Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
It was right then that there was a knock at the door.
“Everybody decent?” Spike called.
Rune reached out to pull open the door.
“Found one,” Spike said, waving a black brace in the air. “I’ll be gentle,” he told me as he undid the velcro then slid the brace up my arm. “But this part might suck a little,” he warned as he slid my two middlemost fingers into an opening, then tightened the straps around them. “If you swell, you might want to loosen this. Won’t be doing any good to fix the break and lose your fingers to lack of circulation.”
“Got it,” I agreed. “This already feels a little better.”
“One of these might help too,” Spike said, producing two bottles from his pockets: one over-the-counter, one prescription. “How about I get you something to take them with? Vodka? Beer? Coffee?”
“Water?”
“Got it.”
When we were alone again, Rune set the pills on the dresser and pulled me toward the edge of the bed, pulling me to sit down beside him.
“You’re staying here until we figure this out.”
It wasn’t a question.
“I was kind of hoping I could,” I admitted. “For a night or two maybe.”
“Until it’s sorted,” he reiterated. “I’m not letting anything happen to you. Besides, you’re gonna need help getting dressed and undressed,” he said, eyes dancing. “I think I’m the right man for that job.”
A little laugh escaped me at that as I nudged him with my shoulder. “Do you have a spare pillow and blanket?”
“Got everything you need right here.” He waved back at the bed. “I’ll grab a bed in the prospect room. There’s always space.”
“I’m not going to put you out of your room.”
“It’s done.”
Spike knocked, then opened the door.
“Brought water. And some snacks in case you wake up hungry at three in the morning. Maybe that’s just me, though.”
“Thanks for everything, Spike. Really.”
“Didn’t do shit,” Spike said, shrugging. “Get some rest. I won’t lie and say it’s so you’ll feel better in the morning, because that would be a lie. But when you’re unconscious, you don’t feel all the pain. So there’s that.”
“I appreciate a realistic pep talk,” I told him.
“Goodnight, Carmen, was it?”
“Yes.”
“Goodnight, Carmen.”
“Goodnight.”
Alone, we sat awkwardly for a moment before Rune got to his feet. “I’m just gonna set out a new toothbrush for you. And towels. But don’t try to force taking the brace or clothes off. I can help.”
“Okay,” I agreed, watching him disappear into the bathroom.
“The prospect room is the one at the far end of the hall,” he called to me. “If you need anything, you can find me in there. Feel free to move around the clubhouse, though, if you need more to eat or drink. Or just go stir-crazy in here. Do you need me to grab anything out of the car?”
“I think I’m good until the morning. Thanks.”
“Get some sleep, okay?” he said, stopping in front of me to gently place a hand to the side of my face. “And take some of the pain meds, if you need them.”
With that, he was gone, turning off the big light as he went.
Alone, I made my way into the bathroom, impressed with how clean it was, then finally looking at myself in the mirror.
It was worse than the guys let on. And they were right, it was only going to get worse with time. Half of my face was bruised, swollen in parts as well. Lifting up my shirt, the bruises only looked worse.
On a sigh, I dropped my shirt, brushed my teeth, and made my way toward the bed.
The sounds of the clubhouse were foreign—male voices, the faraway hum of televisions, and the never-ending fan of the air conditioning that must have been set to Antarctic.
I buried under the comforter, loving how the pillow smelled like Rune.
But no matter how comfortable the bed was, how soft the bedding, how safe I knew I was, sleep was elusive.
I climbed out of bed and made my way to the door.
Just this once, I didn’t overthink it. I just followed the urge to see Rune again. Reaching the door at the end of the hall, I hesitated, listening for a moment. But I heard nothing inside.
Turning the doorknob, I tiptoed inside.
The room was massive and built almost like a school gymnasium—with white cinderblock walls with small rectangular windows way up high near the ceiling. A whole wall was lined with storage cabinets. Toward one side were doorways into bathrooms. And on the final wall were several sets of bunkbeds.
I inched forward, glad that someone left the light on in the bathroom so I didn’t approach the wrong bed.
It was easy to spot Spike and the guy I heard someone else call Cain, as well as a few much younger guys. But I didn’t want to approach the wrong twin if Croft was in the room too.