Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
I didn’t have time to take it all in because the doctor continued forward up the stairs onto the next level, which was another greeting area that branched off to several different spaces, a grand dining room to the left and a sitting area that looked like it was used frequently, despite the fact that it was lavishly decorated.
A man in a black tuxedo appeared, in his early fifties, his dark hair combed back. “His Highness just informed me of the situation.”
His Highness?
The man in the tuxedo approached me and gave a slight bow. “I’m Elio, butler to Constantine and the caretaker of this home. Let me guide you upstairs so you can rest. This way.” He took the lead up a large staircase, and when I said large, I meant five people could walk side by side all the way up. He guided me to the third level of the villa, and every floor had incredibly high ceilings. Statues erected in hallways, artwork on the walls, vases of real flowers.
I felt like I was in the residence of royalty.
Elio escorted me to a private bedroom, one that had a king-size bed, a private living room, and its own bathroom.
Every room in this house probably had its own bathroom.
The doctor guided me to an armchair and then opened his bag to get to work. “How are you feeling?”
“Better . . . but still pretty fucking terrible.”
“The drugs they gave you are supposed to make you brain dead.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry, I was able to prevent that from happening. But you’re going to feel unwell for at least several days.” He took my heart rate and other vitals. “I’m going to give you something to put you to sleep. You’re going to need to rest so your body can fight the effects quicker.”
I wanted to talk to Constantine, but I didn’t know when he’d be back. “Okay.”
He grabbed another vial and a needle and gave me a shot. “I can help you get into bed.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ve got it.” I kicked off my shoes, then moved to the bed, fully prepared to take off my dress and sleep in just my underwear. I already felt the medication start to kick in. He helped me pull the covers back and tucked me inside. “Here’s your phone.” I’d lost track of it, but Con or Rocco must have taken it back from the would-be kidnappers. The doctor set it on the nightstand. “Feel better soon.”
I was asleep before he left the room.
As I woke up, I was aware of the daylight piercing the closed curtains and my eyelids. It took me a moment to stir, to realize I felt well, that the sickly feeling of poison had dissolved from my bloodstream.
I was on my side, and when I cracked my eyes open, I came face-to-face with dark eyes. But not the dark eyes of Constantine. There was fur and a long snout . . . and the smell of dog. I blinked several times, watching the German shepherd study me like I was a little mouse they were about to pounce on.
Then I remembered who she was—Medusa.
“Hey, babe . . .” My voice was raspy and cracked, and my arm felt weak as I lifted it and petted the side of her cheek. “Nice to meet you.”
She dipped her head and licked my cheek.
I chuckled as I felt the streak of saliva from the swipe of her tongue.
“Settle down, baby girl.” Constantine’s voice was quiet and commanding but with a hint of affection, and it came from somewhere behind me.
Medusa hopped off the bed, and I saw her tail over the edge of the duvet as she walked around and out of sight.
When I realized he was there with me, my entire body went still. I’d been so calm just seconds ago, but now, I was rigid and on high alert. I lay there for a second before I forced myself up, forced myself against the padded headboard.
He sat in an armchair a short distance away, in the same clothes as the last time I saw him, minus the tactical vest. He was wearing a black T-shirt and dark jeans, his knees wide apart, and his arms were sprawled across the armrests—like a king on his throne. “You all right?”
“Yeah. I feel a lot better than I did yesterday.” I was in nothing but my bra and underwear, but he’d seen me in less, so I didn’t care what was on display.
He stared me down through a veil of coldness. “Still wish I were normal?” It was a cutting jab, and I could tell he’d been sitting on that for as long as he’d sat there, maybe for hours. His eyes weren’t full of relief that I’d come out of this mostly unscathed.
Just emotionally disturbed.