Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 134654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Throwing the car into gear, he stomped on the accelerator; we tore away in a spray of gravel and soot.
I pursed my lips as I slid recklessly on the slippery leather, knocking already bruised elbows against the door. I didn’t protest. In a way, we weren’t just escaping the scene of an arson, but also running from a past that’d scarred both of us.
The sooner we were on neutral ground the better.
Keeping my eyes trained on the road, the only scenery illuminated was the golden strip from the headlights. The rest of the night was a blur of blackness.
Arthur didn’t speak as he took a left at the bottom of the gravel road and sped away just as the red and blue lights of help appeared from the right.
The car purred, chewing up ground faster and faster until my heart wedged itself in my throat. A few minutes passed before I squeaked, “Arthur, they’re far behind us. We’re safe. Can you … eh … can you slow down, please?”
He kept his eyes locked in front, but obeyed. The speed went from bullet to racecar, still too fast for my liking but an improvement nevertheless.
“You okay?” I asked. For some reason, I couldn’t shake the fear that no matter his assurances, he wasn’t okay. Something was wrong. Yet again, he was hiding. And yet again, I was lost.
“I’m fine. Stop asking that.”
I stiffened. Just because I couldn’t voice them didn’t mean my questions stopped. They kept me company as we drove in silence for a while. Finally, after miles were between us and the remains of Dagger Rose, I couldn’t stand the noiselessness any longer.
I carefully chose a topic that wouldn’t lead to an argument. “What exactly are you wearing by the way?”
The random question of his awful sweatpants and shirt made him laugh, cracking the tension. “It was this or a hospital gown with my ass hanging out. Be grateful it’s this.” He cast me a look in the mirror. He looked terrible. Feverish and white.
My heart tripped. “I want to know the full story of why you were in the hospital, but I’ll wait. However, I do need to know if you should be driving with a concussion.”
He looked away. “Probably not.”
I shuffled forward, reaching for him again, but he twisted in his seat and slammed his palm against my thigh. “Stay there. If I’m concussed, so are you. We both have pretty lumps and until you’ve been checked out, I don’t want you moving.” His voice turned bossy. “In fact, lie down. I don’t want you sitting up, especially without a seat belt.” He added deathly quiet, “Especially as I can barely see the road.”
“What was that?”
His skin stretched over his aristocratic cheekbones. “Nothing. Buckle up.”
Ideally what I wanted to do was crawl into the front seat so I could watch him closely, but Arthur’s fingers tightened around my leg. “Buttercup … do it.”
Huffing, I slid sideways. Once I was settled, he took his hand off my leg and placed it back on the wheel.
“Happy?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I won’t be happy until the shit inside my skull is sorted and I know you’re okay. Seeing you covered in blood is driving me insane.” His eyes flickered to mine, then back to the road. “You sure they didn’t cut you. You’re not bleeding anywhere?”
I smiled softly, loving his concern for me. His protectiveness. “Yes, I’m fine. Just the head bump.” He didn’t need to know what else his father did. I wasn’t raped—thank God—but the violation of his touch between my legs was a distant echo that I doubted a shower could wash away.
I didn’t know if it was shock keeping the past events from consuming me or the knowledge that Rubix would never have another chance to lay a hand on me—either way, Rubix had screwed up and it would cost him his life. There was no other path for him and I meant to be there when it ended.
Arthur will kill him. And we’ll both be safe.
My attention zeroed in on his injury. He had to get better and quickly. I had no intention of us ever being apart again. No wound or disease could deny us a happy future.
I won’t let it.
It was his responsibility to protect me and look after himself, just like it was mine to tend to him and love him unconditionally.
“We should go back to the hospital. I think you need to be seen by another doctor, Art.” I tucked my arms beneath my makeshift clothing. “You’re hiding something from me. You’re not as well as you say you are. And I won’t let you hurt when you can get help.”
His nostrils flared. “Always so damn nosy and bossy.” He narrowed his eyes. “Hospitals are public places. Anyone can get to us there. I agree, I need another doctor—we both do. But I’m not going to the hospital.”