Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Endless horrific visions kept pounding through my mind until the sound of my phone ringing finally pulled me from my seemingly never-ending nightmare. I figured it was Torch calling again, so I didn’t bother opening my eyes as I reached over and grabbed my phone. “Yeah.”
I was still half asleep when I heard Stitch order, “Meet me in the playroom in half an hour.”
“On my way.”
Stitch wasn’t a man to be kept waiting, so I tossed my covers back and got out of bed. I was feeling a bit groggy as I pulled on my jeans and boots, but it wasn’t anything a cup of coffee and an early morning bike ride wouldn’t fix—or so I hoped because it appeared I was in for another long day.
CHAPTER 4
Mia
“What are you still doing here?”
“What do you mean?”
“You didn’t hear the news?” Darby looked absolutely thrilled as she announced, “Dad lifted the lockdown!”
“Oh, really?” I’d been locked away in my room working and hadn’t talked to a soul since the day before. “I had no idea.”
“Yeah, Susana has already headed back, and I figured you had, too.”
“Nope. Still here.” I shrugged. “I think I might stick around for a while.”
“Really?”
“I think so... at least for a couple more days.”
“Hmmm, I see.” Darby walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Does this have anything to do with Wrath?”
“Maybe.” The words had barely left my mouth when doubts started to creep in. “I don’t know.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“Yeah, but not about anything that mattered.” I lowered my head to my hand and sighed. “If I’m being honest, I have no idea what I’d even say to him.”
“I’ve always believed that less is more.”
“I agree, but I can’t really say anything to him with the guys around all the time.” I looked up at her as I said, “I need to find a way to get him alone.”
“You could ask him over to your place.”
“Yeah, but I’m afraid to ask him over to dinner. He might shut me down before I ever get started.” I thought for a moment, then added, “I need an excuse like I need help replacing a door or something, but I can’t think of anything that needs to be fixed.”
“Then break something,” Darby suggested with a giggle. “Knock out a light. Rip out a wire. Anything that he might be able to fix for you.”
“I guess I could try that.”
“It's worth a shot, but first, you need to be sure you wanna go through with this.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well... I know Stitch and the brothers think a lot of him, but...”
“But what?”
“He can be a little intimidating.”
“He can be very intimidating, but you gotta remember who my father is.” I laughed as I told her, “He’s the king of intimidation. I can handle Wrath. I’m just...”
“If you’re worried if he’d be interested, he will be.” She gave me a warm smile as she said, “You’re gorgeous. He’d be a fool to pass up a chance to be with you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly his type.”
“I wasn’t aware that he had a type.” She thought for a moment, then said, “I’ve never even seen the man go on a date.”
“That’s because he’s always with one of the hang arounds.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“It means he likes what he likes.”
“Or maybe he hasn’t found the right woman yet.” She fluttered her eyelashes as she teased, “Until now...”
“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. “We’ll see about that.”
“Yes, we will.” She stood as she asked, “So, when are you going to talk to him?”
“I have no idea, but you’ll be the first to know when I do.”
“I better be!” She stepped over to me and gave me a quick hug. “I gotta get going.”
“Okay. Have a safe trip back.”
“I will.” A bright smile was plastered across Darby’s face as she started for the door. “Mia and Wrath... Wrath and Mia. I like it.”
“You are such a dork.”
“Yeah, but you love me!”
Before I could respond, she stepped out of the room and closed the door. As much as I hated to see her go, I knew she was eager to get back to her campus. It was a thought that had me thinking about my parents. I couldn’t believe that neither of them had come by to tell me about the lockdown, so I decided to call my mother and find out why.
I grabbed my cell phone and dialed her number.
As soon as she answered, I asked, “Where are you?”
“I’m at the house.”
“What about Dad?”
“He just left. He should be at the clubhouse by now. Why? What’s going on?”
“I’m just sitting here wondering why neither of you came by to tell me that the lockdown had been lifted.”
“Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she gasped. “I thought your father told you.”