Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Looking over my shoulder to make sure he stayed with Cinita, I don’t see any sign of him. A part of me expected him to follow me. If everything he said is true, I should want nothing to do with him. He’s a killer. Imagine if I brought him home to my parents and introduced him. Hi, what do you do for work? Well, parents, I kill people for a living. Oh, and I have auctions where I sell sex and other illegal things.
No, thank you.
I call my mother back, grateful for the fresh air when I step outside.
Work has been a great distraction, but Alek just sucks me straight back in.
She answers and immediately reprimands me. “Lena, you haven’t called or texted since you paid us back. Is there a reason for that?”
Maybe dealing with Cinita was a better idea.
“I’ve been busy with work,” I reply.
“Well, your brother is a doctor, and he still manages to call. So tell me, Lena, who has more time?”
Of course she would compare us. That’s what she’s good at, and it’s what she’s always done my whole life. I’m pretty sure my brother could do no wrong in her eyes—not that I think ill of my brother. I actually think he’s amazing. Every time she would try to pit us against each other, he would always tell her how lucky she was to have a daughter like me.
“How is he?” I ask, changing the subject, knowing full well she enjoys the topic of anything associated with my brother. I’m pretty sure every person from our hometown knows exactly who my brother is, even if they haven’t met him, based on my mother’s mouth alone.
“He’s good. Actually, that’s why I am calling.”
“Oh?”
“He’s in New York now. He just called and said he thought he saw you at the hospital. Are you there? At the hospital?”
My jaw drops, and I look back at the hospital entrance.
“Archer is here?”
“Yes. Why are you at the hospital anyway?” she asks skeptically.
“I was visiting a friend,” I explain. Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner he was in town?
“Mom, I’m going to go and find him,” I say excitedly. My brother’s timing couldn’t be more perfect. He’s exactly what I need right now—something familiar.
“Oh, he’s working, Lena. You know better than to interrupt him at work.”
“Okay, Mother,” I say and hang up. When I step back into the lobby, I go to the reception desk and ask where I might find Archer Love. They direct me to the same floor I came from.
I offer a timid smile of appreciation because… fuck me, really? Why must I continue bumping into Alek when I’m trying to avoid him? Because now all I can think about is how many more of his toxic kisses I want.
Stepping out of the elevator, I turn right toward the nurse’s station instead of left in the direction of Cinita’s room. I spot Archer right away, standing behind the desk and talking to a nurse. He’s instructing her on what to do with his patient. He signs something, then he looks up, and recognition blooms immediately. Archer’s dazzling smile grows bright. He hands her the clipboard and beelines it straight for me. As soon as he reaches me, he picks me up and swings me around.
“Little. You’re here.” He’s called me little since we were kids. He puts me down but grabs my hand and holds it in his.
“How come you didn’t tell me you were in town?” I ask, surprised.
“I wanted to see your next show and surprise you. Are you here visiting someone?”
“One of my old roommates is here. I just popped in to see how she’s doing.”
“Oh, who is it?”
“Her name is Cinita. She’s at the end of the hall.” He drops my hand, and I see a look of worry cross his face.
“Archer?”
He reaches for me again and pulls me in to whisper in my ear.
“You aren’t using like she is, right?”
I hit his chest with a shocked laugh.
“Never. You should know that,” I say. “I would never do anything to hurt my pipes.” I touch my neck.
“Good. That’s good. She’s had some questionable people come looking for her,” he tells me. “Especially that one. Just don’t look right away.” I nod and step back. Turning my head slightly, I see Alek watching us. Tensing, I look back at Archer.
That man pops up from thin fucking air.
“Are you free for dinner later?” he asks.
I’m still shocked he’s here, and I’m trying to will away Alek’s stare that I can feel drilling into my back.
“That sounds good,” I say with a grin.
He gives me another smile, and I know he wants to rough up my hair but won’t while he’s working. “I have to go, but I’ll text you,” he says as he pulls me in for another hug.