Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Shuddering from Enzo’s out-of-control violence, Alessia crossed her fingers. Please let Titus come to save her. Please. Forcing her thoughts from the magnetic man, Alessia spread lather over the rest of her skin. Her fingers lingered between her thighs, rinsing the remains of her arousal and pleasure. She shivered as her body responded to her touch but forced herself to stop. She needed to be ready for Titus.
She stepped out of the shower after toweling herself dry and dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and the Nightfall hoodie Titus had given her. Lifting the material to her nose, she inhaled, searching for his scent on the material. Rolling her eyes at her silliness, Alessia donned socks and sneakers.
After setting a small duffel on her bed, Alessia packed some essentials: a hairbrush, panties, bras, socks, a couple of shirts, her most necessary cosmetics, her toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Oh, no! She’d almost forgotten Carina’s shoes. Quickly, she grabbed those.
Alessia reviewed the belongings she’d added to the duffel. What else should she take? She scanned the room. Her jewelry case captured her attention. Without second-guessing herself, she opened the wooden box and searched for the one piece she needed. She tucked the necklace her father had given her for her twenty-first birthday into a velvet bag and added the small sack to her duffel. That gift was the only thing she owned of value. For her, the monetary worth meant less than the sentimental place the piece of jewelry held in her heart. On top of everything, she set her stuffie, Hopper, inside and carefully tugged the zipper up.
How would Titus locate her? Panic zipped through her. She brainstormed ways she could signal him and dismissed them all. Cluing in the guards on patrol outside that she was expecting a guest would be a bad idea. He’d talked to her in her brain. Could she send him information?
Alessia squeezed her eyes closed and concentrated as hard as she could, picturing Titus in her mind—devastatingly handsome, tall with dark hair that curled on the top of his head and tempted her to thread her fingers through the silky strands. His green eyes had focused so intently on her. And his hard body… She’d never wanted to rip off someone’s clothes instantly. Alessia pulled her thoughts back from lusting after him. She inhaled deeply, remembering his yummy scent, and ran her tongue over her lips, searching for a hint of his taste.
You’re killing me, Little mate. Titus’s growling voice filled her mind.
Titus! I was scared you wouldn’t be able to find me. Instantly, her worry eased but didn’t disappear. She’d be on edge until they’d escaped Enzo’s clutches. Would she ever be safe from Enzo? Even with Titus?
Alessia? Are you okay?
She could hear the concern in his tone. Quickly, she thought, Sorry. I wanted to make sure you knew where my room is. I’m on the second floor. My French doors are the first set from the right-hand side as you’re looking at the building.
I’ll always be able to locate you, Alessia. Your scent is in my nose.
So, you’re a bloodhound? she teased, surprised she could joke with him.
Where you’re concerned, I’m a rabid beast.
Instead of that sounding like a threat, Alessia smiled at his determination. He would find her. Thank you, Titus.
I’ll be there soon to whisk you away. Do you have everything you need packed?
I’m ready, Titus.
Alessia turned off the light to give everyone outside the impression that she’d gone to sleep. Moving in the darkness, she unlatched the window and returned to sit on the bed, next to her duffel. She slid her hand inside to stroke Hoppy’s soft fur.
“I hope I’m doing the right thing, Hoppy. I just met Titus. This could be the most epic stupid move in the history of gullible women.”
You’re not gullible, Little mate. You’ll always be safe with me. Ready to leave?
She jumped as she spotted his shadowy figure in her room. Astounded that she hadn’t seen him arrive, Alessia barely controlled her desire to throw herself in his arms. She remembered his question and nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her in the darkness. “Yes.”
Nodding is fine, Alessia. I have good vision. Now, no talking. No sound at all. I’ve taken out some guards and evaded others, so we’ll need to be quiet. Where’s your phone?
Alessia pulled her cell out of the purse she wore across her torso. She held the device out to him and gasped when he crushed the phone in one hand and scattered the pieces over the floor. She smacked a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from making any other noise.
Stand up, Little mate. I’m going to stage the scene.
Automatically, she followed his directions. Titus moved her behind him. Her body reacted to his touch automatically as if the feel of his skin on hers was a powerful aphrodisiac. When he released her, she missed that sensation. He set the duffel aside before ripping her covers partially off the bed. The white sheets stood out in the darkness. He made her room appear as if he’d dragged her out of bed. She shivered at the implied violence in the tangled bedclothes.