Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Turning around, I walk back to the SUV so I can get my ass home to my woman with the full intention of not telling her about Mandy’s death. I feel it will be better if Eden learns about it by herself, and if she never finds out, then that’s good with me too.
I climb back into my vehicle, and starting the engine, I drive home while thinking about how my life’s changed since I met Eden.
She’s in every beat of my heart and every breath I take.
Chapter 38
Eden
When Dario walks into the bedroom looking like hell, I shoot up and rush to his side.
“What the hell happened to you?” When I get a good look at him and notice blood on his shirt, I gasp, “Jesus, Dario! Did you get shot?”
“No.” He grips my chin with his fingers, and I smell gunpowder. Locking eyes with me, he says, “I’m fine. Two bullets grazed me. It’s nothing serious.”
“Let me look at you,” I mutter as I yank my chin free and start to unbutton his shirt.
He lets me tug the fabric off, and I let out a breath of relief when I see the grazed skin on his side.
“You’re so damn lucky there’s no bullet,” I snap as I shoot him a glare. “I swear to God, if you ever die on me, I’m bringing you back so I can kill you myself.”
“One grazed me on my back as well,” he says as if it’s something to be proud of.
“What?!” I dart behind him, and seeing the red welt across his back, I slap him against the shoulder. “Get your ass in the bathroom so I can clean the wounds.”
“Scrapes,” he corrects me.
I glare at him, and noticing the grin on his face, I shake my head. “What the hell are you smiling about?”
“You.” He takes hold of my hip and pulls me closer. “I love how you’re fussing over me.”
“I’m not fussing over you. I’m fighting with you.”
“Fussing…” He kisses my left cheek. “Fighting…” Another kiss on my right cheek. “Same thing.” When he leans in to kiss me on the mouth, I pull away and walk into the bathroom.
“Tesoro,” He chuckles as he follows after me, “I’m fine. Don’t be mad at me.”
“Have you heard of a bulletproof vest?” I ask as I dig the first aid kit out of the cabinet beneath the sink.
“We forgot.”
I shoot another glare his way as I open the kit and take out the antiseptic wipes. “Come here.”
He moves closer, and without any warning, I slap the antiseptic wipe against his side.
When he jerks away, I mutter, “It wouldn’t hurt right now if you’d been wearing a bulletproof vest. Stand still.”
This time around, I work much gentler as I clean the grazed skin on his side and back.
“I love you,” he whispers.
“Telling me you love me won’t get you out of trouble,” I mumble as I clean the abrasions.
“You going to spank me?” he asks with a teasing tone.
“It won’t be kinky.”
When I’m done, I dispose of the wipes and wash my hands before turning to face him again.
Framing his jaw with my palms, I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his mouth. “Promise me you’ll be more careful and always wear a bulletproof vest.”
“I promise.”
When I pull away, he opens the faucets in the shower and starts to undress while mentioning, “You said you had exciting news?”
“Oh, right!” I hop onto the counter next to the sink and take a seat. “I got an assistant manager position at the restaurant. Skylar was so nice. I can’t wait to work there.”
He gives me a quick kiss, then says, “Congratulations, Tesoro.”
“Aaaand…” Excitement bubbles in my chest.
He steps beneath the spray and lets the water rush over his body, then asks, “There’s more news?”
“Yes. I’ve decided to open a soup kitchen.” I clap my hands together.
Dario turns to face me, lifting an eyebrow while washing his body. “A soup kitchen?”
“Tyrone, who, by the way, I’m calling Dad now, said he’d help me. We stopped by a church, and the pastor was super positive and said he could organize volunteers to help.”
I suck in a breath of air, but before I can continue, he says, “Damn, you were busy while I was at work.”
I swing my legs back and forth, a happy smile on my face. “I want to put some of the money you gave me to good use. Give back to my community.”
“Let me know if you need more funds to get the business up and running. I’m sure all the guys would love to donate to a good cause.”
“You think so?”
He nods as he closes the faucets and grabs a towel to dry himself.
“I have a list of things to do. I need to find cooks, and a supplier for food, and I’ll probably have to buy a ton of plates and utensils.”