Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
His lips were curled in a sneer, and a wicked scar on his right cheek puckered from his twisted expression.
“This is the ladies’ room,” I said, trying not to stare at his scar.
He shut the door behind him. Locked it.
“I wanted to talk to you, Ashlyn.” He took a step toward me.
I jolted back, and my butt hit the wall. The space was too small, and the man was too close.
Before I could open my mouth to scream for Joseph, the man pulled aside his leather jacket to reveal a gun holstered at his side. He pressed his finger against his lips as he shushed me.
“What do you want?” I whispered, not daring to raise my voice any louder. “How do you know my name?”
“I know a lot of things about you.” He took another step toward me, but there was nowhere for me to go, nowhere to run. “Not as much as Joseph knows about you, judging by the pictures my friends took.” He reached up and brushed his knuckles down my cheek.
I turned my face away, but he didn’t break contact. My heart hammered against my ribs, fear coursing through my veins. It was just as toxic as it had been the night Marco kidnapped me. Only, this man wasn’t reassuring me that he would take me to Joseph and keep me safe.
He traced the line of my jaw before picking up a lock of my hair. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled deeply. I shuddered, feeling more violated than I had when he’d touched my face.
“You’re very pretty,” he told me. “I can see why Joseph likes you. I’m sure he’d be heartbroken if anything happened to you.”
A soft knock sounded against the door. “Ashlyn?”
“Joseph!” I gasped out his name, too breathless to scream for him.
A loud bang echoed through the bathroom as the door flew open, the wood splintering around the broken lock. Joseph slammed into the man who’d been threatening me, his momentum taking them both to the floor.
I shrieked when strong arms grabbed me.
“It’s me,” Marco said. “I’ve got you.”
He picked me up, cradling me against his chest as he turned me away from the violence. Joseph brought his fist down on the man’s nose. I saw blood spray, and I hid my face against Marco’s neck.
“Don’t kill him, Joseph,” Marco warned as he carried me away. “We can’t draw first blood.”
Marco rushed through the restaurant. His big body shielded mine as he held me close, his huge arms protecting me. Several patrons exclaimed and a few stood to gawk, but Marco didn’t seem to care. He was completely focused on getting me away from the man who’d scared me.
“Wait!” I twisted in his arms when cool night air kissed my skin. “Joseph.” We couldn’t leave him behind. “That man had a gun.” My panic spiked, and I squirmed against Marco’s hold.
“He won’t use it,” Marco promised me. “They were just trying to send a message. Joseph will be fine.”
“You can’t know that!” I continued struggling, but his arms were iron around me.
“He’s already behind us.”
I listened, registering heavy footfalls racing toward us. I craned my head back to look over Marco’s shoulder.
“Joseph!” I practically sobbed his name as relief ripped through me.
“I’ll drive,” Joseph told Marco as he caught up to us. “You cover her.”
Marco nodded, shifting me slightly so he could open the back door of the BMW. He slid inside with me, placing me on my back along the seat. I heard Joseph slam the driver’s side door, and the car lurched forward. Marco leaned over me, his weight pressing me down into the leather as his body covered mine.
“That’s it,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “Hold on to me. You’re safe.”
I didn’t realize my fingers had curled into the front of his shirt, and I was holding on to him for dear life.
Marco’s huge hands started roving over my body with shocking gentleness. “Did he touch you? Did he hurt you?” Despite his gentle hands, his words were a rough growl.
“N-no,” I stammered, my teeth clicking together. It was so cold in the car. “He just said…” I trailed off, shivering at the memory of the man’s hand on my face.
“What did he say?” Marco prompted.
“He knew my name. He said his friends had pictures of Joseph and me together. He said Joseph would be upset if anything happened to me.”
Joseph’s harsh curse floated back to me, and the engine roared as the car picked up speed.
“We’re through the gates,” he announced a few minutes later. He must have smashed the speed limit to get us back to the estate so quickly.
Marco finally sat up, pulling me with him so I sat in his lap. He held me close and placed his hand on the side of my head, tucking my face against his chest. My fingers were still fisted in his shirt, but he didn’t seem to mind. He rubbed my chilled arms with his free hand, and he stroked my hair with the other.