Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 87943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“How long?” Royce asked. “Do you mean how long have you been out?”
Sven nodded.
“Couple of hours. Sorry.”
“Why the hell did you bring me here? We should be going after Geoffrey.”
“We don’t know where to go, Sven.” Royce put his hand on Sven’s arm and squeezed. “We want to find him as badly as you do. But we also want to keep you, too. Rowe is freaking out not being able to be here. He’s filling in on a job, but Andrei should be here any moment. Apparently, he’s fond of the little guy.”
“Of course he is. Did you know Geoffrey went undercover for him once? That he helped shut down a live auction of kids? He’s so great.” He wasn’t unaware that his last sentence came out slurred. Also, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Groaning, he shook his head. “Andrei doesn’t need to come.” Sven grunted and forced himself to sit up. His head swam but he didn’t feel as badly as he’d expected. Mostly hungover. He swung his legs to the side of the bed and Dominic put his hands on Sven’s knees.
“Hey, there’s no reason for you to move yet. Quinn and Gidget are both in the office tonight tracking down anything and everything they can find on their list of suspects. Why don’t you let the doctors do their thing and make sure you’re okay?”
Sven had absolutely no intention of staying another moment in the hospital. Not when Geoffrey was out there helpless with who knew what happening to him. The pixilated hand in that video came to his mind and he shuddered, fighting back the dizziness. He looked down and saw he was in a damn hospital gown, then lifted an eyebrow at Dominic.
The redhead smirked. “Yep, we took your swim trunks off and put you in this piece of high fashion ourselves. Nice bod.”
All he could think about was Geoffrey being in the hands of a crazy person—one who could be doing anything to him. Anguish and fury ripped through him, a toxic mix that made his stomach churn. He surged to his feet and grabbed his wadded up swim trunks off a chair. He braced his hand on the wall and worked to get them on. He was still seeing double, so he missed the leg hole the first time.
Royce started cursing and grabbed the shorts. He held them out for Sven. “Just let us help. You’re obviously not going to stay and I get it. If I cared about someone the way I could see you’ve cared for Geoffrey—for months, you stupid big lug—I’d be frantic to get to him too. But listen.” He staggered as Sven tilted forward when he lifted his leg.
Dominic braced him, holding him steady as he got his other leg in the shorts. He grimaced because they were still damp and cold as hell.
“Well, those have to be miserable,” Dominic muttered. “If you’d just waited, you would have heard us say Andrei is bringing you clothes.”
“Call him and tell him never mind.” His voice sounded steadier. Good. “We’re leaving now. I want to see the footage.”
Sven pushed Royce’s hands away and finished pulling up the shorts, this time wincing when his dick shriveled up as it hit the chilly material. He eyed the unbuttoned, blue silk shirt Dominic wore over a T-shirt. Dressy, but it would do. “You were out?”
Dominic nodded. “And close to getting laid, asshole.” He frowned and crossed his arms protectively over his shirt. “I see what you’re thinking and no.”
Sven grabbed a handful of the hospital gown and ripped it off, feeling the ties give. He dropped it on the floor and held out his hand for the shirt. “Now, Dominic.”
“I love this shirt and your Hulk arms are going to ruin it.”
“I’ll buy you another, whiny ass. Give me the damn shirt.”
He sighed but handed it over. Both of his asshole coworkers cracked up when he had to force his arms through the shirt and Dominic winced when there was an audible rip. It wouldn’t shut all the way in the front for him to button it, but Sven didn’t give a shit as he strode out of the room on his bare feet. He didn’t bother to stop for anyone who came up to him. He just barreled his way out of the hospital and finally stood blinking into the night sky outside. The sweltering August heat lingered, making the shirt stick to his skin instantly. He looked around, having no idea where they’d parked and when he turned to ask, he had to brace a hand on the wall. Both men stared at him wide-eyed.
“Lucky for you, we parked on this side of the hospital.” Royce snorted and headed toward the parking lot. “Come on. Let’s get you some clothes and to the office while Dominic goes back and lets everyone in there know you had your own agenda which didn’t include checking yourself out.”