Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
My fingers clutch onto the knife hidden there in its leather sheath. It takes me a second to buckle it around my ankle, but there’s no describing the sudden rush of relief I feel at bringing it with me. I doubt I’ll need it, but if I do, at least it’s there. My security men carry guns on them, but I prefer a more hands-on approach. Hence the knife being my weapon of choice. It’s ironic when you think about it. Head of a multibillion-dollar arms-dealing franchise, and I choose to carry around a knife.
It doesn’t take me long to find myself at the patio doors that lead off the ballroom. I slip outside and move down the slightly sloped lawn toward the cabin. The air holds a chill, reminding me fall will be here soon. In the distance, I spot the cottage. It's run-down and hasn’t been maintained in many years, as the mansion hasn't had a groundskeeper who stays on-site in over a decade. Not that it matters. The inside still holds furniture, and I know Ely keeps it as clean as she can for her little animals.
Not that they give a shit.
At the bottom of the hill, I spot two of my men. They stand about ten feet away from the cottage, their flashlights pointed at the ground.
I stop when I reach them. “What's going on?”
The one guard, fuck I can't remember his name, or maybe I never knew it, though he looks vaguely familiar, answers. “We were doing our roving patrol, as Rambo asked us to do. That’s when we spotted a light on through the window. We haven't been inside yet.”
I nod and scan the cabin. It's small, two rooms if I remember correctly. Nothing much more than a bedroom and open living area with a kitchenette. The building is livable, but the roof leaks, and it smells like wood and dirt. Or at least it did when I was a kid.
“I'll check it out. You guys stay behind me.”
They share an apprehensive look. “Sir...”
I wave them off. “Don't bother. Just stay behind me unless I say something.”
They step into place behind me as I stride toward the cottage door. I check the knob, giving it a little twist, and surprisingly, it's locked. Whoever’s hiding inside was smart enough to lock the door. It only takes a minute for me to grab the spare key I keep hidden under the frog figurine on the porch. Plucking the key from its hiding spot, I unlock the door and then twist the knob, pushing the door open gently.
Faint candlelight glows from the far side of the room by the empty fireplace. I freeze when I see a familiar face, her angelic features reflecting back at me in the dim light, her tiny body sprawled out on a sleeping bag.
What the hell is she doing out here?
The tension in my body eases, and I let out a sigh. Twisting around, I wave security on, letting them know there is no threat.
“Continue your patrol. It's not a threat. Just one of my other employees.”
They don't argue with me, taking my word for what it is, and turn to walk back toward the mansion, while I slip back inside the cottage. The place still smells of dirt and nature. I can’t help but wrinkle my nose.
Why would she subject herself to this? Is her room not good enough? The thought turns the blood in my veins to lava. If I find out she’s sleeping out here with these animals, I will punish her even if it shatters my self-control.
My attention catches on a small cat that sits on the mantel of the fireplace across the room, its orange fur barely visible in the low candlelight.
I can’t stand animals. They're messy and demanding of attention, two things I have no patience for. I catch the low rumble of a growl as I inch closer to Elyse, and then I spot the culprit, a black dog poking its face out of a small blanket near her knee.
“Watch it, Mutt,” I whisper as I crouch beside her. “Bite me, and it’ll be the last thing you do.”
My gaze moves from the dog to Elyse, and for one fleeting second, I do nothing but stare. She is beautiful but in the simplest of ways, without any fillers or makeup. I allow myself to memorize each inch of her delicate face, her pouty lips, and button nose. A whimper escapes her lips, and worry lines crease her forehead.
Dammit. I try to remind myself that she’s none of my concern, but I’m sure we both can see how well that’s going. My thoughts shift, and I’m back to thinking of my original question.
Why the hell is she out here?
Maybe she fell asleep while taking care of the animals, although that’s pretty unlikely. She’s been out here numerous times and never fallen asleep. Is there something else going on? I consider the alternative. Is she hiding out here to avoid me? With Yanov sniffing around, this is the last place she should be. I can’t protect her if I have no idea where she is. No one would even be able to hear her scream for help if he decided to show up and take her.