Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I slid backward, eager to get away from the men just to be safe, glancing over my shoulder to see how close I was to the entrance of my building.
“Help!” The word came out hoarse, and I choked on it, heart still racing with adrenaline and the force of the kick to my chest.
Fuck this. I turned on my hands and knees, knowing I could crawl faster than I could slide on my ass, anxious to get to the entrance. To safety.
A pair of hands landed on my back, and I froze.
“No! Get away! Help! Get off!”
I turned on my back and kicked with all the might I could muster, pushing at the attacker I couldn’t see. My baby needed me. Hell, I needed me, and I wasn’t ready for either of us to die.
“Stop fucking kicking me, Mo!” Jasper’s familiar voice grunted when I landed a kick.
“Where the fuck is Hulu, anyway? I’m going to kill him.”
“I’m right here. Just arrived to pick Mo up for her shift.” Hulu’s confusion was palpable because Jasper was pissed off, and he had no idea why.
“It’s not Hulu’s fault. I didn’t tell him my plans for today. I drove.”
“You what? What the fuck were you thinking? Didn’t I tell you no one goes out without protection? Stubborn fucking woman,” he grunted and helped me to my feet. “Are you okay?”
I took a step away on wobbly legs. I couldn’t see Jasper, not clearly, but he wasn’t quite as big as Hulu, and I took another step back.
“Get your hands off me! Did you send him here to kill my baby?”
It didn’t make sense that some thug had shown up with a message for Jasper, who happened to show up at the same time.
I could practically feel the anger vibrating off him, and I took another step back.
“Did you really just ask me that?”
“Answer the question.”
His shoulders fell. I could see that much. “No. What do you think I am? A fucking monster? I don’t hurt kids. Period.”
I believed him instantly. Jasper and I had never talked much, but he had the same haunted look in his eyes that I often saw in my own. He hid his demons from the world, and those demons kept him from being a monster.
“The things he said, about me fucking all the Ashbys sounded like they came straight from your mouth.”
“Ah fuck, Mo. I’m sorry this happened to you.” He slung an arm around my shoulder, and I stiffened for a moment before relaxing against him.
“Hulu, take that asshole to The Warehouse. I’ll meet you there after I get Mo settled.”
“Got it. Don’t do that shit again, Mo.”
I nodded at Hulu’s angry words, but I didn’t bother looking back because I still couldn’t see anything clearly.
Jasper kept his arm around me and guided me across the lobby, the sounds of slot machines and revelry in the background only highlighted the silence between us. Once we were inside the elevator to my condo, he sighed. “I’m an asshole, Mo, I know that. But I am not a fucking monster.”
I nodded, my head down.
Jasper lifted my chin and stared at me before he brushed a hand over my cheek. “You all right?”
“Just peachy,” I sighed. “He punched me in the face, kicked me in the chest, and I hit my head; otherwise, I’m grand. No need to worry about me.” I’d have the hotel doctor look me over when Jasper was gone.
“I came because I was worried,” he growled. “But you don’t look too sick to work.”
I shrugged. “Thanks. I just got beat up. I’m taking a few days off. I had a doctor’s appointment and errands I couldn’t take care of because I’m too tired after working eighteen-hour days at Midnight Mass and Lucky Lopez.”
“We need to get you to a doctor. Find out if you have a concussion and if the baby’s okay.”
His words were gruff, but I could hear the concern. Felt myself lean into that caring voice before I caught myself and took a step back.
“I’m fine, Jasper. The hotel doctor will look me over. Just help me to my room, and you can get back to business.”
His hands landed on my shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. “It wasn’t a request, Mo.”
“I’m off the clock, Jasper, which means you’re not my boss.”
He laughed, and the sound echoed as the elevator doors slid open on the penthouse floor.
“Haven’t you learned by now, Mo? I’m always the boss. Come on.” He hooked an arm around my waist and guided me down the hall to my condominium.
“My groceries.” The words limped out of my mouth, but it was the only thing I could think of with Jasper’s arms around me.
“It’s being taken care of.” His ominous words struck me as odd, and I stopped right in front of my door, digging deep in my purse for the keycard.