Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
The men didn’t look at any of the members of Torpedo Ink after that first quick glance of alarm. They clomped in their heavy boots up the main aisle straight to the counter. Sabelia called out to Hannah that she was needed. Almost immediately, Hannah stuck her head out from behind a closed door in the far back and smiled at the two men.
“I’ll be right with you.”
Her smile could have charmed a raging saber-toothed tiger. Those large blue eyes and generous mouth were enough to make anyone want to do exactly what this woman asked. Ambrielle couldn’t imagine her husband winning any arguments. Hannah was so beautiful, and with her voice, how could someone have managed to slash her to ribbons with a knife? Couldn’t she have just cried out, No, and her attacker would have been compelled to stop?
Ambrielle had said no. Her parents had said no. There wasn’t any way to stop men like Walker Thompson. When they wanted something and they ran into opposition to get it, they simply mowed down anyone or anything in their way. She could smell the faint scent of blood and gunpowder and was instantly nauseated. Had Gleb and his partner, Denis, found Master? He would be groggy from whatever they were using to numb his throat. It would be so easy to kill him.
The conversation swirling around her receded even further. She heard laughter as if in the distance. Czar’s voice. The low murmur of a woman’s voice. Mama Anat answering. Her lungs burned from lack of air. She wrapped her arms around her middle, cold invading until she thought she might freeze.
Was Ice watching over Master? How did the doctor biopsy the polyps in Master’s throat? She hadn’t asked. She pictured the doctor numbing his throat. Pressing one hand deep to her stomach in an effort to stop the churning, she pressed the other to her forehead, hoping she would remember what he’d said or done the night before. He’d been quiet mostly. But he’d been taking pills. He never did that. He’d been in the bathroom often. Most of the night. He hadn’t eaten anything. That was unlike him. Why hadn’t she asked more questions?
Ambrielle was nearly in a full-blown panic attack. Her blood thundered in her ears, drowning out the voices and laughter swirling around her. Her eyes burned. She didn’t have panic attacks. She didn’t cry in public. She didn’t need a man to lean on. She wasn’t clingy. Master was in the middle of a procedure, totally vulnerable, and he was in danger. She felt the danger creeping up on him. She had to get to him. Where was the doctor’s office? Why hadn’t she asked?
Ambrielle pressed a hand to her churning stomach. Master. I have to find you.
The air in the room was stuffy. There were too many people in the small space. She had to find a way to reach him. To get to him.
“Ambrielle.” Seychelle’s voice was very soft, but extremely compelling. “Look at me. Open your eyes and look at me.”
She hadn’t realized her eyes were closed. She lifted her lashes and saw that several members of Torpedo Ink had crowded around the table, their large bodies cutting off the view from everyone else in the room. No one could see her but those at the table and the men surrounding them.
“I have to get to Master. He’s in trouble,” she whispered, willing them to believe her.
Czar stood closest to her, Savage beside him. Czar rested his hand very gently on her shoulder. “Ice is with Master, and he would never, under any circumstances, leave his side. He’s protected, Ambrie. He wanted to ensure you were protected and that you were having a good time.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve texted Ice, asking when Master will be recovered enough to join you.”
“I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that just won’t go away,” she said. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but I know he’s in danger. I need to get out of here. I can protect him.”
None of the men laughed at her or even exchanged looks over her head.
Lana reached out and gripped her hand. “I’m so grateful you married him. He deserves someone in his life who puts him first.”
“Ice just texted me back,” Czar announced. “They’re on their way here, Ambrie. Master said to wait right where you are; he’s coming to you. He wants you to ask Hannah to have one of her special soothers waiting for him.”
Ambrielle should have been happy. It wasn’t that she thought Czar would lie to her. She had her own phone. She could text Master herself and ensure he was out of the doctor’s office. She didn’t like that there was only Ice to protect him. She really had a bad feeling. Biting down hard on her lip to keep from blurting out that the entire Torpedo Ink club should go to him, she forced herself to nod and sat there while they all sat back down in their seats as if the matter were resolved.