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)
“You don’t want to know.” Jaeger clamps a hand on the back of his neck and sends him careening toward the door. “You’re no longer welcome here.”
Mr. Wilson is stupider than I thought because he hits the door jamb and stands his ground. “It’s my building. I have rights! She owes me rent.”
Faster than I can follow, Jaeger shoots forward. The next thing I know, Mr. Wilson is falling into the hall, his mouth full of bills.
“There.” Jaeger kicks at a fallen wad of cash. “That should cover it. And spread the word: Elodie and her family are under my protection.”
Mr. Wilson sputters, spraying cash, and Jaeger shuts the door in his face.
I still have my hands over my mouth, panting like I’ve run up ten flights of stairs. I know Jaeger is violent, but watching it unfold before my eyes is another story.
And now I’m alone with him. What is happening? Why is he here?
Why am I under his protection?
Slowly, Jaeger swivels to face me. His face is blank and scary. I know he won’t hurt me, but he’s intimidating as hell right now. He moves closer, blocking the weak light streaming through the window, and his shadow swallows me whole.
“Now, bunny,” he says in a soft voice that sends chills up and down my arms. “You’re going to explain to me what’s going on.”
5
Jaeger
She stares up at me, her freckled face so young in the morning light. It’s all I can do not to drop to the couch and pull her in my arms to assure her that everything will be okay. But I’m still filled with rage after dealing with the sleazy landlord. I don’t dare touch her in case the beast breaks free. I’ve spent my life on edge, ready to fight, and she’s a tiny, fragile creature. I won’t risk hurting her.
“I can explain.” She hesitates. “Did Margot get a cab?” Even helpless and in pain, she’s so focused on helping others.
This is why my bunny needs me. I knew I shouldn’t leave her alone. The world is cold and cruel and gobbles up tiny bunnies for breakfast.
She needs a Big, Bad Wolf at her side. I got here in the nick of time.
“I did one better,” I tell her. “I called her a private escort. They’ll get her out of the city and put her in a hotel for the night.” By then, my network of contacts will have forged new identities for Margot and her young children. Elodie’s sister will get new papers, a burner phone, and an escort all the way to her final destination.
Whatever Elodie’s situation is, she doesn’t have the experience to handle it. I’ve spent my life dealing with sticky situations. Mostly, I murder people to solve them, so this is a nice, relaxing change of pace.
And helping children has always been a priority. If I had my way, no one who touches a hair on a child’s head would live.
No one touches my bunny, either.
“Your sister will be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”
She blinks at me, her forehead furrowed as if she doesn’t believe me. “Why?” she finally says.
“Because you’re now under my protection.”
“But…why?”
I stare down at her. I don’t answer because I don’t know how to put my urges into words. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in trouble?”
She snorts. “Why would I? I don’t usually explain my life story to my one-night stands.”
I grit my teeth against the sting of jealousy. My voice deepens to a growl. “Do you have many of them? One-night stands?”
She shakes her head. “It’s none of your business. But no.”
I relax. It doesn’t matter who she’s been with, I remind myself. It only matters that from here on out, she’s with me.
“But they don’t usually stick around,” she says. Her tone is accusing, as if she’s challenging me to leave.
Too bad. I’m not going anywhere. Not without her.
I caught my perfect prey, and I want to keep her.
I cup her face in my tattooed palm. Her eyelashes flutter. Poor bunny. She’s hurt and needs rest to heal.
“I’m taking you away from here.”
She jerks out of my hand and glares at me. “If you’re here for more of what you got last night, you’re going to be disappointed.” She waves a hand at her ankle. “Like you said, I can’t run away.”
Sweet rabbit. Doesn’t she know I’m enjoying this new game? Caring for her is just as fun as the chase. I never thought I’d enjoy keeping what I’ve caught, but with her, I do. It satisfies the beast.
“Tell me why you wanted Margot and the kids to leave.”
She sighs. “Her ex borrowed from a loan shark and couldn’t pay, so he split. The loan shark’s been sending his thugs to threaten us. We’ve been holding him off by giving him our rent money.” She picks at the fraying couch cushion. “Why do you think I took a sex work gig that involved me running naked through the woods? For my health?”