Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Colt never left her side, which she did love. The first morning, she’d woken up a little groggy, but she’d been warm and there had been a weight surrounding her, and that was Colt. He’d been sleeping next to her. She didn’t want to wake him, even though she had cried the moment the events had come to her.
Al had lost his temper with her and ordered her to take out the trash. It had been heavy as well. The trash bin had been closed and she had no choice but to put the bag down, and then as she went to open the bin, the pain had started. Rosalie had tried to fight back. She’d kicked back, scratched, done everything in her power to be strong, and then once she was down, he’d finally stopped. It was one guy who had attacked her. She hadn’t recognized him, but then the world had spun around her and she’d curled up when everything went dark. The next thing she knew, she heard Petal and Colt, and that had been too much. Until finally, all she had felt was numb, then Colt’s arms.
“You’re trying to tempt me, aren’t you?”
“Is it working?”
“No.”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on. I hate it here. It fucking sucks.” She pushed the tray of food out of the way and climbed out of bed. Petal had brought her some clothes. Colt continued to refuse to bring her anything and it had been driving her crazy for the longest time. “I’m fine. We’re keeping this bed from someone who could use it.”
“The only person who can use it is you, babe, trust me.” He folded his arms and she shook her head.
“No, I’m not doing it. I was trying to be nice and play along, but you’re taking this way too far.”
“Oh, no,” Petal said, entering the room. “Is this where you put your foot down?”
Rosalie glared at her friend, who had also shut the door. Petal folded her arms and waited.
“Go on, Rose. Don’t mind me. Put your foot down.”
“Petal!”
“Go on.”
Now, all her anger was gone. She merely stomped her foot and then winced as the pain vibrated through her body.
“There you go, Colt, you have finally seen Rose put her foot down.”
“Mesmerizing.”
“Stop it. Both of you,” Rosalie said. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am on your side. I’m here providing emotional support.” She clapped her hands. “Go, Rosalie, go.”
“This is not helping,” Rosalie said.
“I’m going to talk to the doctor,” Colt said. He turned toward Petal. “Keep her here.”
“With pleasure.” Petal walked over to the bed and stole a fry.
“That food is mine,” Rosalie said, padding back to the bed.
“And you’re not eating it. So, what gives?”
“I don’t want to be at this stupid hospital anymore. It sucks. I’m fine.”
“You’re bruised. You kind of remind me of a piñata, only with the stuffing still inside you.” Petal stole another fry.
“You’re not helping.”
“Rosalie, you were beaten up, like a few yards away from me.”
She groaned. “I know, okay, believe me, I know.”
“Do you think you’d recognize the guy?” Petal asked.
“I might, I don’t know. I’m not sure. He came from behind. It’s a little foggy.”
Petal looked toward the door and then leaned in close. “Did you know Al’s gone missing?”
“Huh?”
Petal’s brows went up. “Yeah, like gone completely missing, never to be seen or heard from again.”
“How is that possible?”
“The diner has been closed.”
Rosalie frowned and looked toward the door. “Why are we whispering?”
“Because, you never know who’s listening and I think your … new family has something to do with it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Come on, Rosalie, think about it. Think back to that day. That bag was heavy and I was going to help you take out the trash. Al specifically ordered you to go out, remember? I was suddenly so busy with everyone in the diner that I didn’t realize how much time had passed until Colt came in. You were beaten, Colt was pissed, and now Al is missing. Al had something to do with your beating, and now Al is gone. Don’t get me wrong, I’d already figured out that Al had something to do with it, but I don’t know who would tell him to do that.”
“My dad,” Rosalie said.
“Your father ordered you to be beaten?”
“It’s the only explanation. I’ve never seen Al afraid, apart from when he’s dealing with stuff between the two clubs.”
“That is messed up. Don’t worry, though, it just makes me love your husband a little bit. Al was an asshole, and trust me, I was going to gut him for what he’d done.” Petal helped her finish her food.
Colt returned, not looking too plussed. “The doctor said you can go, that he was ready for you to leave yesterday.”
“See, and trust me, he only said yesterday to be polite to you. I could have left within a few hours of being admitted.”