Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
"And that's why they put you in WITSEC."
I nod. "It was safer for everyone that way."
The only person safe from my father is me.
Chapter Nine
EROS
Bonte's eyes are filled with sadness, and it kills me, but I know there is more for her to get off her chest. I'm likely the first person she could really talk to about this without judgment.
As much as I hate her pain, it feels good to have her back in my arms again. It’s been a physical ache to keep my hands off her. I was trying to give her space and see if she’d open up.
I might not be great at understanding my own emotions, but I do understand how they work psychologically.
"It's okay to miss him. You know that, right?"
A shuddering breath leaves her. "I miss him all the time, and I’m so mad at him too.” I cup her cheek and swipe away a tear. “He ripped my world apart. Some of his kills might have been for me, but it was still selfish on his end." I nod in understanding. "They tried to make me hate him, and on some level, I do. I'm pissed, but I remember my dad. The man who tucked me in at night, put bandages on my knees when I fell off my bike, and loved me unconditionally. That’s the man I have memories of. Not the one in the shed. He was good to me." A sob leaves her, and I pull her into me and let her cry.
A lot of things make so much more sense now. She doesn't only keep people at arm's length because she's scared they'll hurt her. She also can't trust who they really are. That stems from living with a man that had a whole other life she wasn't aware of. But it's not only that. Bonte is scared for the people around her as well.
I run my hands up and down her back. “And now there is you,” she says with a deep sigh followed by a sniffle.
“You think I’m like him?” I ask. If I’m recalling correctly, The Collector killed a lot for financial gain.
I don’t mean petty robbery. He was a con man and swindled lots of people. When they’d catch on, he’d snuff them out. Some of his kills were clean and quick, and others drawn out. I can easily piece together which motive got which death. But that said, he did have a taste for death, and he was looking for a reason to kill.
“No.” She lifts her head. “You don’t hide anything from me.” A small smile plays on her lips. “You’re very blunt. It’s nice.” Her hands cup my face, and she leans in, pressing her mouth to mine.
I let my eyes fall closed and allow her to lead and control this kiss, for now. I open for her when her tongue swipes at my lip. A groan rips from me when one of her hands slides up, gripping my short hair. I fist my hands at my sides to keep from taking over.
“Don’t fight it, Eros. Always be you with me.” I growl against her mouth, making a giggle spill from her. I turn, pinning her to the couch beneath me, and kiss her deeper. “Yes,” she moans, wrapping her legs around me. “I miss this,” she whispers when my mouth latches on to the mark I left days ago. It has been fading, but I’ll fix that right now.
My ears perk up, and I hear a slight shuffle in the distance. I place my hand over Bonte’s mouth and put my finger to my lips in a quiet motion. She nods, giving me the all-clear. I reach my hand under the couch to grab a gun. I spring to my feet, taking her with me.
I move through the small cabin quickly and straight toward the bedroom, where I drop Bonte onto the bed before opening the closet door and pushing over the panel. I grab the bat and a knife.
I hold the bat out to her, and she takes it. I gesture for her to keep her ass put. Her lips purse, but she gives me a nod. I should have fucking asked if she knows how to use a gun, but I leave the closet open. There are more than enough in there, and if she feels comfortable enough to grab one or shit hits the fan, then she has options.
I slip back out of the bedroom, lifting my gun in front of me as I move back through the house and toward the door.
“Don’t shoot us!” Mac shouts from outside. I glance back toward the bedroom, and Bonte pops her head out. I holster my gun in the back of my pants as I head toward the door. I yank it open to see Mac and Naomi standing there.