Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
I loved the art of tattoos. Personally, I didn’t have any yet, but I wasn’t opposed to the idea.
“Sorry, my car shut off and won’t cut back on,” I explained. “The hazard lights won’t even come on.”
He smirked. “I can see that, baby.” His voice was raspy with fatigue or maybe smoking for too many years.
“I have a tow truck coming,” I lied. “And my boyfriend.” I quickly added to the lie with another lie. Hey, I was already this deep into the story, why not?
I had seen those videos from men on social media too. The ones where you could play it in the back of a ride share to make it sound like there was a boyfriend waiting for you and aware of your location. Except, I didn’t save not one of those recordings. Even though, I loved the concept and thought that was important, I also never believed I would be stranded with a man who clearly could overpower me.
He stood well over six feet tall. His gaze pierced through me as if he was studying me. His entire demeanor screamed don’t mess with me. Yet, his eyes told me the man had a story. One that didn’t involve raping me, kidnapping me, or any type of harm coming to me.
Sure, I was certifiable to even allow myself to think I was safe around him. Maybe my drink was spiked. I only had bottled water, but maybe there was something in it, making me think this man was okay.
“Might not need that tow, baby. Let me get it off the road and take a look.”
I didn’t know what to say.
Luckily or unluckily for me, he took over. In the blink of an eye, he had my car off the road and the hood open.
“Cable came loose. Try it now,” he muttered from behind the hood of my car. I did as instructed and the car came back to life.
“Oh my God! Thank you,” I told him jumping out as he closed the hood. “I can’t say thank you enough,” I reached back in the car for my purse.
He stepped into my space. I was caged between my car door, my driver’s seat, and him. Moving my butt brushed against him as I grabbed my purse. Turning, he closed in more. Needing to breathe, I inhaled. The smell of his leather, cologne, and a hint of a menthol cigarette were intoxicating.
“Let me pay you,” I whispered, “mister,” I paused because I never got his name.
“Gabriel, but my friends call me Gonzo.”
I forced my mouth closed as I realized it was hanging open. I wanted to ask why Gonzo but thought better of it. “I’m IvaLeigh Walsh, Gonzo. I am thankful to meet you tonight.” Opening my wallet, I retrieved a hundred-dollar bill. His hand came around mine as electricity shot through me. Heat coursed through my veins like never before.
“Keep your money. Want to make sure there weren’t any lights on the dash before you take off, baby.” He motioned to my car’s interior.
Instantly, I felt like a fool.
First, he was old enough to be my dad and second, he wasn’t interested in me, he was checking the car. He probably had kids my age and was doing what any parent would. What the hell was I thinking?
“I would like to pay you. After all, in today’s world not everyone has good intentions like helping a stranger get back on the road.”
His face changed to a darker look. One that caused the hair on my arms to raise as goosebumps ran through my body.
“Intentions matter, sweetheart.” He began leaving me reeling, “Never trust that anyone has pure intentions.”
With a soft kiss to my forehead, Gonzo backed away returning to his bike. Deciding this night needed to be over, I climbed in my car. He put on his helmet, but didn’t start his motorcycle until I had my car on and in gear.
The rest of the drive home, I had a single headlight in my rear view until reaching the gate of my parent’s community where he twisted his throttle which made the engine rev louder before he took off to wherever it was he went.
I pulled into my childhood home with one thing on repeat in my head.
“Intentions matter, sweetheart. Never trust that anyone has pure intentions.”
Part Two
Gonzo’s Grudge
There were always casualties of war.
That was what Gabriel “Gonzo” Gonzales told himself once he locked in on the target of his grudge. The man who shattered his world had a weakness in his only daughter, Gonzo would exploit this any way he could.
IvaLeigh Walsh lived a sheltered life behind the gated community she was raised in. College was a new freedom and she was learning not everyone could be trusted.
One misfortune after another plagued the young woman. Yet, at every turn a stranger who called himself Gonzo seemed to be her savior.