Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Then again, what he is feeding me now is the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life. I’m not so sure how quickly I want to escape anymore. I had a hot shower for the first time in months.
I know my curiosity will get the best of me in the end because I want to know more about this handsome, mysterious man. He also might know what is happening to Laurel. Right now, he’s my best source of information on her.
I’m really in no rush to go anywhere now. While I might be here against my will, the accommodations are way more bougie than I’m used to. This place sure beats jumping from shelter to shelter every other week. You’re only allowed to stay for so long at each. I now thankfully have them on a rotation system that I set up to hop from one to another.
“What kind of dessert is this?” I ask, deciding I should start small, break down some of his walls so he might relax and trust me more. I’m sure he is trying to do the same. Will he get me to confess all my sins? Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?
I watch as a small smirk crosses his handsome face. I mean, I can’t help but notice how the man looks. I’m pretty sure that’s gotta be some sort of sin, but luckily for me, I’m not a believer of those types of things.
How could I be with the life I’ve been dealt? Parents who didn’t want me, shuffled from foster home to foster home until I was old enough to get out. Then again, I’ve been one of the lucky ones compared to others in the system. I got away without any real harm getting to me. Then I go and let myself jump right into a giant pile of it.
“I said come here and I’ll answer your questions.” I shuffle to the side of the bed. It makes my robe ride up. I catch his eyes lingering there for a moment before he makes himself look away. I pull the towel from my hair, giving it one last dry before I toss it back onto the bed and go to him. “It’s a red velvet tart,” he says when I sit down on the bench in front of the window. The sun slowly disappears. In my experience, I know that’s when darkness always comes out to play.
“You drugged it? Then you can have your way with me.” His mouth forms a line. I notice he does that when he wants to mask whatever emotion might try to show on his face.
“Is that why you barely ate your dinner?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
He picks up a fork and cuts off a piece himself. I watch him chew and swallow it.
“Perfectly safe.” He goes to cut off another bite. “Why didn’t you eat the other food then?”
“It’s hard to eat when your stomach is in knots.”
“I’m not going to harm you.” He brings the bite to my mouth. My worry isn’t about me. I’m in a fluffy robe in a room fit for a queen. It’s my friend I worry for.
“Because you’re a man of the cloth? It would be breaking the rules.” I lean in and take the bite. A small moan leaves me when the sweetness explodes over my tongue. He sucks in a deep breath at the sounds I’m making.
“No, that is not why I wouldn’t hurt you.” He answers my question.
“But—”
“We both can read the same words or see the same event unfold in front of us, but our experience is unlike the others. Everyone interprets things differently.”
Why have I never thought of it that way before? He’s right.
“We both can stand and watch a man die. Some might cheer in justice while others might weep in sorrow.”
“Who are you?” I don’t understand this man. He pulls at his collar.
“I merely keep the peace.” A gatekeeper of sorts? Maybe a reaper at times?
“At what cost?”
“All costs.” He brings another bite to my mouth.
“Could the cost be Laurel?”
“I think your friend is a bigger threat than Santino at the moment.” How could that be?
“To who?” My mind races with ideas. Why would Santino take her? There is no reason. He got her father’s shop. The only thing that makes sense is that Santino wants her for himself.
“Everyone. Now open for me.” I part my lips and take the bite. His words only confirm what I was speculating. “What is your name?”
“I thought I was the one asking the questions.” I peek over at him. His eyes never leave me. He watches me so closely. I find that I like his attention on me, which is absolutely insane. “I don’t know. They never could figure out where I came from, so I guess I got a state name. Even had to guess my birthdate. Doesn’t matter.” I shrug. “Call me whatever.” I stare out the window, the sun almost gone. It’s not as though anyone is going to come looking for me.