Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
One moment, I was lying on the floor writhing in pain, and the next, I was sitting on the couch, sniffling and staring at nothing while Rowdy crouched in front of me.
Neither of us spoke as he carefully inspected my fingers, the calluses on his own scraping against my skin as he tested each one by flexing the digits and cursing again whenever I winced.
“I don’t think they’re broken,” he said when he was done, sounding almost as relieved as I felt.
“Okay.”
Something cold touched my fingers, and I saw him holding a blue compress over them. I didn’t take a single breath as I stared at the snarling lion, the scars marking his skin, the bruises around his knuckles, and the simple yet large black-faced Rolex around his wrist.
“You’re stubborn as fuck, you know that?”
I inhaled deeply before slowly exhaling as I shook my head. “I’m not going to accept responsibility for what you did, Rowdy. I didn’t ask you to hurt me.” There was no venom or anger in my tone, just bone-deep exhaustion.
“Did I?” he shot back. “That wasn’t a mattress I fell on, Atlas, or are you one of those females who ignore double standards? That could have gone all the way left. What would you have done if I had fallen wrong and cracked my head open? Did you think about that?”
My stomach twisted, leaving behind the first twinge of regret.
No.
I hadn’t thought at all. I just…reacted.
And recklessly threatened his life.
Some might argue Rowdy wanting to make me submit had been mild considering his reputation.
I finally allowed myself to meet his gaze, letting him see my sincerity as I said, “I’m sorry.”
Freeing my hands from the ice packs, he stared at them for a long moment, some indecision in his eyes that melted away a second before his head lowered, and he kissed my cold fingers. Warmth pooled in my belly and pussy as I gaped at him.
“Me too,” he whispered. He carefully tucked my trembling hands back under the ice before meeting my gaze.
I was still searching for a response to that when the fire alarm began blaring. The office became bathed in red when the emergency lights lashed. Frowning, Rowdy stood and was halfway to the door to see what was happening when it flew open.
Roc barreled through it, looking like he was seconds from losing his shit, only to pause when his gaze landed on me. The breath he released at finding me sitting on the sofa in one piece was audible, and I would have found it funny if I hadn’t come so close to it not being so.
“Why the fuck are you busting in my office like you IPD?”
“Are you crazy?” Roc roared at his partner. “The whole shop heard Atlas in here screaming. I thought you were up here murdering that girl. I had Golden pull the fire alarm to get everyone out of the building.”
I thought it was a little dramatic until his reason dawned on me. Roc had done it just in case they had to get rid of a body without being seen.
My body.
I glared at Roc, and he gave me a perplexed look right back.
“Well, as you can see, she’s not dead,” Rowdy said sarcastically. I was grateful he hadn’t said I was fine because I wasn’t. “Anything else you want to cry about?”
Roc noticed the ice packs on my fingers but didn’t remark on it as he turned on his heel and stormed back out of the room. Rowdy went to shut the door behind him when I shot to my feet, letting the ice packs fall to the floor. The last thing I wanted was to be alone with him a moment longer.
“I should get back to work.”
“How are your hands?” he asked, turning to face me while blocking my path to the door.
“Fine. See?” I held up my hands and wiggled them, fighting my wince at the ache in my bones, and forced a smile. He’d been right. My fingers weren’t broken, but they hurt like hell. “I’m good to go, boss.”
I could see the tick in his jaw that told me he wasn’t ready to let me leave but had no reason to make me stay. Rowdy nodded and put distance between us as he strolled behind his desk and took a seat.
“Hey, Atlas,” he called out once I reached the door.
My hands were trembling now as I turned to face him. “Yes, Rowdy?”
“You were fortunate it wasn’t me here on Saturday. The next time you don’t show up for work, whether I’m here or not, it will be me who shows up on your doorstep. Am I clear?”
I wondered if he could hear the knot of fear I forced down my throat. “We’re clear.”
His beautiful green eyes dared me to try him as he braced his strong forearms on the desk and leaned forward. “Yes, what, Atlas?”