Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 136421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“I didn’t tell him about us.”
I smirk. “I’m not sure you’d be alive right now otherwise. Okay, well, can you give me a play-by-play on exactly what happened?”
“We were in bed when the doorbell rang. You said you scheduled a breakfast order, so you got up to answer it. I followed you out to go use the bathroom, but then I heard a woman say, ‘What do you have that I don’t have?’ and I knew it wasn’t the delivery. When I walked over to ask what was going on, the woman came at you, and I caught you just as you were falling to the floor. I didn’t even realize she stabbed you until I saw the blood. She ran and drove off in the same black Escalade that’d been following us. I quickly grabbed my phone and called 911.”
“So you saw her face?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t recognize her. She had short red hair and dressed like she had money. The look on her face was fucking frightening like she was cracked out and had nothing to lose.”
“The only person I know who looks like that is Eric’s wife.”
“That’s what Tyler said too,” he tells me. “We gave her name to the police as well.”
I squeeze his hand tight. “I’m glad you were there with me. If you wouldn’t have been, I might’ve…” I stop myself from finishing. “I don’t want to think about it.”
“I don’t either.” He leans over and brushes his lips across mine again. Just as he pulls away, the door to my room swings open. When I see Lexie’s bright smile, my face lights up.
She rushes forward, so Archer steps back to give her space. “Thank God! Do you know how worried I’ve been?”
I chuckle as she gives me a gentle hug. “I can only imagine. How have things been at work?”
“I’m holding down the fort. Dana and Heidi have been a big help. You don’t need to worry.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Thank you so much. I really owe you.”
She waggles her brows. “I’ll send you my wish list.”
“Don’t make me laugh,” I say, holding my stomach.
“Sorry. But seriously, I’m happy to help in any way I can. How are you feeling after surgery?”
“Like I need to track this woman down and return the favor,” I remark.
Lexie looks intrigued. “Oh, so you know it was a woman? Any other pieces to the puzzle?”
“Not really. I can’t remember shit, which is very frustrating.”
Archer randomly makes eye contact with me. Each time I meet his gaze, electricity streams from the pit of my stomach.
“I wonder if it’s someone who’s been lusting over Archer’s pictures and his six-pack.” She glances at him, then back at me with a raised brow. “Considering there have been some crazy women coming in and asking way too many personal questions about him. It’s gotten around town that you two are roommates, so perhaps, this was an act of jealousy.” She uses air quotes because she knows more than she should about our situation.
I think about it. “It’s actually not out of the realm of possibilities. A lot of women left comments, sent messages, called the store, and even came in and asked about it, so maybe?” Though I’m still leaning toward Natasha, I can’t help but wonder. “I wish I could remember. From what Archer said, it sounds like I knew her. So if that’s the case, it could’ve been a customer I’m familiar with.”
“Whoever it is, I have an ass to beat for nearly killing my favorite boss ever,” Lexie says.
I chuckle, appreciating her protectiveness. Next, she updates me with sales numbers. I inform her about the shipments arriving soon and anything else that comes to mind.
About ten minutes later, Tyler returns with a pitcher of water and a doctor.
“Glad to see you’re awake. I’m Dr. Landon.” She holds out her hand, and I take it before she continues. “Your brother said you were awake and had some questions.” She smiles, showing off her pearly white teeth.
“Yes,” I say, sitting up straighter. “A rundown of events would be great.”
“Of course. You had lost a lot of blood, so we immediately took you into surgery to stop the bleeding. You were at risk for a hematoma, which means there was blood in places it shouldn’t be. Because of the location of the wound and the sutures, you’ll be sore and need to rest. That means no work and no heavy lifting. Taking it easy is the key to a full recovery.”
I make a face, and she notices. “Your brother already warned me that you don’t tend to take breaks, but it’s doctor's orders. If you push yourself too hard, you could end up with complications, which would extend your healing time even further,” she informs me in a stern motherly tone.