Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“What else?” I ask, hating how raspy I sound.
“Bruising. Swelling. Your, um, eyes are bloodshot. Probably from being choked. You have a minor cut by your eye and one on your chest. Patch thinks you have a mild concussion but wants to talk to you before making any official declarations.”
“Who?” I ask, vaguely remember a handful of men in leather vests.
“I work with him. He’s a medic and helped me get you home. He’s also responsible for all of this.” Ellis fans his hands out, and I finally look around the room.
“How?” I wince as I try to get my throat to cooperate. “I’m home?”
“Yeah, you’re home. He’s has access to, well, everything. He’s got you set up and has been monitoring you.”
“How long—” my voice cracks, but Ellis understands the unspoken have I been out, just fine.
“A few hours.” He gingerly lowers himself to sit next to me on the edge of the bed.
“What else?” I sound like a cartoon robot in need of oil. I hate it. I hate that any of this happened. I hate how weak I feel.
“Substantial cut on your forearm. Patch glued it for transport, but you’ll probably need stitches.”
Explains the sling and burning pain, I think bitterly.
Tears threaten to fall as my pity party ramps up.
“You’re not weak,” Ellis says, because, apparently, he’s developed telepathy.
“Didn’t say that.” I wince as my lips tug into a frown.
“You’re right.” He reaches out and smooths the wrinkle between my brows. “You didn’t, but your thoughts are playing out like a movie across your face.”
I flick my eyes away from him, glaring intently at the corner of the room.
“Don’t be like that, Princess.” His tone is pleading. “You’re so fucking strong. An absolutely warrior. Hell, maybe I’ll call you Xena—because you’re my warrior princess.”
“I love you, Sunshine.”
He groans a happy sound, almost a purr. “Say it again,” he demands.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Scarlet. Every piece of me loves all of you. I’m so glad I pulled my head out of my ass and realized how absolutely amazing you are.”
I lift my unbandaged hand his way, and he slides his palm against mine, holding me softly.
“What about...” God, I don’t even know where to start... James, Atlas, Nora. His mom. My mom. Fefe. Work. Everything.
“Where’s my Sweetpea?” my mom’s familiar voice ricochets through the house. Guess that answers one question.
“In here, Stacey,” Ellis calls, just as she barges in, Heather hot on her heels with James in her arms.
“Scar!” he shouts, but my mom talks over him, in full on mama-bear mode.
“Look at you, my beautiful baby girl.” Her usually bright eyes are dull with worry as she takes me in. “Are you okay?”
I try to nod, but it’s every bit as uncomfy as talking. “I’m fine.”
She narrows her eyes. “Scarlet Louise.”
“I am. Or, I will be.”
“What happened?” she rages. “Who did this to you?”
“Scar! Scar!” James yells again, straining to get to me.
“I think I’ll take him to the kitchen for a snack,” Ellis’s mom says to the room before addressing me specifically. “I was worried sick about you, but I knew Ellis would bring you home.”
“Home?” my mom whisper-shouts, finally noticing my things all throughout the room. “Somebody better start talking.”
“That’s my cue,” Heather says, making her escape with James in tow.
I don’t even know where to start, and the thought of trying to explain it all is so beyond exhausting, all I can do is look to Ellis with puppy eyes.
“I’ll give you the rundown, Stacey,” Ellis starts, his hand never leaving mine—a detail my mother absolutely noticed. “But I’m gonna need you to listen without interrupting because the faster I can get it all out, the better for your daughter.”
“Yes, okay.” She mimes zipping her lips.
“Scarlet had a stalker. He was deranged and obsessed with her. When his behavior escalated, she came to me, and I convinced her to move in so I could keep her safe. Unfortunately, he had worked himself into several facets of her day-to-day life, even inserting himself into her workplace. She believed him to be a friend, and he used it to his advantage and kidnapped her. I, along with some guys I work with, was able to track her location via a GPS-enhanced necklace. Working as a team, we were able to neutralize the threat and bring her home.”
Mom’s eyes fill with tears. “My brave, strong girl. What can I do?” she asks. “How can I help?”
“You can sit.” I jerk my head toward the other side of the bed. “And tell me all about your trip.”
“Are you sure?” She lifts one perfectly threaded brow. “Things got pretty wild. There was even a nude beach.”
Ellis tenses beside me but wisely keeps his mouth shut.
“I’m sure, Mama. Distract me with tales of your debauchery.”
“But first,” Ellis says, standing. “I know a little fur noodle who would love a cuddle.”