Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“I’ll be right outside if you need help,” he tells me.
There are several bruises on me. Other injuries are covered by bandages. I’m not sure what’s from the accident, and what was caused by my fiancé-turned-stranger.
I’m relieved there are no visible injuries on my stomach. I felt another flutter while Atlas was introducing himself, and I think it’s a good sign. I sense that the baby’s okay, even though I can’t fully shake the worry.
There’s a mirror over the sink that’s hard to avoid as I wash my hands, and my reflection is a shock. Instead of even waves, my hair is now matted in parts, staticky in others. The thought of trying to work a comb through it makes me want to go back to sleep.
Most of my careful wedding makeup is gone. There are dark areas under my eyes that appear to be part mascara smudge and part fatigue.
The last time I looked at myself, I was pinning a veil into my hair, full of hope, buoyant, happy. Now I’m trying to survive.
As promised, Atlas is outside the door when I open it. I think I’d be okay without his assistance, but the gentle support of his hand is a much-needed comfort as he leads me back to the bedroom, where cushions have been added to the bed so I can sit up.
There’s a tray of food waiting for me. A steaming bowl of soup, toast neatly cut into triangles, and a small bowl of applesauce.
“Thank you for this,” I say in the direction of all three men. “And thank you for saving me.”
Atlas nods, a hint of a warm smile on his lips. The big man called Grizz ducks his head like he’s not used to accepting recognition.
Viper appears to be sizing me up and doesn’t acknowledge my comment. Instead, he asks, “Any bleeding?”
I’m caught off guard by the abrupt question, but I shake my head. “No, none that I can see. I didn’t check my bandages.”
His eyes are an unnerving pale blue, and they seem to almost look past me. “I meant between your legs. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
I was about to get back into the bed, but I freeze. “How did you know that?” I’m barely showing, and my curvy build makes my emerging baby bump even less noticeable.
When Viper doesn’t answer, Atlas speaks up. “You were shielding your stomach in the crash.”
That hardly seems like evidence, and it flares my suspicions, but when I look down, I find my hand there now, fingers splayed, palm protectively cupping my midsection.
“No bleeding,” I tell Viper in a near whisper.
“Cramping?” He’s cool and clinical. I can imagine him as a doctor holding a clipboard, rather than a lumberjack-looking type in his denim and flannel.
I shake my head, relieved to confirm the absence of these symptoms.
“How far along are you?” Atlas asks.
“Four months. Everything was good at my last checkup.”
“Okay,” he says. “Is there someone in your family we should contact?”
“No, no family.” Preston was going to be my family. Preston. My veins turn to ice at the thought of him finding out my location. “You can’t tell anyone where I am.”
Joints crack as Atlas tilts his head to the side. His fingers curl into his palms. “What happened, Kira? Why were you running from your wedding?”
My gaze drops to my hand, where my engagement ring still circles my finger. So ostentatious. Even though it wasn’t my style, I’d thought the size of it was a representation of Preston’s love for me. Now I know it was only for appearances.
It feels heavy as a boulder.
The shock of what I overheard about assassination contracts and political corruption wars with disbelief that the man I was about to marry could be involved in such darkness. But the way he acted afterward eliminated the doubt I would have naturally had.
“I … I found something out that I wasn’t supposed to hear.”
Atlas’s brows lift, one of them arching, and I’m sure he’s about to ask for details, but I’m not saying anything else. I don’t know if I can trust these men, and if I can, I don’t want to give them information that will put them in danger. Even telling them who my fiancé was would be telling them too much.
“Can we talk more later? I’m hungry, and I’m tired.”
Viper frowns, but Atlas agrees. “Get some food in you. Is there anything you need?” When I shake my head, he says, “We’ll be nearby. Call out if you need us.”
The three of them leave, and then I’m alone with my thoughts. Not a pleasant place to be. I focus on my food, trying not to think about how the man who claimed to love me is the reason my jaw aches every time I take a bite of toast.
I eat slowly, and by the time I’m done, my eyes are heavy.