Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Now Ellie, she’s not replaceable, and when something is priceless, protect it with everything, including your own life. Nick here doesn’t only not get that, he wouldn’t be able to do it either.
In fact, his ass got discharged from the military for an injury. They were nice enough to say it was an honorable discharge, which was bullshit. Oh, he was hurt, but it happened when he was running from a mission, leaving his brothers behind to die.
If Nick is lucky, he might not die today. That luck lies all in Ellie’s hands. The same could be said for a lot of people.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ELLIE
Ro wasn’t kidding when he told me he had a surprise. I wouldn’t have ever guessed this. Nick is looking rough.
He might have been a Marine, but he was always put together. His hair was styled, and his clothes were in the latest trend. If he could show off his arms and abs, he would. He cared about how people perceived him. Nick has always been cocky. Ronan has taken him down more than a few pegs. I hope it's humbling for him.
I know I tease that Ronan is insane, and maybe he is. I’m not a doctor. But what I do know is if Ronan brought Nick down here, it’s for a reason, and right now, that reason is Cyberius.
“He’s why Cyberius knows things about me. About my mother.” That has to be it. There is no other logical way in my mind that someone would know such intimate details. Believe me, I have been pondering it since I found out. It’s been driving me insane, and part of me had a feeling it was going to be someone selling me out. It makes me sad but more than that, angry. I think if it were any other random details then I wouldn’t take it so personally.
“Marks.” It’s strange hearing Nick call me Marks. The two worlds I tried to keep apart are melding together. “Cyberius is trying to save you.” He keeps going. He’s a dumbass and has no clue what he’s talking about. “It’s how he and I found each other.”
That was going to be my next question. “Have you questioned him already?” I don’t even address anything Nick has said to me. I swear I have the urge to find out once and for all how an eyeball looks when it comes out of the socket.
“Not really. I was waiting to see if you wanted to be here.”
“Because we don’t hide, especially things from each other.”
“I would never.” I believe him. Ronan would tell me anything if I asked him. Sure, it might come with a warning, the same as he did before we came here, but still I had the choice. I was part of the plan, essential to it, and Ronan wanted me to know that.
“Marks,” Nick tries again.
“I’m getting to you,” I snip at him, getting more annoyed. That gross pee smell isn’t helping either.
Cosima so doesn’t want to come to the hole, ever. She might have a streak for violence when the time calls for it, but in a boutique or a fancy room with high ceilings and crown molding with no chance of spiders.
“How the hell did you find Cyberius?”
“He found me. We had common ground.”
“You don’t have a common ground, moron.” I shake my head. “Now again, how did you two link up? He can’t just poof and find you.”
“He did! I swear!” he protests. I huff out a breath. Nick really is a dumbass. I always thought so, but I have all the proof now.
“He found you because you did something. Something that was linked around me. What did you do?” Nick is shaking his head no.
“Really, I was trying to find you because you’re never home. I wanted to see you. I had an old email, and I tried there, but you didn’t respond, so I asked around.”
It’s hard to recall what information Nick might know about me. I have known him since I was a kid. Hell, he knew my mom.
“All right, whatever.” That doesn’t matter at the moment. “Tell me everything. All the details of the things you two spoke about. All of it, or I’ll have Ronan here cut out your eyes,” I bluff. I mean, he can cut them out, but I’m not staying to watch that.
“Please! I’ll tell you everything. Just keep him away from me.” I know I shouldn’t, but I smile, thinking about how fearful Nick is of Ronan. I should probably have a little of that too, but I feel the exact opposite. My Ro is planted firmly behind me, always at my back, even when I didn't know it.
“Then what are you waiting for?” As much as I wanted to know what the hole is, I’m not a fan of hanging out in it. There is no Wi-Fi, and it smells.