Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I shook my head slowly. “I was careful with the dosage.”
His eyes darkened. “And what about you? If I’d been knocked out as long as Sean, you’d still be lying unconscious out in a field. You would have died from exposure.” He exhaled heavily. “Not that you would’ve ever made it across that field, even if you hadn’t fallen. What the hell were you thinking?”
I shrugged, unsure how to tell him it didn’t matter. “There’s no one left on this earth who cares about me, so my life means nothing,” I whispered, matter-of-fact.
“Don’t,” he hissed. “Don’t act like your life isn’t valuable. Do you really think I could live with myself if that happened?”
Suddenly, he shifted, and I found myself pinned under him, his hands gripping my shoulders tightly. “Why did you run, Skylar? You’re safe here with me. Don’t you know that yet? Don’t you get it?”
Tears filled my eyes, running down the side of my face into my hair as I shook my head. “No-no, I don’t! I don’t know anything—you don’t tell me anything. You say I’m safe, yet you threaten me. You act like I know how you’re feeling or what you’re planning, but I don’t! You overwhelm me, Cian. I’m confused and lost and so scared. I’m scared of you…and I’m scared of how I feel about you…”
His face changed, softening, and his grip loosened. “Don’t be scared.”
“I don’t know how to be anything but scared anymore,” I sobbed.
He rolled, pulling me against his chest, running long, soothing strokes on my back. “I’m sorry,” he repeated over and over. “I’m so sorry.”
I cried until I had no tears left. Cian handed me a handful of tissues, smiling indulgently as I wiped my face and blew my nose.
“I do care,” he admitted quietly. “You mean more than you know.”
I stared at him in silence.
He shook his head in frustration. “Sean was right. I should have told you the whole story.”
“Will you?”
He drew in a deep breath. “Will you tell me yours?”
“Yes.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll go check on Sean. I think he took the brunt of your drugging. Then we’ll talk.”
I nodded, shamefaced. “He might be out a while.”
“He is gonna be so pissed at you—not that I blame him.”
“I know.” I hesitated. “Why aren’t you?”
“Because it’s my fault. If I’d listened to Sean, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I’m sorry,” I offered, repentant. “I panicked.”
“Do you have any more?”
I knew what he was asking. I nodded truthfully. “Yes.”
“Why do you have sleeping pills?”
“They were my dad’s. I kept them in case.”
His brow furrowed. “In case?”
“In case I couldn’t take life anymore,” I answered honestly.
His fast inhale of air was sharp. He grabbed my face, holding it between his rough hands. “It all goes—today. You can’t even think like that, Kitten.” His voice broke. “I can’t even—” He yanked me into his arms, holding me tight. “Your life is going to change now, I promise. I’ll look after you.” He pulled my head back, forcing me to meet his distressed gaze. “Please tell me you believe that.”
The honesty blazing from his eyes left me no doubt he was telling the truth. “Yes,” I whispered with a small smile. “Yes, I believe you, Cian.”
His mouth on mine was hard and desperate and far too brief. He pulled away and stood, grabbing a shirt.
“I’ll check on Sean. I want those pills. All of them.” He paused at the door. “Stay there. We’ll do this when I get back.”
I nodded and he left.
I stared after him, my fingers pressed against my mouth, still feeling the possession of his touch.
Knowing, somehow, when he came back, things were going to change.
My whole world was going to change.
Part of me wondered if I was ready for it.
Chapter 10
Cian
Sean was out cold, but he was fine—his breathing deep and even. I stopped in the kitchen, grabbing some water and chugging the entire bottle. My mouth felt like it had been dragged across the Sahara for days. I took a couple more bottles, leaving one on Sean’s nightstand. He’d need it when he woke up. I also knew once he was fully awake, Skylar was going to witness his anger.
If she thought I was scary when upset, wait until she got a load of him.
Back in my room, I found Skylar right where I left her. Sitting on the edge of the bed beside her, I opened the water and handed it to her, studying her as she sipped at it. Her eyes were downcast, her skin shockingly pale. The cut on her forehead was a vivid red gash against the white of her face. Her bruises, which I’d thought were fading, once again seemed so dark against the pallor, and she looked completely exhausted.
Sitting up all night, planning on drugging people and running, did that to a person, I supposed. I ignored the little voice that whispered, “Being scared and upset for days on end didn’t help either.” That voice could fuck off right now. I was suddenly furious with her.