Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Reid,” a soft voice started to cut through my haze of rage.
I kept punching even after he went limp in my arms and stopped making the piggish squealing sounds.
“Reid,” the voice came again. “Reid, please.”
The second her delicate, perfect little hand landed on my shoulder, the fog of rage lifted, and my tunnel vision vanished, allowing me to drop the useless man at my feet.
He made a vague gurgling sound that told me he wasn’t dead.
It was really a shame.
I looked over at Charlotte, a bright red mark blooming on her cheek, and I wanted to kick him all over again, but she pulled on my arm.
“Reid, you need to leave now. I’m sure someone called the police. You need to go. They are going to fire you for this. I can’t stop them, but I don’t want them to arrest you.”
Her concern for me was adorable.
Giving the pile of cloth and blood that was Romney a final kick, I grabbed my tuxedo jacket as I reached for her hand. “Let’s go.”
She stared down at the blood smeared across the knuckles of my outstretched hand. “I can’t go with you. I have guests to deal with, and I have to figure out how to deal with this, and I…”
I wiped my hand on my pants, not wanting to get any blood on her beautiful white dress or porcelain skin. Really, I didn’t want her tainted by any part of that man.
Then I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her against my chest. I cut her off with a searing kiss, knowing it was the only way to shut her up and keep her from spiraling out of control.
“Please…” She looked up at me, her eyes blown wide.
I loved that I affected her as much as she affected me.
Reaching into my pocket, I took out my phone and snapped a photo of her bruised cheek.
I fired off a text to her father.
Reid: Your future son-in-law’s handywork.
Lucian: Where is he? I’ll kill him.
Reid: Mostly taken care of. Just follow the blood. I’m getting Charlotte out of here.
Lucian: Go. I’ll handle things here.
Lifting my phone to show her the screen, I said, “There. Your father knows he hit you, and I’ve dealt with him. Let him handle the fallout. Right now, I need to get you out of here.”
Her eyes were still wide as she pressed the back of her thin fingers to her cheek, no doubt trying to cool the burning ache and stem the swelling.
She didn’t move, just looked at me and then down at the slumped-over, unconscious form of the lesser man.
We didn’t have time for this.
I grabbed her. “Princess, this is not a request. It’s an order.”
She nodded but didn’t move.
So I grabbed her and threw her over my shoulder.
CHAPTER 22
REID
The hallway was fortunately still clear.
“Reid! Put me down this instant!”
“Hush, babygirl. I’m working.”
Her small hands pressed against my back as she tried to leverage herself up. “This is preposterous. You have to let me go explain to my father.”
With a closed fist, I punched the button for the back service elevators. “Your father knows all he needs to know right now.”
Careful of her head, I ducked as I entered the elevator before hitting the lower ground level button for the kitchens. Having swept the building before the event, I knew of multiple escape routes.
Finally, I lowered her to her feet and placed her before me. Grasping her chin, I tilted her head back. “You’re going to be a good girl for me and follow quickly and quietly.”
“But—”
I placed a finger over her lips. “Emphasis on quietly.”
Her lips moved against my finger with her frustrated sigh. “This is crazy. I can’t just leave.”
The corner of my mouth lifted as I winked. “Technically, you’re not leaving. You’re being kidnapped.”
The key to not getting stopped was to stare straight ahead, not make eye contact, and walk with a determined purpose.
In less than ten minutes, I had Charlotte in my truck. I wasn’t taking her to the safe house or even back to the Manwarring estate.
I was taking her home.
Charlotte was silent the entire trip.
Even when I pulled into the underground parking garage of my building.
It wasn’t until I opened her door and helped her out that she started asking questions.
“Where are we?”
“I am taking you to my apartment, where it is safe, and you can be alone and unbothered for a bit,” I said, taking her hand and leading her to the elevator.
“Where are we?” she asked again as the shock began to settle in.
Her body pressed against mine as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and held her close.
When we got to my apartment, I opened the door to the simple one bed, one bath, with a small kitchenette space. Truth was, I didn’t need a large space because I spent little time cooped up here. At least it was clean.