Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Thank fuck for that,” Cohen mutters from the front of the truck.
His words hurt, but I’ll never show him that. Instead, I ignore him and keep talking to Merleigh. We talk about how she was sold and how she is enjoying being back. The time flies and I find her really easy to get along with. Before I know it, we’re pulling into the motel and climbing out of the truck.
It’s a hot day, and my clothes feel like they’re sticking to my body as we all unpack our things and separate into rooms. I’ve been placed with Merleigh, thank god, because if I had to share a room with Cohen too, I might just lose it. Instead, he’s sharing a room right next to ours with Bohdi and Samson.
The rooms are old, but cheap. They’re clean, and I suppose that’s all you really need. I unpack enough to get me through the night and then decide I’ll go for a walk and check out the town, maybe find a bar to finish off my afternoon. It’s better than sitting here, knowing good and well that nobody really wants me around.
I get changed, slip some comfortable shoes on, and then leave the room, closing the door behind me. I glance around and decide I’ll just wander about until I find something to do. I like exploring new towns—it’s fun and exciting. When you’ve been locked away for as long as I have, you appreciate the small things, like a park, or gardens, or a fountain.
“Where are you goin’?”
Cohen’s voice comes from behind me and I jump, spinning around to see him walking after me, sunglasses covering his eyes so I can’t see his expression.
“I’m going for a walk, check things out, and then I’m going to the bar.”
“Good, I’m coming with you.”
“You can’t be serious?” I snap, crossing my arms.
“You could be meetin’ up with someone, not riskin’ it. Alarick told me to watch you, so I’m goin’ to be doin’ just that.”
I glare at him. “You don’t want anything to do with me, we both know that, so I’m not sure why you’re allowing Alarick to give you orders like that.”
“Because I don’t trust you. It’s really that simple. I’m comin’ with you.”
Fine, if he wants to come with me, I’m going to make him walk this town three fucking times. I can make it miserable for him, no doubt about it. And miserable, it will be.
I turn and start walking again, nearing the town center. It’s green and bustling, with cars and people everywhere. Cafés line the main street and there are a few parks scattered around. I stop into a café, grab myself a muffin and a coffee, and then I take a walk around. Cohen follows me silently. No doubt to people watching, it looks weirdly suspicious.
I’m strolling through a park when a man jogs up to me. He’s only young, maybe thirty, and he’s quite handsome. He slows down when he reaches me and asks in a puffed voice, “Ma’am, are you okay?”
I glance at him, confused. “Sure, why do you ask?”
“That man is following you, and I’ve seen him doing so for quite some time. I’ve been jogging through town.”
I look behind me to see Cohen about ten yards behind me, his eyes on the man I’m speaking to.
“Actually, you know, I am a bit concerned. He has been scaring me,” I say to the man, glancing at Cohen again.
“Come with me, I’ll give you a ride.”
I flash a smile in Cohen’s direction as the jogger takes my arm and walks close to me. Angrily, Cohen strides up and growls, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I don’t want any trouble, I’m just taking her home. She’s concerned that you’ve been following her,” the jogger says, stepping in front of me a little so Cohen has no access to me.
What a gentleman.
“She’s with me,” Cohen growls. “Step the fuck back or I’ll make you.”
“I can’t do that, she’s concerned for her safety, and I take that seriously. Please step back or I’ll call the police.”
“You’ll call fuckin’ no one, because she’s with me. I’m escortin’ her because she’s in danger. You want to be responsible if somethin’ happens to her?”
The jogger glances at me, and I shake my head. “He’s making it up, I don’t know him.”
My voice is soft and scared and the look Cohen gives me could blow me apart right here. The man pulls out his phone and then slowly takes my hand and starts leading me away. “If you follow us, I’ll call the police.”
Cohen lets us go, but when I look back at him to flash him another killer smile, he’s giving me a look that screams he’ll have bloody revenge for me when I return.
When we’re out of sight, the man turns to me and says, “Would you like me to circle back around to my car and give you a ride, or are you okay now?”