Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“If you’re sure,” she says.
“Yep, definitely. Go enjoy your day.”
“You too, Grace. It was nice getting a chance to talk to you.”
“It was,” I answer, and I find I’m not completely lying.
Once we say our goodbyes, she disappears among the people milling around. I start to call Asher but decide to go to the restroom first. I don’t want to keep sitting out here. With my luck, Andrew might walk by. That’s the last thing I need.
I take off toward the restroom. I’m twirling the locket in my hand, thinking that soon I’ll be back home, leaving Andrew, Sloane, and most likely Ford in the past. That’s for the best. I’m better when it’s just me and Asher. I walk toward the restroom, not really watching the people around me, which is a mistake.
“Look what we got here,” a man laughs, grabbing the locket and ripping it out of my hand.
“Zero, what the fuck, dude?”
“I just wanted to see if it was gold,” the man says. The guy behind me has one arm around me, his hand slapped on my mouth, keeping me from screaming. “It’s fake, damn it,” he adds, letting my locket fall.
“You’re such an idiot, Zero.”
I fight, trying to get away. Unfortunately, they have pulled me around the corner into the small corridor leading to the restrooms. It’s eerily empty. Then, I notice the out-of-order sign.
“Quit using my name, asshole.”
“Why? Who’s going to hear it? This bitch is dead once the boss and Any get ahold of her. Are you sure we got the right girl?”
“Any said she had red hair with big tits,” he says, slapping his filthy hand against my breast and squeezing it. I try to bite the hand on my mouth but can’t. “Plus, she was talking with Vector all chummy like last night. Right?”
“True. True,” Zero says. My eyes get big as saucers as he pulls out a syringe, grinning at me with his half-rotted teeth. “Say goodnight, hot stuff.”
The other guy holds me so tight that I can’t move. I’m helpless. He thrusts the needle into my neck. Before I can figure out what to do next, my vision blurs, and darkness swallows me.
15
FORD
Waking up to an empty hotel room is not what I wanted. I don’t normally sleep in late at all. There was just something about having Grace close by that felt good. I went to bed with a smile on my face. That smile is gone now, however. I took a shower, and she still hasn’t returned. I tried her cell, but it went straight to voicemail. I would have thought she was dodging my calls, but she isn’t even aware that I have her number. I got it from Grunt and King’s report. I finally load up our things—mostly because I am trying to kill time. When I discovered Grace had already packed all her belongings and her satchel was waiting on the bed, I decided to just carry it down to the truck. We can grab a quick breakfast, check out, and I can get her to Asher sooner that way. I’m actually glad she did pack. If I hadn’t seen her case, I would have thought she went back home without waiting for me. I smile, thinking of how I had to talk her into even packing an overnight bag. She resisted, but she gave in pretty easily. I mean, we’re not ninety minutes away from her house. I feel like getting her to agree was a small victory. It felt like I won the lottery that she was even thinking about spending the night with me. I knew I wouldn’t get her under me like I wanted, but I was hoping she’d at least cuddle in the bed with me. That didn’t happen, and I wasn’t about to push her. One thing is crystal clear to me. Grace is not like other women. I personally appreciate that. I need for her to realize she can trust me. I’m not going to let her down. It’s clear that’s what she’s used to. I’m going to prove that her and Asher are both safe with me.
That reminds me, last night Grace mentioned something to me and I want to follow up on it. That’s another reason to take our bags to the truck. I need some privacy. I don’t want Grace overhearing what I have planned. I take our bags in one hand and slide the keycard to the room in my pocket, then head out. I gave Grace her own keycard, but I doubt she’ll come back to the room before I find her. I’m pretty sure she’s avoiding me this morning.
The elevator ride seems to take forever. As I step out into the lobby, my gaze automatically goes to the coffee area. I had hoped to see Grace sitting there, but no such luck. I frown. She’s probably souvenir shopping for Asher. She mentioned it in passing last night. I’ll track her down after I put our stuff in the vehicle. I know she’s anxious to get home. She misses her boy. After hearing her talk to him on the phone last night, I want to get the two of them back together, too. I thought my days of having kids were done, but as I listened to her talk to her son, I wondered what it would be like if she carried my child. Would she even want my child? Would the sweetness she showed her son shine through when she met Lyla? Lyla’s grown, but I’d still love for her to have the influence of a woman’s touch in her life. Someone she can ask questions when she wonders about Tam-Tam. I know that Lyla’s biggest worry is failing as a mother, since she never truly had one herself. Grace could be that emotional support for her. It sounds crazy, but I’ve never wanted anything more.