Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 114551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Tears well in my eyes as I look up at the familiar home. It’s not much, but for a long time, it was all I ever had, and that means the world to me. Aunt Liv’s car isn’t here, so I can only assume she’s out for the day, and despite needing to see her face, it’s probably for the best. I need some time to gather my thoughts and clean up. Hell, maybe even find some clothes that aren’t torn to shreds and fit me properly.
Making my way toward the door, I stop by the third garden gnome on the left and tilt his hat back to find the spare key, smiling at how normal and familiar this feels. It’s almost as though I can pretend none of the bullshit ever happened and everything is back to how it used to be. But then, denying the boys ever happened only makes my chest ache that much more.
After quickly unlocking the door, I glance up and down the street, double-checking that I haven’t been followed before slipping inside and locking the door behind me. I run around the house, pulling all the blinds closed before finally collapsing on the couch.
My stomach growls with hunger, but I don’t dare move, needing a moment to take it all in. Not a thing has changed, yet it feels so different now. Maybe I’m what’s changed.
The exhaustion quickly catches up with me, and before even taking a minute to shower and clean myself up, I scoot down on the couch and press my head against the familiar cushion, quickly losing my battle with consciousness.
It’s well past nightfall when I wake to a dark home, rubbing my hand over my sore, tired eyes before pushing up on the couch. I can’t help but quickly scan the room, making sure I’m still alone, and it’s clear Aunt Liv hasn’t made it home just yet, but she was always a busy woman, in and out. I never could nail down her crazy schedule.
Getting up from the couch, I risk a peek out the window, inching the blind aside to peer up and down the street before moving into the kitchen and looking out into the yard. Then deciding it’s safe enough, I finally allow myself the chance to feel human again.
Making my way down to my old bedroom, a small smile pulls at the corner of my lips, finding it just how I left it, clean clothes and all. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t exactly my favorite clothes out of my collection. All of that stuff was taken with me to Faders Bay, but it’ll have to do for now.
After grabbing a pair of workout leggings, clean underwear, and a tank, I make my way down the hall before stopping at the linen cupboard and taking a towel. Moving into the bathroom, I can’t help but lock the door behind me before finally facing the mirror and peeling off the motel attendant’s hoodie and my destroyed gown—a gown I first thought was absolutely breathtaking, only now it’s nothing but a reminder of the hell I’ve been through over the past twenty-four hours.
My gaze sails over my naked body, taking in the subtle bruising and scrapes along my skin. Hell, I don’t even try to look down at my feet, knowing exactly what I’ll find there. There’s still a massive gash across the front of my chest from Zade’s brilliant idea of taking me into that shitty old warehouse with a bunch of assassins, not to mention the lingering dark red scarring on my arm from the Ghost’s bullet.
This world has turned me into the worst kind of piece of art. I was a blank canvas before learning of Empire, and now I’m covered in horrendous memories, ones I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life.
Unable to take it a second longer, I reach into the shower and turn on the water, elation booming through my chest at the amazing water pressure.
I don’t hesitate, stepping into the shower and finally making myself feel somewhat human. I mostly cleaned up last night, but there’s nothing quite like the familiarity of your own shower. I scrub my hair before moving onto my body and going as far as to run a razor over my legs.
Feeling like a whole new person, I step out of the shower and wrap my towel around me before perching my ass on the edge of the bathtub and rubbing lotion into my sore, aching body, being extra careful with the blisters on my feet.
After getting dressed and fixing up my hair, I trudge into the kitchen, my stomach demanding to be fed, but the cupboards and fridge are empty. Hell, it looks as though Aunt Liv hasn’t been living here in weeks, and I suppose if she was placed in my life by Empire, then perhaps there’s no need for her to be here anymore.