Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
$999
I clear my throat. "Do you, um, accept credit cards?"
"No."
"Venmo?"
"Cash only."
Oh God.
"I'm sorry, but I only have $120 with me."
He cracks a smile. "Because your honesty is a treat..." The older man touches the screen of his tablet with the tip of his stylus and shows me the adjusted price.
$99.9
"I'll take it," I say right away, and I hurriedly dump my wad of twenties on the table.
"Here you go."
My heart lurches as he retrieves Sunlight's collar from a drawer.
The tracker in this collar was supposed to point me to where Migs and Sunlight are, but that obviously isn't the case.
Where do I go from here?
The older man unlocks another desk and the bills disappear inside of it.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you."
"Can I ask who—-"
The old man shakes his head. "We do not get involved in our client's business."
"I just—-"
All of his guards take a threatening step toward me, and I realize I've reached a dead end.
"Please come again," the old man says with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
What do I do now?
I come out of Bucks in a daze. This was my last hope, and I just don't know what to do anymore.
Are you still waiting for me, Sunlight?
You're still okay, right?
Please wait for me.
I trudge my way back to the car through ankle-deep snow. My mind is still a mess when I open the passenger door, and seeing it empty is the last straw.
Oh God.
I crumble to my knees.
Help me.
Please.
Help me.
I close my eyes, but all I see is my precious dog.
My Sunlight, who only knows how to love.
He was only two months old when he was rescued, beaten black and blue by his former owner in one of his bouts of drunkenness. The man had begged to see Sunlight one last time when the authorities came, and the puppy had willingly jumped into his arms, tail wagging and barking as if to say...
I know you didn't want to hurt me.
I will always choose to see the good in you.
And I will never lose hope that you'll one day change.
The Villain
"THE GUY WHO SOLD THE collar to Bucks..."
I'm not sure how much time has passed since I started crying like a baby. All I know is that my life has reached an all-time low, with how a shudder of relief rocks my body at the mere sound of his voice.
"I know him."
My former hostage comes into view, and he looms over me while I remain at his feet, shaken and exhausted.
"I can help you find him, too...if that's what you want."
He offers me his hand, and I take it because I have no one else.
Our gazes collide as he helps me to my feet. I'm desperate for help. Any kind of help. But I need to be sure this time, for Sunlight's sake.
"Give me his name."
I need to know that he really does know who we're dealing with here.
"Miguel Dantes."
And oh God, he actually does.
"Can you tell me what he has on you?"
"He called me while I was still in class, and he told me he has my dog, and he d-does. I came home, and Sunlight was gone."
"He abducted your dog?"
"Sunlight is the only family I have, and he knows it."
"I see."
My nails dig into my palms. "I don't have much money, but whatever it costs—-"
"I don't need money."
"B-But..." How else am I supposed to pay him?
"I want something else."
Violet eyes lock with mine, and my mouth runs dry at what I see in his gaze.
For real?
A smirk slowly unfurls over his lips, and it's both the hottest and baddest thing I've ever seen.
"Why do you look so surprised?"
He's already drawing me close before I realize what he's doing, and the feel of his breath fanning against my skin sets my body on fire even in the dead of winter.
"Do we have a deal?"
All I care about is getting Sunlight back—-
"How do I know you can really help me?"
But I can't afford to make another stupid mistake.
"He gave me ten hours—-"
"Then the sooner you give me an answer, the better."
"H-How..."
I can't believe I'm considering this.
"How will this work exactly?"
"I accept all kinds of payment methods," he drawls.
What does that even mean?
"Four installments sound good to you?"
"I..."
"Perfect. I'll take the first payment now if you don't mind."
I don't under—-mmph.
My knees fold at the first touch of his lips, and my hands press against his chest...only to end up clutching his shirt when his kiss suddenly turns into a ruthless demand for submission.
The fierce pressure of his mouth steals the air from my lungs, leaving me dizzy. It’s relentless, a kiss that feels more like a battle for control, and yet my lips part with a whimper, betraying my resistance. His touch is fire, scorching away my doubt until I’m no longer sure if I’m giving in to him...or to the part of me that wants this just as much.