Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74035 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74035 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
We also need more to eat than a bowl of plain noodles.
“Alright, baby. Let’s get something good to eat.”
“I’d kill for a good shower.”
We could take a shower outside, but it’s grown colder. “Soon. For now, I can heat up some water for a bath?”
She pushes off me and nods. “Works for me.”
I toss her my tee. “Put that on to keep the bugs away.”
With a quick tug, she pulls my tee on. It hits her knees adorably, like a little girl playing dress-up, but the way it drapes over her ass and tits makes her all woman.
I tug on a pair of jeans to head outside to get us some wood. We exhausted the supply yesterday and today was supposed to be about replenishing our wood stock… but we made other plans instead.
I head out to get the wood while she sets water to boil. I haven’t given her this much freedom since we got here, but she’s almost built trust with me. She likely knows this is the safest place for her right now, and I don’t think she’s made up the way she enjoys being with me.
I never expected to actually have feelings for her. It’s unexpected, but it makes what I have to do that much easier.
She needs to have a baby. There’s no getting around the boldest way to save her. When whatever truth our brothers are searching for comes to light, bringing her to The Castle pregnant will be her only saving grace. It’ll be a more powerful talisman against the vengeance her brothers will want to seek than any blows I could throw with my own two fists, and I’ll be damn ready to throw down.
“Dario,” she says over her shoulder. “I’m not gonna look, I promise. But it looks like you have some missed calls here on this phone?”
I left the phone out right where she could see it. I’m slipping.
Fuck. During our sex fest, Orlando probably tried to reach me.
“Alright, I’ll be there in a minute. Don’t touch it, Vivia.”
She backs away as if it’s a venomous snake, then shakes her head. “Not touching it. I don’t know the password anyway. Just boiling water like a good girl over here.”
I’m smiling to myself when I turn away.
Enamored with how adorable she looks in my T-shirt, and the plans I have for her for later, I miss the warning sounds behind me. I should goddamn know better, but when I finally hear the hiss and growl, it’s too late.
I turn just in time to face a vicious howl and sharp, razor-like teeth. At first, I think someone’s dog’s got off leash, a wolf dog or husky ready to fight. I crouch, throw my arm up to defend myself, and just in time as the animal attacks. I scream as its teeth sink into my arm, tearing flesh with ease. This is no dog—the flatter forehead and sleeker physique, pointed snout and long, slender yet powerful legs, give it away as a coyote in the wild, common in these parts. What isn’t common is for one to attack a human.
I kick at it, trying to prevent another slash of teeth, but it’s bent on attacking and doesn’t give up easily. I hear Vivia’s pounding footsteps seconds before she yanks open the door. Dammit, I don’t want her hurt.
“Go back inside!” I yell at her. “Shut the door!”
“Oh my God!” she screams, and reaches for one of the logs by the door, but when she throws it, she misses by a mile.
“Go inside!”
“It’ll eat you!” she screams, and doesn’t make a fucking move to go inside.
I roll and kick the beast, causing it to cry out and flinch, but it only attacks me with more vigor, doubling the snarls as it claws and bites at my bare flesh. I kick it again, and again, but I can’t pry the relentless teeth from my body. Blood splashes on the ground, the coyote’s gray fur splattered in crimson.
“I’ll get the gun!” she says.
The pain is all-consuming. I’ve never had an adversary attack like this so relentlessly, as if it has a personal vendetta against me. I can’t get a punch or kick in at this point. My only option is to wrestle it to the ground.
It’s ferocious and strong, but I’m stronger. I throw my body weight on it, pinning it to the earth as Vivia comes running with my gun.
“Fucking wish I could shoot,” she says on a sob. “Here!”
She could shoot me. She could run.
She holds it out to me. I try to reach for the gun but can’t. As soon as I reach my hand out, I’m met with cruel teeth and another bite that sends pain radiating through every nerve in my body. I stifle my screams, not wanting to scare Vivia. The gun falls to the ground and goes off. Vivia screams.