Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Seriously. That man was a hell of a cuddler.
But now, it was nearly midnight and she was ready for her bed.
Next time, take your medication with you.
Reuben was always telling her that she should carry a day’s worth on her in case something happened.
He probably wasn’t thinking about her finding a cowboy to give her mind-blowing sex . . . then again, knowing Reuben, he might have been.
As she drove through the streets of Wishingbone, a cramp caught her by surprise.
Oh no.
Crap. Really? Awesome timing, period.
They’d always been erratic and they had grown more so the older she got. She felt sure she wasn’t due for another week.
She sighed. She supposed the timing could be worse. But did she have anything with her? Would anything be open at this time of night?
Driving a bit further, she saw the sign for a 7-11. She pulled up round the back and walked in.
It was kind of dark back here, and a shiver ran through her. Reaching for her phone, she texted Dominic.
He’d told her that he wanted to know when she got back and she didn’t want to delay him getting some sleep.
Gwen:
Back in Wishingbone.
Dominic:
You got there quickly.
Uh-oh.
Gwen:
Well, there wasn’t any traffic at this time of night.
Dominic:
There’s never much traffic. You got there very fast, Shortcake. We’ll be talking about your lead foot when I get back.
Well, shit. She could maybe guess what he meant by talking.
Dominic:
And remember, Jace will let me know if he catches you being naughty.
Damn him. Why did the word naughty make her feel so hot?
Gwen:
I’m never naughty.
Dominic:
Have you got a fever?
Gwen:
??
Dominic:
You’re delirious.
Gwen:
Ha-ha you should take this show on the road.
Dominic:
Why thank you. Now, be a good girl. Get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow night. Behave.
Sheesh. Be a good girl. Behave.
What did he think she was going to do? Rob a bank or something?
She grabbed the supplies she needed, along with some chocolate. The woman at the counter gave her a sympathetic look. “That time of the month sucks doesn’t it?”
“Heck, yes. Thanks!”
As she walked to her car, something caught her attention.
Was that Liv? She was standing at the edge of the parking lot, talking to someone.
Suddenly, the guy shoved her and she fell on the ground.
Gwen was frozen by shock for a moment.
Oh, hell no.
Not on her watch.
Dropping her supplies on the ground, she quickly opened the trunk of her car and grabbed out her baton.
She hadn’t had to use it before. But there was a first time for everything.
She started running toward them as Liv attempted to stand. The jerk pushed her down again, then drew back his leg as though to kick her.
“Hey, asshole!” Gwen yelled.
He turned toward her, distracted, and she let out a whoop as she smacked the baton down against his arm.
He let out a cry of pain.
“Fuck off, you stupid bitch!” he yelled, advancing on her.
Shit. She swung it again, catching his other side. Then dodged back as he tried to grab her.
Another whack to his side and he groaned, placing his hand against his ribs. “What the fuck did you do?”
“Liv, run!” she yelled.
A siren sounded in the distance and the guy swore. “I won’t forget this, you dumb bitch. You’re fucked.” Turning, he took off, fading into the shadows.
Whoa.
Had that actually worked? Had she run him off? She heaved for breath, feeling slightly dizzy. Okay, she had to get more oxygen into her lungs.
This is why she needed to be fitter.
So she could fight off assholes.
“Because that happens all the time,” she muttered to herself.
A whimper caught her attention. Shoot. She’d forgotten about Liv!
Idiot.
Turning, she crouched down. “Oh, Liv, are you all right?”
“What have you done?” Liv asked, glaring at her.
“What?” She drew back in shock. “I helped you.”
“No! You made him run. He’s going to think I wanted your help.”
“You didn’t want my help?”
What the hell?
“No! I didn’t want your help. You’ve made everything worse.”
Shit. This wasn’t what she’d expected. But she knew this wasn’t about her. She hadn’t done the wrong thing. This was about the hold that asshole had on this girl.
“Liv, what he did to you wasn’t okay.”
“Shut. Up. What do you know?” Liv snarled. This was not the sweet girl from the diner.
“We need to call the police and let them know what happened.”
“No. If you do that, I’ll deny everything.”
“Liv, we have to. He needs to be arrested. It was not all right for him to hurt you.”
“You know nothing!” Getting up, she ran off while Gwen stood there, staring after her sadly.
Then she made her way back to her car. As she reached it, she picked up her things and a strange feeling came over her.
Shoot. Was someone watching her? Was he back there somewhere?
She stared around. Fear flooded her. But she knew better than to let it show.
Never show fear.
“If you’re out there, I’m not scared. And I will see you’re punished for what you just did.”