Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“I don’t like to be disrespected, Luis. And this little stunt doesn’t sit fucking well with me. Rick, what do you think we should do? A bullet to his leg? Or maybe something to this little girl over here,” I taunted, stopping in front of Lexi.
She still hadn’t taken her eyes off me. I cocked my head to the side, taking in the fact she didn’t fear me. I couldn’t remember the last time that happened.
“No, sir… Lexi, go back to the damn car. Now!” Luis ordered, roughly grabbing her arm and tugging her sideways, harder than he needed to.
“Ow! Easy, asshole,” she yelped.
I didn’t hesitate. I stepped toward them, pulling her away from his grasp, and shoving him hard in the chest. He lost his footing, stumbling to the ground. A few women standing in line waiting to get into the club gasped. Crouching down in front of his face, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
Ignoring our audience, I gritted out, “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to put your hands on a woman? Do I need to teach you some fucking manners, boy?”
He fervently shook his head no.
I scoffed in disgust, releasing him from my grasp, and pushing him back down to the ground. I stood and turned around, narrowing my eyes at Lexi. Finally getting a good look at her. Disregarding the way she was still staring at me.
Without saying a word, I placed my hands in the pockets of my slacks, gradually eyeing her five-foot-four frame up and down with a fascinated regard. She had long, dark brown hair, cascading all around her face, and legs went on for days. She wore a white tattered t-shirt, two sizes too big, knotted at her hip, exposing her stomach, and cut off jean shorts with the pockets hanging out the bottoms.
She was young.
A child.
A goddamn little girl.
She. Was. Trouble.
I took her in, inch by inch, until I knew I got the effect I wanted out of her. It was easy for me to intimidate people, and she wasn’t any fucking different. Except there was a sudden flush in her cheeks was subtle enough to where no one would notice, other than me.
I noticed everything.
Especially her.
I made her nervous, but not because she was scared of me as I intended…
Even at that young of age, this girl knew what she wanted.
Me.
The attraction was coming off her in waves. Her mind reeling with mixed emotions, thinking I could be her savior, or her possible demise. All little girls wanted a Prince Charming. A knight in shining fucking armor.
Little did she know, I was the villain in this story.
We locked eyes, and for a split second, I saw something familiar in her bright green stare. Something I had always seen in mine, only now, it was being reflected back at me.
Solitude.
A raw, agonizing burn in her gaze. A pain no one else could understand, or even recognize, unless they’ve lived through it themselves. An unspoken connection brought on by darkness.
Hell.
A group of rowdy customers exited the club, interrupting the moment we were having. She shook off the sentiment, clearing her throat. I made her uncomfortable because she knew I could see and feel it too.
She knew I could see and feel everything.
“Take a picture, old man, it will last you longer,” she spewed, wanting to break the effect I was having on her.
I smiled, arching an eyebrow. “There’s no need for name calling, little girl. Rick isn’t that fucking old,” I chuckled, pointing over to him.
She wanted to smile, but she hid it by looking over toward the busy street instead. Not wanting me to see any more than I already had. She was trying to take control of the situation we found ourselves in. Her vulnerability radiated off of her, making her feel weak and out of control. As much as she hated it, she loved it even more.
I realized right then, this girl needed to stay the fuck away from me, and she didn’t strike me as anyone who followed fucking directions.
I glared at Luis who was brushing himself off. “Don’t bring the little girl with you again. I won’t warn you next time.”
“If you have something to say, say it to me. I’m standing right here. For your information, he didn’t bring me. I came with him, and if I want to come with him again, I will. You can’t tell me what to do just because you’re old enough to be my father, old man.”
Not faltering, I turned my attention back to her. Stepping right into her personal space, my six-foot-four muscular build looming over her petite frame. She didn’t cower, if anything she stood taller. I cocked my head to the side, reaching for a piece of her hair, twirling it around my finger.