Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 207002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1035(@200wpm)___ 828(@250wpm)___ 690(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 207002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1035(@200wpm)___ 828(@250wpm)___ 690(@300wpm)
“Last night?” My mouth fell open. “How long have I been here?”
“Thirteen hours.”
“Kahretsin.” I shook my head. “That’s thirteen hours too long.”
“It’s not ideal, I agree. But you were out cold, and I figured nothing could happen to you while you were asleep, especially while no one knew who you were. Unfortunately...” Her eyes tightened as she shifted with worry. “The driver was interviewed this morning by the police. He mentioned that Neri had screamed your name when trying to rouse you. He gave that name to the police. He’s been overly cooperative, I’m afraid. Trying to save his own neck, I suppose.”
The world narrowed to a pinprick of horror.
“I only found out ten minutes ago,” she rushed. “I’m not even supposed to be working anymore but...you can’t stay here. The police have your name. They know you were the man the driver hit. I’m sure they’re coming—”
“We need to go. Right now.” I swung my legs out of bed.
Stars danced over my vision.
My hip flared.
My back pulled where the stitches held my flesh together.
And my ribs were determined to make breathing an impossible task.
“You have morphine in your system, so you need to be careful not to push yourself too far.” Her eyebrows knitted together. “You’re still injured, Aslan. Fairly badly. You could make things a lot worse if you overdo it.”
“I’ll rest when I’m far away from here.”
Bending down to grab something from the floor, she placed a duffel bag on the end of my bed. “Jack brought you some clothes. He and Anna arrived a few hours ago and have taken Neri back to your apartment to avoid her being questioned.” Her lips curled up. “As you can imagine, she did not want to leave without you.”
I struggled to catch a proper breath. “I-Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Suffered a bad case of shock seeing you so hurt, but...she’s okay.”
Gritting my teeth, I stood and tested my balance and tolerance.
My hip felt fragile and bruised, but I stayed standing. I could rest later. Heal later. Right now, I’d run a fucking marathon if it meant I could get free and stay free. Jedda turned her back on me as I rifled through the bag of clothes and yanked on a pair of black boxers before ripping off the hospital gown.
Jack had once again given me clothes to escape.
I was already so deeply in his debt I would never be able to repay him, but this? Having him love me enough to risk his own reputation and freedom? Loving me enough to give me his daughter?
It made my throat close up as I shrugged into a white polo shirt and slipped on a pair of cargos—clothes I’d left in Port Douglas after the sun and salt had weathered them.
Glancing over her shoulder, the woman turned back to face me once she saw I was decent. “I’m Jedda, by the way.”
“Neri mentioned you a few months ago.”
“She did?”
“When Jack found out about us and...” I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter.” Tipping up my chin, I ignored all my pains from fists, Mazdas, and rotten fucking luck. “It goes without saying that I’m grateful for your help, Jedda, but I’m confused about why you’d give it.”
She smiled. “I’m Neri’s godmother. Anna and I went to school together before she went into science and I went into medicine.”
I swayed a little. “You’re Neri’s godmother?”
She nodded. “I’ve known you’ve been living with them since the first morning you vanished. I know you and Neri fell in love. And I’ve been assured that I’m invited to your wedding—if it’s ever able to go ahead.”
“Y-You knew where I was this entire time and never reported me?”
“Of course, I bloody knew.” She huffed, dropping her voice to a whisper. “I came to check on you like I said I would. I found the window open and the crushed flowers beneath. Anna put her name as your next of kin, and Jack gave you their address. It didn’t take much to figure it out. You put them in a dangerous position, Aslan, and I did what I had to do to protect them and my goddaughter.”
“Jack never told me.”
“I’m sure there’s a lot he hasn’t told you.” Stepping toward the exit, she added, “Now, if you can walk without passing out, I suggest you leave immediately. Jack’s on his way. He’ll pick you up outside.”
Tossing an old pair of black flip-flops to the ground, I shoved my feet into them and willed my body to behave. The first few steps revealed every bruise, bump, and bash, but I focused on getting the fuck out of here.
Nothing else mattered but seeing Neri again.
The image of her kept me fighting.
The need to be with her gave me strength.
“I won’t walk with you.” Jedda gave me a worried smile, full of apology. “I’m sure you understand.”