Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
The dull noise of the bar was only a backdrop. He could call for help, he could try to crawl to the front of the building in hopes that someone might take pity on him, but he wasn’t insured, and the last thing he needed was some asshole calling an ambulance over a silly thing like this. He just needed to rest a bit.
A smile tugged at his mouth when he realized what the dark shape was. Leaning forward to grab his cell phone was a momentous task that made him spit some of the blood gathered on his tongue while every single piece of him moaned in protest, but he managed to finally curl his fingers around the device, and hugged it to his chest. Too bad it didn’t have a heartbeat to console him.
That was one of the things he’d discovered during his and Leo’s brief… whatever that had been. That listening to Leo’s pulse calmed him down. It was like the pleasant whisper of rain, but better because it came with a warm body wrapped around Zolt’s.
He took a deep breath, forcing down the ache caused by his beaten ribs expanding to make room for air in his lungs. He shouldn’t have come to this fucking bar tonight. He should’ve been in bed, with Leo hugging him tightly and leaving sweet kisses on his nape.
If only Zolt hadn’t been such a shit, that could have been his reality, and now, he was in pain, all alone and unable to drive home. And this experience hadn’t changed him. He was still a selfish asshole who wanted Leo with him, even though he knew what a toxic presence he was.
So he rolled to his back and chose Leo’s number.
Chapter 22 – Leo
Being ‘home’ felt like visiting another planet. He'd been gone for two months, yet all he could think of was how much he'd changed, how he wasn't the same man who'd left the clubhouse with trepidation in his heart. But it didn’t matter anymore. Without Zolt in the picture, Leo didn’t need to do a grand coming out or worry how the idea of Zolt prospecting for the club might go down. For all he knew, he was a number on Zolt’s list of sexual encounters and nothing more.
Too bad that for Leo, their time together had been life-altering.
“Are you even listening? Leo!” Dad rose from behind his desk and slammed his hands down, making the Coke tremble in his cup. “You were supposed to stay there or call us and wait for a replacement. What the actual fuck?”
“It’s gonna be fine until tomorrow, okay? I’m sorry I fucked up, but I’ve got my reasons. I’ll go and arrange someone myself! Get off my case!”
Dad stilled, his thick brows lowering over the piercing eyes, which, despite the difference in color, painfully reminded Leo of Zolt’s unflinching gaze as they parted.
“What happened? Did he… make a move on you?” Dad asked, his mouth twisting slightly, as if he were trying to hold back a scowl.
“No. It’s fine. I can handle my shit, okay? And if he had, I wouldn’t be running to Daddy for protection!” Leo spread his arms, more agitated by the second. His heart was rotting from inside out.
Dad lowered himself back into the seat, his rough fingertips tapping the wood. “You’re not often like this.”
Leo ran his hand through his hair, struggling with the need to run off. To be alone and not have to answer to anyone. He’d fallen in love with the worst possible man he could have chosen. Only that he’d never chosen Zolt. Love had hit him in the face like a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire.
“It’s been… a tough night. Dad, can we not go into detail? I’m just sick of staying there, and I’ll make sure someone replaces me tomorrow, okay?”
Dad took a deep breath, his gaze wandering over the papers and empty soda cans littering his desk. “I suppose he… he has a lot to lose if he goes against us. Fine. But deal with this first thing in the morning.”
“Thanks. I won’t let you down.” Leo nodded and tried to smile, even though his thoughts were trenched in tar. He was about to leave the office when Dad called him back.
“Wait. There’s more.”
Leo groaned. “What is it? Any more shit flying our way?”
Dad scowled. “We didn’t get to inform you yet, but the Jackals surrounded Jack’s house earlier. Trixie called us right away, but by the time we came over, those fuckers were gone. They’re getting bolder, and now they even stooped to intimidating families,” he said and swung his arm, shoving a whole collection of trash off the desktop.
Leo rubbed his forehead. “Fuck. If there’s any way I can help, tell me. But I don’t think we can avoid an all-out war with them, can we?”