Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
When she walks past me, I do a quick glance and make sure the asshole is not paying attention. My hand reaches out to touch her, swiftly, but fuck that simple touch wakes everything in me up. She doesn't look at me, but she stumbles, righting herself before he turns and ushers her out of the door. What the actual fuck?
I wait a beat and then walk out the door dismissing my men and hop in my car. Making sure to keep a good space behind them, I am trying to develop a new plan. It is clear I have been going about this wrong. I have been trying to give her space. You know, be the honorable man and shit. But fuck it. I am done with that bullshit. I need to figure out what the fuck is going on.
I continue to follow the car, my rage boiling as the car pulls into another club. This one Russian and immediately my body starts pumping adrenaline. I can’t fucking go in there and that doesn’t feel right. That is my woman in there.
Not accustomed to sitting around and doing nothing, I call my guy and give him the license plate number for the car she is riding in.
I am sitting here for a few minutes when my phone buzzes. I see a text from my brother. He needs me to come home. Without a choice, I give one last look and decide to send a final text to my love.
Me: You can run but you can’t hide.
CHAPTER
TWO
AISLING
THE SAME NIGHT
Oh God. I am going to freaking pass out. What is he doing here? I mean I know he lives in Chicago, but seriously walking through the door of a bar at the exact same time my boss is trying to get some sleazy deal signed? He demanded I sit between them so I could be eye candy. This night is too much.
I can feel his eyes on me right now and everything in me wants to look at him and tell him to come save me, but I don't. I can’t. Over the past few months I have learned that my boss is ruthless and evil and it doesn’t matter man or woman, you cross him you pay. “You could have at least unbuttoned your blouse more Ling Ling. If you aren't going to be useful than what good are you?” He blows his smoke in my face and I barely hold in the barf.
My stomach has been turning ever since we walked in here. The stench of alcohol and sweat mixed with whatever the hell they are doing behind the curtains to the left. The man Mr. Popov is meeting keeps looking at me, licking his lips. His hand has slipped a few times landing on my lap. Each time my tummy rolled and I had to bite my tongue to keep it in.
Everything in me is tingling, alert and in anticipatory awakeness having Jozef this close to me. I have missed him so fucking much. Being in his arms was my happy place. Not being able to speak to him or see him has slowly been killing me. Especially not being able to share with him… everything.
“Well Stepan, I say if this young lady beside you is any indication of your taste, then I am all in.” The sleazeball to my left says before brushing up against me. I see a slight movement in front of me and know Zef is watching all of this and even though I haven't known him to be violent, I can see something in him that is being held back.
“Excellent. Why don’t we talk once I am back in New York?” My boss says. I watch them shake hands in front of me and then we are walking out of the bar. I hold my breath as I pass him, praying he doesn’t cause a scene. When my hand swings, I feel his touch and my foot gets caught on the rug. Luckily I straighten myself and keep going without acknowledging him. My fucking heart is breaking right now. I am so sorry my love.
ONE WEEK LATER
Ugh. I am so happy to be back in New York. But holy hell is this ever going to quit? I have been throwing up for the last two months. It ramped up while I was in Chicago and now, it is like I am Linda Blair in The Exorcist. It is nonstop. I am barely getting any sleep as it is being worried and scared all the damn time. But, add middle of the night trips with my head over the toilet and goodbye real rest.
All things considered I am not complaining. I know it comes with the territory but jeez. Bzz. Bzz. Shit. As hard as it is for me to get off the floor, I have to answer the phone. I learned the hard way that my boss will not react well to being ignored.