Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
When a little spitfire walks up to the gates of Grim Road demanding to see our sergeant at arms, Dominic, I know I’m in trouble. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t quite place her. Something inside me warns me I need to figure it out fast, though. Preferably before the prospect manning the gate does something to get himself killed. When she refuses to leave, he gives her a good, hard shove. The expression on her face of shock and fear triggers a memory. A little girl -- this girl -- falling backwards off the front porch steps into the flower bed. Calista. Dom’s daughter. Only she’s not a little girl anymore. She’s the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I'm gonna make her mine. I just need to figure out how to keep her father from killing me.
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Chapter One
Calista
Nothing in my life could have prepared me for the last three days. I needed to get scarce. Now. Which was hard to do when my stepdad’s goons kept a close eye on me.
“Back in your room, Miss Calista.”
“I need to go out.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Calista. We have strict orders that you are not to leave the hotel room.” My bodyguard, Sam, wasn’t unkind or short with me, just matter of fact. I was a job to him. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“I know what he said, Sam, but I’ve got a… situation and I need to go out. Just across the street to the pharmacy. That’s it. I promise I’ll be right back.”
He narrowed his gaze at me. “The pharmacy?”
“Um, yeah.” I ducked my head, wringing my hands. I was trying to look nervous and embarrassed. I’m sure I pulled off the first. The second? Well, if terrified could pass for embarrassed, maybe. “You know. Feminine products.”
Sam swore under his breath, giving me a furious look as he took out his phone. That was unexpected. He was always so remote and aloof. If this didn’t work, I’d be dead. If Sam didn’t let me leave, if he sent someone after my tampons, I’d have to show proof. Because, you know, my stepfather had promised to sell me to some guy for a night to do whatever he wanted to me.
It sounded like it was to pay off a loan. I kind of lost the thread of the conversation after that, but the bottom line was, if they had to reschedule this little “exchange,” that guy was probably going to want to know why. Which meant he would likely want proof I was on my stupid period. Given the fact my stepdad didn’t think I knew what was supposed to happen, he might not be suspicious enough to prevent me from leaving for a short time while he contacted the guy. That’s what I was hoping for. If I couldn’t make it away, though…
Sam spoke softly, telling whoever was on the other end the situation in as few words as humanly possible. His irritation was very clear. When he put his phone away, he jerked his head in the direction of the elevator. The hotel was posh, and I was certain he could get someone to bring me what I needed. I’d chosen my ailment carefully, knowing neither my guards nor my stepfather would want to explain to anyone what I needed. Since the first thing Sam had done when he’d put me in the car to come here was take my phone, I was sure neither of them would want me to call down for it myself.
“Thanks, Sam.” I hurried out the door and down the hall before he changed his mind, or my stepfather did and called Sam back. “I’ll only be a minute,” I called over my shoulder as I stabbed the button for the elevator. Thankfully, it opened in only a few seconds.