, I’ll be river dancing around this place. I can wait, just— Damn, I’m starved.”