Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
First, I need to talk with Lilith. I know that woman will know what to do. She runs this place like a general on speed, and she always has the answers. I’ve grown to really respect her, and I know I can learn a lot from her as my mentor.
I glance at the clock and realize I really lost track of time. I should have left hours ago, but I got lost in what I was doing.
Gathering everything together, I put my cell phone in my pocket after checking to make sure I have taken all the photos that I’ll need. I hope Lilith is still here. Maybe I should text Fritz, too? As soon as I have that thought I dismiss it. Lilith would want to be the one to control this. And I don’t want to overstep. I can’t treat him like a boyfriend here. I need to go to my superior first.
I pick up the folder full of all the information I have on the crates and everything I wrote down. Then I grab my bag, thinking I’ll leave after I talk to her. I close up the crates and leave them where they are. If Lilith wants to come inspect them she can.
I make my way out of the warehouse and down the long hall to her office. When I see the light on under her door I’m a little relieved. I raise my hand to knock but stop short when I hear a whimper on the other side of it. It’s followed by a deep sound, and I push on the door as I call out to make sure she’s all right.
“Lilith? Are you okay?” I ask softly, not wanting to scare her.
When the door swings open, I stand there in shock.
Fritz is on his knees in front of Lilith, her bare legs are spread wide and his face is buried between them. Lilith’s head is thrown back and another cry of pleasure escapes her.
“Oh my god,” I choke out, as the image of the two of them is burned into my brain.
I feel the warm liquid pool in my mouth—a sign that I’m about to throw up—and I have to fight it back down. I reach out and grab the door as a sob escapes me.
Lilith’s head snaps up at the sound, and her eyes lock on mine. Fritz turns his head but doesn’t make a move to get up, and I stand there like I’ve been struck by lightning.
All this happens in a split second before I turn around and run. I need to get the hell out of here. My mind is racing with too many things at once.
I don’t hear anyone call my name or chase after me as I stumble as fast as I can out of the gallery. I can hardly see where I’m going, but when I feel the cool air hit my face I know I’m outside.
What I don’t expect is the suited man in front of me, and I nearly bowl him over in my attempt to get free of what I just witnessed.
“Sorry, I-I…” I stutter, but the stranger wraps his big arms around me.
For a moment I sob into his chest, not caring that I don’t even know him. I blink back the tears and lean back, trying to apologize again when I happen to catch a glimpse of Johnny standing in a shaft of light behind the stranger.
“Johnny?” There’s a sad look on his face and my mind can’t catch up with everything that’s happening. “What are you doing here?”
I look up to the man comforting me, but there are too many shadows and it’s too dark to see his face fully. The only thing I can tell for sure is that he’s got bright green eyes that I feel like I’ve seen before. Even his smell is familiar.
“Shhh.” In a deep voice, his chest rumbling against mine, he says, “It’s all going to be okay.”
I don’t know why, but I find comfort in his voice. It soothes me, and though I’m not even close to okay, I feel better. But before I can focus on that for too long, I feel a sharp pinch above my elbow, and I look down to see the stranger removing a needle from my arm.
“Go to sleep, little cricket,” he says, and my eyes get heavy as my lids fall closed.
Chapter 6
Ryker
“Are you sure about this?” John asks as he paces nervously.
He’s been this way since I told him my plans. I knew this morning when he stepped out he was going to see Blair for a moment. Not that I blamed him. She has a magnetism that I know all too well. I would be lying if I didn't admit I felt some jealousy of the closeness they share. He had something with her that I didn’t. But I fought it back knowing that John only wants the best for her. And I was able to pacify myself knowing that in time I’ll have her in all always.