Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Do you want it?” His voice sounds tight; his eyes darken.
“I do.” I lick my lips, my heart beating so hard and fast, I’m positive he can hear it.
A slow smile tugs at his lips. He rolls me over to my back and touches my breasts, his thumb rubbing my swollen nipple back and forth. As he moves his large hand to my stomach, I admire how tan and large his hand is on the flat surface.
“This.” He gazes at me and I smile back. “This makes me very happy.”
I stutter out something that even I don’t understand. Leaning over, he kisses me, and I taste my tears in the kiss. It’s only then that I realize I’m crying.
“I was going to tell you as soon as you came in, but…”
“You needed me to fuck you first?” His eyes look calm.
My heart flutters because he’s not happy; he’s thrilled.
“I did, I really did.” I smile as he lies on his side, his hand bringing me close, holding my stomach.
“Go to sleep, Julianna,” he whispers in my ear.
I want to stay awake, but as Ryder holds me in his warm, secure embrace, I do what he says. I let myself sleep.
“Bellezza?” His hand caresses my cheek.
I blink my eyes open. “Yeah?” I go to wrap my arms around him. “Is it morning?” The room is still dark.
“No, it’s late. I have work to do. I’ll be back later.” He stands, and this time I do open my eyes.
“Right now?” I say, leaning up on my elbows.
“Shh, go back to sleep. You’re tired.” He leans down to kiss me.
The room is dark, and he’s dressed all in black—I can barely see him.
“I love you,” I mumble.
He looks down at me. “I love you more. You’re my life, Julianna,” he whispers, then walks away.
The door closes and the lock engages.
I turn to his side of the bed, my hand caressing it. Cold, I hate that. And why would he be working at night? Dread fills me, but I push it away. Something tells me this is going to be my life from now on.
He said he’d be back later. And I know he will. Grabbing his pillow, I cuddle against it. His fresh scent with a touch of spice drifts up to me.
I’ll never go back to sleep, but I close my eyes to rest them as I wait for his return.
RYDER
Present
Manhattan, NY
“Dr. Davis.” The man’s eyes bolt open.
My gloved hand presses down on his neck as he tries to struggle.
“Relax. You and I need to talk.” I look down at the man who’s behind a lot of shit that’s happened in the club the last five years. He’s older than he looks in his picture, almost frail in build, but his eyes hold fear, making me believe Frosty is right: he really thinks I’m beneath him. God, I wish I could take him down.
“I don’t know who you are, but I have money,” he rasps out.
I smile. “We cut all your cameras and the feed to the FBI. Nice touch. You have an impressive setup. Unfortunately for you, ours is better.” Squeezing his neck, I pull out my gun.
“Who’s the dirty Fed working for you?”
He looks around for help as he wheezes and tries to breathe.
“That is not what I asked.” I place the gun in his mouth. “I’m losing patience. Tell me what I want to know.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He gags on the tip, and I glance down to see his sheet is now wet and yellow.
“Dr. Davis, you just pissed yourself,” I state. “Who’s working for you?”
“Please.” His eyes hold fear, which means he does know what he’s doing.
“It’s a simple question.”
“Pearson Madi…” He gags again when I remove the gun.
“I didn’t hear you,” I say.
“Pearson Madison. That’s who I’m paying,” he spits out, his eyes flashing as if he can’t believe he’s in this situation.
“Frosty?”
“Pearson Madison is stationed in LA, and he’s high up,” Frosty says, his voice coming through the device in my ear. “I’m tapping his cell, bank accounts, and emails right now.”
I smile. “Dr. Davis, you’ve had quite a good run hiding all your activities. But that’s over. And now you know we can get to you anytime.”
Wide-eyed, he looks around the room while he waits for his security team to save him.
“They’re not coming.” I shake my head. “It’s just you and me.”
“I want my daughter back.” His voice cracks.
I glare at him in disgust. “That’s up to her. She knows where you are. Call off your man, or next time you won’t be able to.” Swallowing, he looks behind me again, probably hoping for a miracle.
“I took them out. It won’t matter how much security you have, we can get to you. All your illegal distribution of pills, all your money laundering, we know all of it,” I hiss.