Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“Baby, you need to calm down,” said Tao.
Yes, she did, but it was hard to think past the pounding in her ears and the red clouding her vision. “In case you’ve forgotten, someone shot my uncle.”
“Yeah, they did. And I want to rip out their fucking lungs because you were the real target, Riley. You.”
“I know that,” she clipped, voice fairly shaking with anger. “Ethan’s more important.”
“Not to me, baby. And you came too fucking close to being vulnerable in a place where there are two people who resent you. All things considered, you’ve got the right to rage, but you need to keep your shit together. I don’t want you going off on your own. Promise me that you won’t.”
“I could just do a flyby and—”
“Potentially get shot out of the sky,” Tao finished. “That’s not going to help Ethan or get you vengeance. Now come here.” He grabbed her nape and pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her stiff body. He could all but feel her fury vibrating through her.
“I don’t lose it often, but I find it hard to calm down when I do.”
He kissed her forehead, wishing he knew how to soothe and comfort her, but he wasn’t much good at this kind of thing. He tried petting the anger out of her, rubbing his jaw against her temple and pressing more kisses to her forehead. The whole time his wolf pushed against him, offering her that same comfort.
“Sage said he’d have Hugh and the enforcers circle the area,” said Tao when her body lost its stiffness. “It’s highly likely that they’ll find him.”
“They’d better not kill him,” she said, pulling back to look at him. “That’s my job.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Hugh and the enforcers didn’t kill the shooter. Probably for the sole reason that they didn’t find him. The news that the bastard had gotten away didn’t sit well with Riley, and Tao quickly came to learn that Riley Porter had a tendency to disappear into her own head when she was worrying over something. No doubt she was plotting what she’d do with the gunman once she had her hands on him. Knowing how merciless ravens were, Tao might have pitied the bastard if he hadn’t tried to shoot Riley.
Hoping it would help distract her from the temptation to venture off alone, Tao took her to her uncles’ cabin first thing the next morning. He could smell bacon grilling and eggs frying before he even got to the front door. He’d no sooner raised his fist to knock than Max opened up and urged them inside.
“Morning,” said Max. He kissed Riley’s cheek. “Have you two eaten?”
Riley nodded. “How’s—”
“Ethan’s fine, sweetheart. He’s feeling groggy and shaky after waking from the healing sleep, but he’s otherwise okay. Go on up to the bedroom. Seeing you should perk him up.” As she shot out of the den and up the stairs, Max looked at Tao and said, “He’ll let her fuss over him because it’ll make her feel better and he’s missed her.”
Tao followed Max into the kitchen. “How’s his wound?”
Max scooped two eggs out of the pan and slid them onto a plate. “Not as well healed as I’d hoped. Maybe that’s a good thing, though, because if he was fully recovered, he’d be burning shit down right now. Go on up.”
Tao took the stairs two at a time and strolled into the bedroom just in time to watch Riley huff as Ethan walked awkwardly to the bed.
“I don’t know why you won’t let me help you,” Riley griped. “It’s not weak to admit you’re weak.”
Sliding into bed, Ethan sent her a frown. “I can go to and from the damn bathroom on my own steam. And I’m not weak.”
“Is that why you look close to passing out?” She plumped his pillow and pulled the covers over his legs.
Tao sidled up to her as he spoke to Ethan. “How are you doing?”
“Better,” said Ethan. “There’s no need for all her fussing.”
Tao suspected the guy was enjoying it, but, of course, pride dictated that he hide it.
“Oh, I love you too,” she sassed, dropping into the armchair beside the bed.
The smell of eggs, bacon, and ketchup was followed by the entrance of Max. He handed Ethan a tray on which a full plate of food and a bottle of water sat. “Eat.”
“He hasn’t stopped feeding me,” Ethan grumbled to Riley and Tao.
“Good,” she said. “You need to build up your strength.”
Glancing around the bedroom, Tao noticed the number of “Get well soon” cards that were positioned on the dressers and the wooden computer desk. “You’ve had a lot of visitors, I see.”
“Max didn’t let them past the front door,” said Ethan, but it wasn’t a complaint.
Tao frowned. “Really?”
Riley looked up at him. “Our kind doesn’t like having people around us while we’re not at full strength.”