Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49989 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49989 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“I better go and find a room,” she said. She didn’t want to impose herself on him any longer than necessary, and after nearly being shot at, she needed time to think. Cleo was a mess in every way right now.
Priest didn’t make any move to stop her, and she didn’t know if she was relieved by that, or more heartbroken that he didn’t care to stop her.
She had no bags. No belongings. Just the sweaty clothes on her back.
Cleo followed the directions, heading toward the main room, which had an arrow pointing straight ahead. Once she got there, she saw the space was huge and didn’t resemble a chemical factory at all. There were signs for the bedrooms, and she took off.
Harb had taken the first room, which she saw as the door was already open.
She went straight to the bottom of the corridor and turned the knob, letting herself into the room. Cleo had no clue which room was supposed to be hers, theirs, or what. Was she supposed to share with Priest? Did Boss realize they were together? Were they together?
All the uncertainties in her life were getting to her.
The room was large. Bigger than her apartment. It had a California king, and she could envision her body entwined with Priest’s on those comforters, but she shook the thoughts away.
She stepped inside and found the closet had extra clothes already inside. Another door led her to the en-suite bathroom with a modern oversized shower and stand-alone tub. Still no windows. She hadn’t seen any since entering this safe house.
She was surrounded by luxury.
Why would Boss send them here? How long were they expected to stay?
After stepping into the bathroom, she reached for the tap and turned the water on. Placing her hand beneath the spray, she waited for it to warm up, and then she stepped beneath the spray, tilting her head back with a moan. She was still fully clothed, but now, she removed her clothing, letting the layers fall to the floor, piece by piece. As she did, she was sure the sweat turned the water a horrible tint, but she didn’t care.
The shower felt incredible. Her muscles were sore, her hair sticky, and her feet ached.
There was an assortment of soaps, shampoos, and conditioners, and she took great enjoyment in soaping up her body, then taking care of her hair. There was no rush as she washed it, sinking the shampoo deep into her scalp.
When she was finished, she approached the large mirror overlooking the sink, running her hand across the steamy glass to stare at her reflection.
Was she someone?
Shaking her head, she stepped out of the bathroom, dried her body quickly, and pulled on the sweatpants and a large shirt she found in the closet. Not very sexually appealing, but, right now, all she wanted to do was to go to bed. No, she wanted to eat first.
Actually, she wanted answers. A whole load of them. But she doubted she’d get any of those, so food would have to do.
She paused when she saw a drawer with a note partially sticking out. She frowned, looked up, and glanced around. No one was in the room.
Why would a note be waiting?
She eased it out and opened it up.
“Here’s a cell phone. Call me if you want to find out answers. Boss.” She’d read the note out aloud. There was a disposable phone in the drawer. She picked it up and checked the registered numbers. There was only one number waiting to be dialed.
This was probably about her birth parents. Everyone always assumed it was an issue for her, but she’d never asked for help and didn’t want those kinds of answers. What she needed was to find out why everyone wanted her dead.
Chapter Nine
Priest wasn’t going to stick around long. The safe house, although high-end, was a prison. No windows and concrete block walls surrounding them. He felt like a caged rat. Before Cleo showed up in his life, he had a routine at home and enjoyed sleeping in his own bed. Now this was the second night he’d be spending on a sketchy mattress.
Would he be able to keep Cleo safe here?
The tension between them grew, and he knew she’d try to bolt the moment she tasted freedom. He couldn’t force someone to love a monster like him, but he also couldn’t stand to give her up. Did he even deserve love after the life he’d lived? He scrubbed a hand over his face as he sat on the edge of the bed. He hated feeling like this. When he stood up to explore the room, the first drawer he opened was full of feminine supplies, so he knew this room had probably been reserved for Cleo.
Whatever.
She’d made her choice, and it didn’t include him.