Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
My eyebrows fly up, and I shake my head. There’s no way I’m climbing into the shower with him.
Groaning, he begins to move so he can lie down, and I lean over him to help. I adjust the pillows behind him, and as I step back, my eyes flit over his body.
Crap, he’s very attractive.
The tattoos are something to get used to, but all his muscles and golden-tanned skin have my stomach feeling like a whole swarm of bees has taken up residence inside it.
Noticing his shoes, I move to the end of the bed and take them off for him. When I’m done, I stand back and unable to ignore the blood on his side, I go to the bathroom.
I switch on the warm water faucet and grab a washcloth. Holding it beneath the spray, I wet it before squeezing the excess drops out.
I walk back to Enzo, and sitting down beside him, I have to lean over his waist to reach his side. I carefully clean off all the blood, avoiding the stitches.
Once I’m done, I figure he can’t sleep with the stitches exposed like that, and I jog out of the room and go back downstairs to find a bandage.
I get one out of the first aid kit, then pause to catch my breath. Looking up toward the landing and the banister where I can see all the bedrooms, I shake my head.
Tonight has been insane.
I still can’t believe Enzo is here and that he’s behind the job and Cassia reaching out to me.
And everything he told me…
I shake my head again.
Boy, I’m a terrible judge of character. I’ve been fantasizing my butt off over a criminal.
Even though I saw Enzo kill two of the robbers with my own eyes, it’s still hard to believe he’s a killer.
I accepted it after the incident at the gas station because they were armed and could’ve shot me at any time. But Enzo said he’s an assassin, and those kinds of people kill for a living.
I’ve never felt so torn before. I’m scared out of my mind but still attracted to him.
Maybe I’m insane, too?
Exhaling a heavy sigh, I head back upstairs, and entering the room, I avoid making eye contact with Enzo.
I work carefully as I place the bandage over his wound so I don’t accidentally put any of the sticky parts on the stitches.
When I pull back and straighten up, I wonder how he got injured.
I don’t have my notepad to ask the question and instead point at the bandage, giving Enzo a questioning look.
“Are you asking whether it feels better?”
I shake my head, but then end up nodding fast.
“It does.” His eyes soften as he speaks to me. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
I point again, then hold my hands palms up to indicate I want to know what happened.
“I was shot.”
Shock shudders through me, and my lips part as I gasp.
“Do you know the MC gang, the St. Louis Demons?” he asks.
It feels as if icy water is poured over my head. I wrap my arms around my middle and hunch my shoulders while I look down at my feet.
“You’re scared of them.” Enzo’s tone is much harsher, and it has me taking a step backward. “I had an altercation with the bikers on my way here,” he admits.
Learning he was in a fight with them has me peeking at him.
I hate the MC, and hearing their bikes’ engines rumbling is enough to give me a panic attack.
“It’s one of the reasons I don’t want you to leave the house. I’m currently dealing with the MC, and if they find out about you, they’ll use you to get to me.”
Pins and needles erupt over my skin, and my tongue goes numb.
Four members of the MC already hurt me in ways I’ll never recover from, but hearing they might hurt me again is more than I can handle.
All the times Derek, Wayne, and Kirk came into the store to taunt me flash through my mind, causing my body to start trembling.
I have no idea what happened to JJ. I haven’t seen him around town since a month or so after he raped me, for which I’m grateful. He was the worst of them.
My breathing speeds up, and when Enzo gets off the bed and comes to place his arms around me, I lean into him as I try to stop the panic attack from spiraling out of control.
I should push him away, but I don’t because I need the comfort.
“I keep triggering you. I’m sorry.” Enzo places his hand behind my head, and it makes me feel safe even though I’m scared of him.
It’s weird.
Slowly, my breathing returns to normal, and the panic retreats until only the nervousness remains.
Even though I’m terrified of the things Enzo told me, I’m happy he’s here, and I get to see him again.