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)
Grumpy bunny. I love it when she snaps at me.
“How much do you owe?”
“It was thirteen thousand. Now, apparently, it’s doubled.” She rubs her forehead. “I guess that’s how loan shark interest works.”
“What is this person’s name?”
“Umberto the Executioner.”
I’ve heard of him. He operates outside the city, across the river, so as not to infringe on Fraternitas’ territory and incur our wrath.
“So far, they’ve been fine with the rent money,” she says. “But I guess last night, one of them threatened to take the kids.”
“He will not touch a hair on their heads.” Or yours, I add silently.
She looks so defeated, slumped on the couch with her foot propped up.
I squat down so we’re at eye level and cup the back of her neck. I squeeze lightly, giving her a slow, gentle massage. “I’ll fix it.”
Her gaze darts to me and away. But she leans into my touch. She knows she needs my help, even though she’s fighting her desire for me.
I can work with that. “You’re not staying here.”
“What?”
I gather her things into her purse and lift her in my arms. “You’re coming with me.”
“Jaeger, no.” She pushes at my shoulder, but it might as well be a swipe of a kitten’s paw.
I smile at her. I like it when she tries to fight me. It’s adorable.
I hoist her closer, and she meets my gaze. She flushes and looks away.
Interesting.
I don’t have time to study her responses to me—the red creeping up her freckled cheeks, the catch in her breath, the way she leans into me even though she’s protesting. I carry her out of the apartment and make it down one flight of stairs, only to be met by two bald goons on the stairwell. They’re clearly heading to Elodie’s apartment. One of them has a bat propped on his shoulder and is whistling as he climbs.
Elodie grabs my shirt, gripping it tightly.
“It’s okay, bunny.” I’m going to have to put her down to deal with these men. Leaving her unguarded is not my preference, so I’ll have to make the fight quick.
She’s not listening. “It’s them.” Her face blanches. “That’s the guy Umberto sent. I don’t have the money to pay them yet.”
She’s not giving them a dime. “You won’t need it,” I tell her. “You have me.”
She stares at me, unseeing. I have no choice but to set her on a dirty step. “Stay here. I’m going to deal with this.”
No one threatens my bunny and lives.
Elodie
Jaeger leaves me leaning against the railing and turns to face the thugs. The first one is Baldie, the ass who’s been shaking us down. The second is a carbon copy of him and holding a bat. He doesn’t look like a guy who likes to play baseball, which means the bat is used to hit other things.
Baldie stops on the landing below as Jaeger blocks his passage up the stairs. “We don’t want no trouble. We got business with her.” He points to me.
“Wrong,” Jaeger says. “If your business is with her, it’s with me.”
Baldie and his buddy share a glance. “So be it.” The second guy swings the bat back, ready to strike.
Before Baldie can move, Jaeger leaps and lands on him. At least, I think that’s what happened. It’s hard to follow his movements. A big guy shouldn’t be able to move so fast.
Baldie goes down with Jaeger on top of him. There’s shouting and a crack, and Jaeger’s rising from a limp body. Baldie’s head lies at an impossible angle, his eyes staring at nothing.
The second thug is already scrambling up the stairs, headed toward me. The weaker prey. I scoot back on the dirty tile as fast as I can, biting back a cry of pain. It hurts so bad that I can’t get away.
Turns out I don’t have to. Halfway up the stairs, the second thug falls on his face. Jaeger drags him back and kicks him over. “You fucked with the wrong woman.” suddenly, Jaeger has the bat. I cover my eyes.
“No, no, please—” There’s a thwack, then nothing but screams. I wish I could cover my ears.
But I peek through my fingers to watch the blood spatter. The savage part of me is hungry for the sight and scent of the blood of my enemies.
Jaeger tips what’s left of the man over the railing of the stairs. The bloodthirsty part of me crows with delight, pleased at how he’s solved my problems with brutal efficiency.
Jaeger whips around, looking for me. Flecks of red cover his perfect face and his shining hair. When he sees that I’m okay, a cruel smile curves his lips.
He stalks my way, taking the stairs three at a time. I don’t know whether to cringe away or cheer. I settle for holding still as he scoops me up and cradles me against his chest. He carries me the rest of the way down the stairs, carefully stepping over Baldie’s body.