Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
“It’s up for debate,” I mutter.
“I need to see your head.” Doc is already bandaging the cut on Tina’s head.
“So please tell me what happened here,” Law asks.
“Well, he asked me out to dinner. I told him we could go as friends.” I give her a look, knowing that she bullshitted me at the clinic today and outside her apartment, making it seem like it was something so much more. “When I got to my apartment, I knew it was foolish to even agree to that because I know he wanted more, so I messaged him to cancel. He lost his mind and came rushing up and into my apartment with a key.”
Tears fall from her beautiful eyes, and she falls easily into my arms, pressing her head on my chest.
“He tased her and then was on top of her back when I came through the door and pulled him off.”
Law comes up to me and whispers in my ear, “We can handle this legally, or our way.”
“I want him charged.”
“Doc, make sure Tina’s okay from the whole electric shock and fall, please.”
“Where were you tased?” She lifts her blouse, and I growl.
Everyone looks at me, and I apologize. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. Everyone, focus on your job or you’ll lose it,” Law snarls at his men. They all keep their eyes away from Tina, except Doc and me. There is a mark on her back and another on her side.
“I’ll give you some ointment, but you should be fine. You’re probably going to have a nasty headache, so I want you to take some pain meds if you feel worse.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re going to take him into custody, but Doc, I need you to treat him for his injuries.”
“Of course. I’ll have to take care of it, and get back to you on the report,” he tells Law. I don’t know exactly what it means, but I’m guessing it has to do with the fact that they want to save me the trouble of people asking questions.
“Can we keep this out of the press?” I question.
“Absolutely. He’s not going to make public headlines anywhere. Everything will be unknown unless we have to go to court and someone gets wind of it, but we’ll do our best to keep it under wraps.”
“Thanks, Law.”
“Take him out to the car, and we’ll treat him at the clinic. No sense in ruining the rest of her day.”
“No problem.” They drag him out of the apartment.
“By the way, Tina. I don’t want to see you in the office for the next week. Get some rest and heal.”
“I can’t take that much time off.”
“Yes, you can, and you will. Don’t worry about your paycheck. It will be covered.” He leaves and it’s just Tina, Mitchell, and me alone in her place.
“Do you have some painkillers to take?” I ask, taking her to the living room area.
“I do.”
“Maybe you should take some just in case.”
She nods. “I think you’re right.”
“Do you want some dinner?”
“You don’t have to stay,” she says, which is foolish because there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
“I want to stay, but if you don’t want me here, I won’t be far away.”
“I’d like you to stay.”
“Good. Mitchell, can you pick up dinner for Ms. Solis and me from the pizza place?”
“Yes, Mike.” She tells him what she’d like, and then I add a little to it before giving him money and then taking my woman to sit on the sofa.
“Where are your meds?”
“In the bathroom cabinet.” I go in there and do my best not to snoop. She’s had a hell of a day, and I won’t violate her sanctuary any more than it’s already been. Grabbing what I need, I head back out and then see her on the sofa with her shoulders shaking. Fuck.
“Tina, baby girl.” I set the pills on the coffee table and then slide my arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry. It’s going to get better.”
“Can you just hold me?” I nod and hug her close, letting her press her head on my chest.
“I need to get you some water.”
“I don’t want the medicine.”
“You need to take it. I’ll be right back.” I get up and grab it, coming back within thirty seconds.
“Here. Take these and we can go back to relaxing together, and you can tell me all about your life before you came to Steeleville.”
“Okay.” I cradle her in my arms, bringing her legs up onto my lap. Her breathing steadies as she slowly falls asleep.
“I guess that was a fast tale,” I tease, pressing my lips to the top of her head.
Chapter Six
Tina
I’m on a plane to Vegas with Mike and his family, although I haven’t spoken to any of them. Frankly, I just want to curl up and pretend I’m invisible. I bet none of them have been through what I have. They’re all so perfectly put together. Garrett Steele, the founder and owner of pretty much everything in Steeleville, is on the plane too since he’s married into the family. His wife is Mike’s sister, Crystal, and she’s gorgeous as well.