Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“No closer,” I say, glaring at him, my other hand braced on the wall to make sure I don’t topple over. “Just stay there, okay?”
Carson practically glows. He’s staring at me with that look again, that hungry/angry/needy glare, like he hates me and wants to throw me into the dumpster, but also wants to devour me slowly, savoring my flavor. I shiver, thinking about his voice last night and the tingles he sent cascading down between my legs.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says. “You bartender friend told me I’d find you back here.”
I curse softly. “Remind me to have a conversation about personal boundaries with Bernie.”
Carson grunts in reply. He doesn’t speak but keeps looking at me. The man’s got the sexual magnetism of a jungle cat, all sleek and powerful, and I want him to spring forward on me like he’s going to rip out my throat. My fingers curl into the brick of the wall, digging into the mortar to try to distract me from all the vile, delicious thoughts I’m having about this man.
Slowly, I get control of my heart rate. Once I feel like I can speak without my voice trembling, I wave at him. “All right, you can stop staring at me like you want to cut out my tongue and eat it. Why are you here?”
He grimaces. “Cut out your—” He shakes his head. “Never mind.” He steps forward, coming closer, and that’s when I notice the bags under his eyes.
And the fact that he’s wearing the same suit. It’s crumpled, winkled around the edges. His top two buttons are undone, and his sleeves are shoved up. His shoes look scuffed and dirty. I meet his gaze again, and the man looks exhausted.
Gorgeous, but tired.
“You didn’t go home last night, did you?” I ask.
“I told you I’d do everything in my power to find Iain.”
A nervous thrill runs into my guts. “Did you?”
“Yes.” He looks away and takes a breath. “I’m sorry, Ash. I’m really fucking sorry.”
My mouth opens. Nothing comes out. All the nervous, sexual energy that’s been coursing through my veins from seeing Carson again suddenly turns to ice water. It takes me a second to find my voice. “Carson. What happened to my brother? Is he okay?”
He stares into my eyes and doesn’t look away. The sorrow there in his gaze nearly breaks me in half. “I’m so, so sorry, Ash, but Iain’s been shot. We found him a couple of hours ago.”
Chapter 4
Ash
I take a step back and thump up against the dumpster, my hands coming up to my mouth.
Numbness spreads down into my hands. It spreads into my guts, into my toes. I can’t move, can’t think, can’t process.
I always knew this was a possibility. It was a remote one—I figured Iain would end up in jail before he ended up dead—but hearing those words and seeing the obvious pain etched in Carson’s expression is like a knife deep into my throat. I can’t form words, can’t form thoughts.
I remember my brother again. Running with him across Boston Commons, pissing off the old ladies walking their little white yappy dogs, laughing together as we buy hot dogs from a nearby vendor. I remember Iain putting an arm over my shoulder. You’re one of the best, you know that, Ash? Even when you’re annoying as shit, you’re still one of the best.
I remember sitting in my room with him as he played me a bunch of mix CDs. I remember looking over his shoulder as he played video games. I remember his laugh, the goofy way he used to run both his hands through his hair, the lopsided grin he’d give me across the dinner table when I said something to annoy my parents.
Iain and I drifted apart over the years—but he used to be my closest friend.
Tears spring into my tears. “What happened?” I whisper. “Is he dead?”
“He’s in the hospital right now undergoing surgery. The doctors didn’t seem enthusiastic about his chances” His face twists. “You don’t want the details.”
“Carson. Tell me what happened to my brother.”
“They ambushed him.” He comes closer but hesitates. “I’m going to find the men that did this and I will end their lives.”
I let you a bitter laugh. “You think revenge is going to make me feel better? My brother’s dying. He’s been out of my life for years, and now I might lose him forever. Thanks to you.”
Carson winces like I punched him in the face. “I tried to save him. I did everything I could.”
“You didn’t try hard enough.”
“Ash—”
“Go away.” I push myself off the dumpster. My grief intensifies with my rage, mixing and sending adrenaline into my veins. “Just go away, okay, Carson? I didn’t want you back in my life. You told me about Iain and now it’s done, so just go away. I don’t want to see you anymore. I’m going to the hospital.”