Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“I was shot?”
“I’m afraid so. The shot wasn’t as bad as it appeared, though. I think the ones that did it thought they killed you. Instead, the bullet went straight through. You bled a lot, but I was able to stitch you up. There will be a scar, and you will need to do some physical therapy to make sure you retain a full range of motion in your arm.”
“You found me after someone tried to kill me?”
“Yes. I was hiding on the hill that overlooked the road where they shot you and another man.”
“You have someone else here?”
I frown. I feel like I’m handling this all wrong. In my defense, there’s no handbook to tell you the correct way to tell someone that they were almost murdered and left for dead. I exhale, trying to tell him what has happened. I don’t know anything about this man. I have to be careful. “No. I’m afraid the other man was already dead.”
“Did you know him? Do you know who I am? Is my family here?”
I blink. “Your family?”
His brow furrows as if he’s trying to search for his answer. He ends up grunting, as if admitting he doesn’t find anything. “I have to have family, right? Everyone does …”
I don’t think right now is the time to point out that not everyone has a family at all. He’s dealing with enough and frankly, so am I. “I don’t know you. I’m sorry.”
“Why did you help me?”
“I couldn’t let you die. I had to help.”
“Did I have any ID or anything? You’re calling me Breaker. Is that my name?”
“I have no idea, I’m sorry. Your jeans had a faded outline on the pocket, so I think you had a wallet or something. Maybe they took it, or you could have lost it when they threw you in the lake. I’m really not sure. You had a motorcycle vest on and the patch on the front said Breaker.”
“Where’s it at? Can I see it?” he asks.
Shit. “I … uh …” I blow out a breath. Screw it. “I had my friend Coop take it back to where I found you.”
“Why—”
“Please don’t get upset. It’s not healthy for you,” I caution him, holding up my hand. “I was afraid if they didn’t find some sign of you in or near the lake, they would hunt for you. I couldn’t risk that they’d come back and search my place. They passed me on the road before they shot you. They knew I was in the area. I can’t risk bringing them to my doorstep and possibly harming my daughter.”
He swallows, watching me. “You should have left me to die.”
“Not going to happen,” I huff at him. “Now, are you having any pain?”
“A headache. I feel damn tired, but I’m okay.”
“Mommy, can I come in now? I don’t want to be alone,” Tinny says, coming into the room cautiously. “Is the man okay?”
“Where is Iva?” Cooper asks.
“She’s at Mommy’s office,” Tinny supplies. “You’re awake,” she adds, looking straight at Breaker.
“Hi, Tinny,” he says, surprising me. His face doesn’t look as confused or angry anymore, either. It’s shocking how calm and inviting he looks. Heck, even his eyes seem to sparkle as he looks at my daughter. “Thank you for kissing my boo-boo.”
“You’re welcome!” my daughter chirps out proudly.
“You heard us?” I ask, remembering that conversation with my daughter.
“I did. I just couldn’t open my eyes or respond.”
I nod. “What do you say we check you out a little bit to see if you’re responding as you should? Then we’ll discuss your options.”
“I’m going to go check on Iva. We’ll talk soon, Breaker,” Cooper interjects, tipping his Stetson.
Breaker nods before answering me. “Okay.”
Tinny hugs Cooper as he leaves, then walks over to me and grabs the box of latex gloves I keep on the nightstand. She immediately takes two out and starts putting them on. She completely ignores that they are way too big for her.
“What do you think you’re doing, young lady?” I ask, staring down at my daughter.
“I’m your ‘sisstant, Mom,” she mumbles, like I should know the answer. I hear Cooper out in the hall, laughing as he heads for the front door. My gaze shifts to Breaker and he’s smiling at my daughter with so much warmth in his gaze, something eases inside of me. This is not a man cut from the same cloth as any of the Feral Kings MC members. He’s not a threat to my daughter. I breathe a little easier. She holds her hands up in the air and grins at Breaker. “Are you ready?” she asks. I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud and hurting her feelings.
Breaker eyes widen in surprise, but his smile only deepens. “I’m ready,” he says gently. I take out the small flashlight from my shirt pocket and decide now is the time to make sure his eyes are responding right. Later, I’ll talk to him more about what happened. I don’t really want to discuss it with my daughter in the room. He looks at me and I think he understands, because he’s relaxed now and gives me a very slight nod.