Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
When Cassia’s fingers stir in my hold, I realize I’m still holding her hand and quickly let go. I start to take a step backward, but something keeps me from moving away from the bed.
I glance around the room and suck in a deep breath before my eyes settle on Cassia’s drowsy ones.
Her forehead furrows, and her tongue darts out to wet her lips. “Eleni,” she whispers, her eyelids growing heavier.
I clear my throat, and my voice is rough as I say, “I’ll watch over both of you. Sleep.”
She pries her eyes open again, and they move over my face before she loses the battle and drifts off to sleep.
I might have been too late to keep the sisters from getting hurt, but as long as they’re breathing, I’ll guard them.
I’ll do for them what no one did for Ronnie.
I turn my head and stare at Eleni’s window, but the blinds are drawn in her room.
Leaving Cassia’s side for a minute, I walk to the other room and open the blinds. When I’m back at Cassia’s bedside, I position the armchair so I can see both women while sitting in it.
For the past two years, all I’ve done is kill, but I now have the chance to save lives.
Maybe I’ll be able to do penance for failing Ronnie.
Chapter 7
CASSIA
Prying my eyes open, I feel completely disorientated.
It’s silent around me, but somewhere outside, I hear birds chirping.
My vision focuses on a window that looks outside, and beyond the glass is a view of lush greenery and trees.
A frown starts to form on my forehead as my eyes flick to the machines next to the bed. I become aware of sweat making the fabric of whatever I’m wearing stick to my skin.
God, why is it so hot in here?
I glance down and notice the wooly blanket covering me. Lifting my hand, my entire body aches and a soft groan escapes me as I take hold of the blanket. Slowly pulling it off, it drops to the floor, taking the white sheet along with it.
I’m hit with cool air as my arm drops over my stomach, the needle of the IV tugging at the skin of the back of my hand. I notice someone dressed me in a white shirt and pants. It looks like loungewear.
Eleni!
My eyes flick to my right only to stop on the armchair where Knight is sitting, his gaze locked on me with laser focus. There are harsh lines around his eyes and mouth, the dangerous expression on his face making a chill creep over my body.
The first time I saw him, I thought he was good-looking, in a badass kind of way, but now, as I stare at the man who’s saved my life twice, all I see is danger lurking in his dark green eyes. He looks at me with a murderous expression that makes me think he’s planning to kill me.
He must be over six foot, and every inch of him is rock solid.
My tongue darts out to wet my lips before I ask, “My sister?”
He tips his head toward the window that looks out into the hallway, but all I can see from where I’m lying is a wall and part of the ceiling.
Frustration slithers into my chest, and needing to check on Eleni, I start to struggle into a sitting position.
Knight tilts his head, his eyes narrowing on me, making another chill ripple over my clammy skin.
When I push my legs over the side of the bed, there’s a throbbing in my thigh that radiates up my hips and into my lower back.
Knight shakes his head but says nothing as I gingerly climb onto my feet. With one hand braced on the bed, I take hold of the IV stand and use it as a crutch as I slowly make my way to the door.
My head starts to spin, and before I can make it to the hallway, a nurse appears.
Her eyes widen as they lock on my face. “You’re too pale! You should get back into bed until you’re a little stronger.”
“Leave her,” Knight’s voice rumbles from right behind me.
The nurse’s eyes flit between Knight and me, then she mutters, “Just don’t overdo it.”
I nod and continue to shuffle out of the room. When I’m able to peer through the other window, I see Eleni lying on a bed where she’s hooked up to all kinds of medical equipment.
“Jesus,” I whisper, my eyes tearing up at the sight of my unconscious sister.
My head spins again, but I push through until I make it into Eleni’s room.
Standing beside her bed, I hear movement, and the next second, something presses against the back of my legs and Knight orders in a gruff tone, “Sit.”
I lower myself onto the armchair while glancing up at him. “Thank you.”