Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“Are they okay? Did you rescue them?”
Sunny nodded. “It killed him, but River couldn’t walk away after stumbling into that. Expecting those women to spend another night in hell waiting for rescue was too much.” Sunny caressed my cheek, gazing into my eyes. “Otherwise, he would’ve been there for you tonight. He needed me to tell you that.”
I shook my head roughly. “River doesn’t owe an apology or explanation. He did the right thing. I wouldn’t have wanted him to abandon those women to fly to New York after me.” I peered over his shoulder out the window, where the towering Empire State Building insisted I was hours from home. “You all were coming for me. Someone had to be there for them. Another night in hell is too long.”
“So is one night in hell.” Sunny rested his hand over Laurel. “Bane and Liam busted into the stash houses—money, drugs, and new identities that would get Adams out of Cinco. I was the one who ended up on the steps of a Waterford townhouse.
“It wasn’t what I expected. Flower garden, three stories, call box, and an Aston Martin parked out front. Luca saved the roach hole for his captives, and the swanky dive for himself.”
“And there’s a dark, filthy hole waiting in hell for him.” I kissed my daughter again, unable to stop though I might wake her. “Was Laurel at the townhouse?”
“She was,” Sunny confirmed. “The place was nice on the outside, but inside...”
I tensed. “Tell me, Sunny.”
“Disgusting.” The word dragged out of him. “Trash, beer bottles, and drugs everywhere. Among the garbage was a woman passed out with a needle in her arm.”
“Oh my goodness.” I heaved. “Laurel was around all of that.”
“No, actually.” He winced. “Seems because she didn’t have a crib, Luca’s girlfriend decided to put Laurel in the tub and lock her in the bathroom. I knew I had the right place because I heard her crying when I came in.”
I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think. Horror sent me to a dim, silent place.
“Hey,” he whispered. Sunny tipped my chin. “She’s safe, baby. I got her before that monster could do worse. Laurel is safe, unharmed, and with you. No one will ever touch her again.”
That she was unharmed, I knew. After Sunny rescued me, I refused to go anywhere except a twenty-four-hour clinic. I made two separate doctors check her over twice. There was nothing wrong with Laurel other than being sleepy. As for his last statement—that no one would ever touch her again.
My fist curled beneath the sheets. I will make sure of that.
“How did you find out I was in New York?” I asked when speech came back to me.
“I sobered her up. Getting your head dunked in a tub full of ice wakes you up fast. After laying out her options and explaining what would happen if I didn’t get you back, she spat in my face.” Sunny swiped his cheek as if wiping off the memory. “She was more forthcoming when I told her Luca was dead and her protection gone.”
“Wait, what?” I hissed. “Luca’s dead?”
Nodding slowly, silver pools held my gaze. “He was also less than forthcoming. I got him to open up, but the poor little rapist pimp didn’t make it,” he said. “I don’t want to lie to you. If it bothers you that I—”
“No,” I sliced, gunshots roaring through my mind. “You rescued me and my daughter, Sunny. You don’t have to explain or apologize either.”
“Okay.” Sunny tugged me closer, burrowing Laurel between us. His lips were gentle drops of rain on my eyelids. “In the end, she told us you and the other women would be in New York for a week while they waited for the corrupt piece of crap who’d sneak you into a shipping container and send you all off to Europe.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve done if you guys weren’t there for us tonight. Laurel and I... we owe you everything.”
“You owe us nothing, Kenzie. I’d crawl across glass for you and Laurel just to make you smile. There’s no end to what I’ll do to keep you both safe.”
“Oh, Sunny.” A smile I never thought I’d see again stretched my lips. “My makeover hasn’t turned me into the Harley Quinn clone that’ll laugh at your maiming, but it’s still pretty sweet you’d do that for me.”
“If we’re going to stay up late talking, then let’s talk about something that’ll keep this on your face,” he said, tracing my smile. “We’re going home tomorrow. Genny’s waiting to hug the crap out of you. Or beat the crap out of you for worrying her. Can’t tell with her.”
I laughed softly. “I’ll stay out of reach while she decides.”
Sweeping the grand room, I got a better look at it than when I staggered inside exhausted and running on fumes. A massive king-size bed claimed the middle of the room. Around us was a big-screen television, sunken sitting area, wet bar, and the massive closet I walked into thinking it was a bathroom. The actual bathroom was the size of my old apartment.