Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“I’m scared, Riot.” Her voice was so soft I barely heard her. “Not of you. I’m scared of what Doug might do. I’m scared for Caleb. I’m scared of what happens next.” Her eyes lifted to mine, those pale blue orbs seeing more than I wanted her to see. “I’ve never been on my own. Not like this. I’ve never had to make decisions like this, and I find I’m ill-equipped because I know the right thing to do is to shove you out the door and stick with my original demand that we not share an apartment.” Her hand rubbed gently, up and down. I got the feeling she was comforting herself in some way. Like maybe the fabric under her hand soothed her.
When she met my gaze again, I knew she was going to let me stay. “But my instinct is telling me I need you here. You feel… I don’t know. Safe? Having you stay here with us might not be the smart thing to do, but I think it’s the right thing.” She cleared her throat and gave a subtle lift of her chin. “So I’d appreciate it if you’d be so kind as to stay with us and watch over both of us while we’re here.”
“You’re not alone now.” I covered her hand with my own. “Even if I’m not in this apartment, I’m never far away. I promise you that.”
She bit her lip, indecision written all over her face. Finally, she nodded. “All right. But I want you to promise me something.”
“Name it.” Hell, I’d promise -- and deliver -- the moon if she asked it!
“Don’t lie to me. Ever. Even if you think the truth will hurt me or make me pull away from you. I’ve had enough lies, deceit, and pain to last a lifetime.”
The weight of her request hit me hard. I’d never planned to lie to her, but I hadn’t planned on telling her everything either. Some truths were better left buried. But looking into those eyes, I knew I couldn’t give her anything less than complete honesty.
“I promise.” The words felt like a vow, heavy and binding.
“Good.” She stepped back, taking her hand away from where I had it trapped against my chest. I felt the loss like a physical blow, wanting to cling when it wasn’t appropriate. “I think all the bedrooms have bedding and such, but I’m sure you know how to help yourself if you need to.” Her smile was genuine, and there was a measure of relief that she wasn’t frightened and actually welcomed my presence.
As she walked away from me, my gaze might have lingered places it shouldn’t, but what struck me most about this woman was her absolute courage. She was obviously beaten down, but she’d only surrendered ground to gain the battle in the end. I had a long way to go with her, but she was giving me a chance to prove my worth. Once she saw I was useful, maybe she’d start seeing me as someone she could be with.
Or I could be kidding myself. Either way I was getting ready to have to explain myself to the pissed-off preteen from before, because Caleb clearing his throat was what pulled me out of my thoughts. And my gaze away from Violet’s ass.
“Sorry,” I muttered, shoving my hands in my pockets. Then I pulled them out and put my shoulders back. I might be a criminal, but I was still a man, Goddamnit. There was just something about having a woman’s kid catch you staring at her ass to make you feel like a naughty child. “I’m not gonna, you know… I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“I never said anything.” Caleb might not even be a teenager yet, but he already had an intimidating stare I had no problem interpreting.
“You didn’t have to. I’m a convicted felon looking at your mom. But I don’t hurt innocents, and your mom and you, and the old ladies, are the only innocent people in this whole fucking place. And a couple of the women ain’t as innocent as either of you.”
Caleb snorted. “You’re weird. You know that?”
“Kid, you have no idea.” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling uncomfortable but not wanting to leave the kid before he was ready. I’d been through this a lot in prison. Caleb was sizing me up. I wanted him to see exactly who I was. “You want to do a round with me? Make sure the place is secure?”
Caleb narrowed his eyes at me. “What do you mean? I thought you said the place was safe.”
“It is. But I thought you might like to see for yourself.”
He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it, shook his head, and tried again. “No. I wouldn’t know what I was looking at.” I could tell it took the kid a lot to admit that.