Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Then the door opened and Slade stepped inside. His face was so dark, so intense that her heart started racing with fear.
“You cannot go in there! I’m calling the police!” Monica said as she followed him into the room.
The rest of them walked in, taking up positions around the room. Rock stood next to the door. Spencer rushed toward the bed, stopping about a foot away from the end and just staring down at her with horror.
Great.
What every girl wanted to see on her crush’s face.
Former crush.
You don’t want him anymore.
Sure. Her brain knew that. But her body . . . that was a different story. It still lit up around them.
“Princess,” Spencer said in a raspy voice. It sounded like he’d been yelling and damaged his vocal cords.
She forced herself to stay relaxed, staring up at him coldly.
“There’s no need to call the police,” Quaid said as he stepped into the room. His gaze moved around, cataloging everything.
Whatever he saw he didn’t seem to like.
But she was used to Quaid’s disapproval. He was guarded and it was difficult for him to trust.
She’d earned his trust over time . . . until he thought she had betrayed him.
Then she didn’t just gain his disapproval.
She gained his utter and total disgust.
They shouldn’t be here. She wasn’t strong enough for this.
“And why wouldn’t I call the cops?” Monica asked, glaring at them all. “Because you rich toffs say so? Well, it’s not happening. I don’t care if you’re the prince of Timbuktu, you don’t get to be in here unless she wants you to be here.”
Whoa. Monica had some balls.
Quaid was the only one that looked at Monica, and she thought she saw a quick flash of respect on his face.
Slade and Spencer didn’t glance away from where they were staring at Indie. While Rock was standing in front of the closed door, staring at the wall.
Which was . . . weird.
What was he doing?
“I don’t believe that Timbuktu has a monarchy,” Spencer murmured. “It’s an ancient city in Mali.”
She bit her lip as Monica gaped at him.
“There’s no need to call the police because we are her family,” Quaid told Monica.
“That so? Then where have you been? She’s been here for four days and you visit now? Not buying it, buster.”
Buster?
That was a funny one.
Indie stared at Slade. Why was he looking at her so intensely? It was as though he was cataloging every injury. Memorizing them.
“That’s something we will need to rectify,” Quaid allowed. “Indie, tell the nurse that she can leave and that you are safe with us.”
This was the moment.
She could have them removed. Arrested. She could get some revenge for the way that they’d kicked her so callously out of their lives.
“Indie, please,” Spencer begged.
She raised an eyebrow at him and he actually looked ashamed.
“I know, Princess,” Spencer murmured. “I get it. We were proper assholes to you. We don’t deserve to have you give us a second chance. But, please, I just need to know you’re all right.”
Monica huffed. “I don’t know what you lot did, but I think it’s obvious how she is.”
Indie really appreciated the older woman trying to help her, but she also didn’t want her to say too much.
“We’re not leaving until we talk to you, Indie,” Quaid said.
She glared at him.
“Please, Boo,” Slade said, using his old nickname for her.
“I’ll get down on my knees and beg,” Spencer said in that hoarse voice. “We all fucking will if that’s what you want, Princess.”
Christ.
Did she want that?
No.
She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t be as callous as they had been to her.
Spencer actually fell onto his knees. Indie let out a squeak of surprise and attempted to sit up. What was he doing?
She let out a groan of pain.
“Stay still,” Slade barked as he jumped forward to put his hand on her shoulder.
She shied back, whimpering.
“Be careful,” Monica snapped as Spencer stood.
“Spencer? Are you all right?” she asked.
“Yeah, Princess. I just need you to talk to us because right now I’m so fucking scared and horrified and relieved.”
Horrified? By what? Did she look that bad?
She reached a hand up to touch her face.
“You can leave,” Quaid said in a formal, cold voice. He always used that voice in unknown situations. She’d once thought he used it as a way to protect himself when he felt unsure.
Now, she just thought that he was a cold, soulless bastard.
Okay, maybe she was being a bit much. But he had been the harshest with her.
“Oh, can I?” Monica said sarcastically.
Then a buzzer sounded and Monica swore quietly.
“I believe you’re needed?” Quaid asked, his eyebrows raised.
Monica glanced over at her. “I can stay and call the cops. Just say the word. I’m not leaving you if you’re scared or need me.”
Wow. That was so nice and unexpected. The only people who had ever tried to protect her other than Maggie were these guys.