Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
He’s a wild card in this mess. I don’t like it. I want to know why he came back, but again, I have a whole list of problems, and his appearance doesn’t even crack the top ten.
“Don’t use your cards, either. Pay cash for everything so you don’t leave a trail. I’ll send you more cash as soon as I can,” I promise.
Margot nods and leans down to give me a hug. It’s surprising because she’s not usually the hugging type. It makes more sense when she whispers in my ear, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I’m sure she’s wondering why a huge, tattooed Fraternitas thug is bringing me donuts.
“Positive.” I plaster a big ole fake smile on my face and push her away. “Think of this as a vacation.”
She stands, still looking unconvinced.
“Go,” I urge with everything in me.
Her mouth snaps shut, and she steers the kids away. “Come on, everybody. We’re going on an adventure.” Her voice is cheery and bright in a way that tells me she’s a second away from snapping.
I scoot to the edge of the couch, wanting to go walk her to the stairs, but Jaeger places a hand on my shoulder again. “Stay.”
Heat flushes my face. It’s anger, I tell myself. Not a reaction to his touch. “I’m not a dog,” I snap.
He quirks a blond brow and touches his thumb to my lips. Just like that, my body melts into a puddle. My body quivers. My breasts swell. I’m ready for him to take me right here, right now.
Worse, he knows it.
“Stay,” he repeats and heads out behind my sister. He leaves the door open.
I guess he’s planning on coming back. I fall back on the couch and rub my face. Things are happening too quickly, but at least I won’t worry about the kids. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to them.
They’ll all be safe. They have to be. Now, I just have to figure out how to survive.
On top of that, I have to find out what Jaeger is doing here. Why can’t life be simple?
Men always leave. Except, apparently, Jaeger.
He came back.
The steps outside the door creak. “Did everything go okay?” I ask without opening my eyes.
“It most certainly did not,” a peevish voice answers.
My eyes fly open. Mr. Wilson, our creepy landlord, stands over me. His BO hits me as he leans down, scowling. “Is your sister going on a trip? You both owe me back rent.”
Great. Here’s another one of my problems, now moved to the top of the list. “I’ll get it to you,” I lie. I’m a sitting duck in this apartment. As soon as I can, I’m going to run. Get to an ATM and get out as much cash as I can. I’ll find a by-the-week hotel room, pay with cash, and lie low.
I’ve spent my life running from my problems, so why stop now?
“You said that last week.” He steps closer, and his stench wafts over with me, making me gag. “There’ve been a lotta men lurking around here. Asking ’bout you both. They don’t seem very nice. I try to protect my renters—” He’s lying. He’d sell out his grandmother to save his own skin. “But they look dangerous. I’ll have to tell them everything I know unless you make it worth my while.”
I’m too tense to breathe. As threats go, this is a good one. He could spill everything to the loan shark’s thugs, and they could intercept Margot and the kids before she has time to get out of the city.
Godsdamn this man. He’s a loser who preys on people weaker than him. When there’s blood in the water, even the bottom feeders swarm to get their pound of flesh.
“I don’t have any cash on me.” I raise my empty hands.
He shrugs. “We could figure something out.” He’s close enough that I can see the old stains on his faded black pants. “Your sister is the pretty one,” he says with a leer. “But you work at that mob club, right? I bet you suck dick real good.” His hands go to his zipper, and I cringe back, averting my head to avoid smelling his stench and seeing the contents of his pants.
A shadow falls over us both. “Get away from her,” Jaeger rumbles softly. Mr. Wilson doesn’t have time to look up from his half-opened pants before Jaeger grabs his shirt and sends him flying across the room.
I clap my hands over my mouth. I didn’t even hear Jaeger come up the stairs. He’s stealthier than a man of his size has any right to be. I’ll have to remember that.
Mr. Wilson staggers to his feet. His pants are now at his ankles, and I try not to look too closely. At least he’s wearing boxers.
“Who are you?” He gapes at Jaeger.