Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
She looked away. “My mom died from brain cancer three years ago. Dad was all I had. My grandparents are dead. Neither of my parents had siblings. I couldn’t get anyone to take my calls at Dad’s lawyer before. When I was stranded in New York. So, I don’t think there will be any help there.”
“All right. Come on.” I led her to the passenger side of the Bronco and opened the door. She balked, stepping back as she dropped her head.
“I don’t think I should get in there,” she said, not meeting my gaze.
“Why not? You can’t walk back. I mean, you could, but it’s a good hike, and you don’t look like you’re capable at the moment.”
She took a deep breath, then closed her eyes before looking up at me. “I stink. I’m dirty. This is a brand-new vehicle. I don’t want to mess it up.”
That didn’t even warrant a response. I just picked her up and set her in the seat, shutting the door before she could protest. Girl was gutting me and not even trying.
* * *
Emmanuell
I’ve never been so mortified in my life. I was in a new vehicle with a guy I’d never met. I hadn’t taken a real bath or shower in days. My clothes were filthy. And he had to be the hottest guy I’d ever seen.
Ripper was classic bad boy. Muscles and tattoos everywhere and a full beard that hid scars underneath. One side of his face looked like it had been burned, but there were also gouges in his skin like maybe he’d been hit with shrapnel. Same with his arms. One had scars that went under his shirt sleeve, the other to just below his elbow. All of it was covered with intricate tattoos. All in all, he was as scary as he was beautiful, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it.
We pulled into a parking area next to a three-story building. There were five large bay doors that took up all but a small section of the first floor. Off in the distance, it looked like there were more buildings -- houses? -- being constructed along a ribbon of road connecting them all. In the fading light it was hard to tell, but it gave off a gated-community-type feel. Well, except for the loud music coming from the back.
“Party’s in full swing,” Ripper said as he escorted me inside the building. “You’re welcome to join.”
“I appreciate the invitation, but given my state of being at the moment, I don’t think it’s the best idea.” That got me a raised eyebrow, but he nodded curtly, then continued inside. Before we got to the stairs, which looked like our goal, a beautiful woman with jet-black hair in tight curls approached us with a warm smile. She didn’t look at Ripper, though. She looked straight at me.
“Welcome to the clubhouse.” She smiled, her golden eyes bright as she greeted me. “I’m Lucy. Mariana sends her apologies that she couldn’t meet you herself, but she just had surgery, and Doc has forbidden her from getting out of bed. To say nothing of Thorn. He’s still hovering like she was near death.” Lucy’s smile was genuine, and she sounded like she was laughing at the other woman’s husband for being a shade overprotective. I wasn’t sure what to think. No one had ever fussed over me.
“She could use a private space to rest.” Ripper’s voice was a low rumble, sending shivers through my body. I had no idea why I was so drawn to him, but everything about him appealed to me. He was everything my father wouldn’t have approved of, but I got the feeling there was more to this man than his outward appearance. I also thought that maybe this guy was also the kind of guy my father would have kept his eyes on. Just waiting for an excuse to bring him into his fold just to show everyone else that appearances were deceiving.
“Absolutely!” Lucy took my hand. “I’ve got the perfect room for you. Fully stocked with toiletries. Do you have a change of clothes? If not, I’ll round you up some. Me and the ol’ ladies always keep stuff in case it’s needed. We even have some really cute maternity outfits. Would you like me to bring you a few?”
“I don’t want to be a bother,” I said, looking away. “But I don’t have anything else. I’d be very grateful if you’d let me borrow a few things.”
“You’re not a bother at all. I’ll bring a couple changes of outfits for you while you freshen up. Ripper, I’ll have the girls make her a plate from the party. Would you mind bringing it up to her? She can eat and rest. If she feels like coming down, I trust you’ll find one of us for her?”