Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
We’ll see. He wasn’t enthused.
“Well, congrats I guess, sis.” Dominic gives me a hug, as Darrell chatters away at Tigor.
“Thanks. Things kind of went fast.”
Dominic nods. “Well, as we know, never know what a shit show tomorrow is going to be, so grab that happy bull by the horns and ride it into the sunset.”
I chuckle as he grabs an envelope from the counter. “I went and picked this up earlier. It’s the official deed to the house. Showing us both as owners. If you want that to change now that…” He trails off, looking at Tigor.
“No, no. This is ours. We will share, I mean, Darrell, this is home, but maybe he can have two homes? Next door and here. Tigor said he will build a fence around both properties so we will all sort of still be living together, just a little different.”
Dominic nods. “Sounds fine by me. I was hoping to maybe buy that vacant parcel next door. Start my own garage instead of just taking whatever jobs I can find.”
“That would be great. I’ll expand the garden maybe too.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon and evening talking, planning, eating and binding out little rag tag family together. When Darrell falls asleep on the couch, Dominic asks if we don’t mind staying here tonight. Seems he’s got some love interest of his own going on in town. I don’t ask much, when he’s ready, he’ll share.
Tigor carries Darrell to his room and tucks him in so gently it almost makes me cry.
“Where is our room?” he asks, that fire back in his red eyes.
“Right this way, husband.”
“I’m ready for you to be on top,” he whispers, making heat rise on my cheeks.
Apparently, he and Dominic had a little ‘mating talk’ somewhere during the evening. He’s like the orc version of the Kama Sutra all the sudden, but truth, I’m down for it all.
I’m in love with an orc.
Bring it on.
Chapter
Nine
Tigor
As I near the back of the ranch property, I feel good about the future.
The clan approved my ideas, and what money we have will be available for me to bid on the rest of the property here. It’s likely to cost us everything, but if we can secure this for Clan Lakktra, we will have the space to expand and look toward the future. There’s going to be a lot of hard work involved, but this is the way forward. I know it.
And I can’t say I’m not pleased to know that Emmie and her found family will be surrounded on all sides by orcs loyal to the clan. Their safety will be guaranteed, whether she is with me in our marriage bed or spending time here with her own little clan.
I will make her happy forever. I swear it, right now, on every god we have a name for. I will do everything to make the rest of her life a walk in the cake, or whatever the human saying is.
Passing through my own property, all is quiet, but when I get out on the street and head for theirs, I realize something isn’t right.
At first it just looks like the fence has blown over in a strong wind, but then I notice the yard beyond, trampled by heavy boots. Human military boots. Tracks from vehicles. And looking beyond, the back door is hanging off its hinges.
Fuck.
I break into a run, dropping my head as I do, steeling my body for an attack.
Whoever is in there, if they’ve hurt her, I’ll… I will rend them over the fire then dismember their bodies while they are still alive. I’ll make them eat their own balls. I’ll pluck out each tooth one by one until they’re screaming for mercy.
“Emmie!” I yell as I crash through the door. Silence greets me. “Emmie! Darrell!” I’ve only known the boy for a few days, but he already feels like a son to me. “Dominic!” I try, sniffing at the air and leaning in through the doorway to the living room. It’s trashed, furniture tossed about and broken, but there’s no sign of them.
There is only silence, and I hate it. Someone should be answering me. Someone should be shouting for me to save them.
I race up the stairs, taking them four at a time, then force myself to stop and calm down. Standing still and listening, it’s truly silent. No sound of breathing, no sound of footsteps. Whatever happened here, there isn’t a living soul in this place besides me.
Not a living soul.
I growl at the thought and shake my head. No. I won’t believe the worst. She’s alive. They’re all alive, and they need me to fucking rescue them.
I catch a scent on the air, and it draws me up short. Emmie. It’s faint. She isn’t here, but she was. Recently enough that the trail is strong indoors. I can’t follow it to its destination, I’d lose it in the open air, but I can at least follow it to its source.