Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Fear?” I repeat. “I’m not afraid. Are you?”
She tips her head to the side and gives me a curious look. "Of course. I feel him everywhere. As if Carlos is lurking in every shadow, ready to strike. Do you mean to tell me you don't feel fear?"
I stifle a growl. “I wish Carlos would jump out from behind something. I’d love a chance to spill his blood on my family’s property and wring an apology out of him.”
Her eyes widen slightly, but she only swallows and nods.
Accepting me. Accepting us. I put my arm around her shoulder and draw her closer.
"I do fear some things, but not Carlos or his posse. Mostly, I just feel anger. I’m counting down the minutes until I get Carlos in front of me. First, I’ll make him pay for giving you that scar. Then, beat him to death so you know without a doubt he will never hurt you again. I relish the day I get to feel his pulse leave his body.”
That smile plays on her lips, and her eyes look a little guarded. "In truth, Ollie, I know you could. And that kind of terrifies me a little bit."
“It’s not about could, Renata, but when.” I tighten my arm on her shoulder.
She’s quiet for long moments. “Then what do you fear?”
"I was afraid when you were gone. I was afraid I’d never get you back."
She looks away again, her eyes sad. For the first time since I've had her back, I want to make her happy. I don’t like seeing sadness in her eyes.
"I don't know how any of this will end," I tell her, but I make her a vow there and then. "I’ll burn the world to the ground to protect you. Nothing will stop me from keeping you safe, I promise you that."
She turns to face me, her expression determined. "I'm not going to let my family control my life, Ollie. I won't let my fears control my life. I won't let any of them break me."
I cup her face in my hands, unable to stop myself. My touch is gentle as I hold her gaze. "I know, Renata. But it’s my job to protect you now.”
“It’s our job to protect each other.” She smiles sadly, her eyes shining with tears she won’t shed. “We have to fight back. And not every method of protection means a fist.”
“Yeah.” I nod. My mother protected me from my father, even though he outweighed her in power and rank by a landslide.
“I won’t live in fear,” I whisper. “We have to fight back. And the first way we do that is by making sure you don't have a tracker in you.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, God,” she whispers. “You do think it’s a tracker.”
I nod. “I waited until the wedding, but it’s time. I’m getting that fucking thing out of you now, no matter how much it hurts. You’re strong. You’ll be fine.”
“Oh my God,” she repeats in a heated whisper. She pulls out from under my arm and claws at her skin. “I was afraid of that, but the thought—of that in me--Get it out! I want it out! How do we remove it?”
That’s my girl.
Pride tightens my chest. “It will hurt. Flesh repairs quickly. By now, the skin has grown around it.”
“It hasn't been that long," she says softly, unable to hide her grimace.
"Long enough. First, I have to contact Aleks. Let’s get upstairs.”
“Do it,” she says, her tone vehement. “I won’t be a pawn in his game anymore. Please, Ollie.”
I nod and make the call as we walk swiftly to my room. On the landing, he picks up.
“Ollie? You alright?”
"I think Renata has a tracking device in her arm. I want to check, and if my instinct is right, I need to take it out immediately.”
“Jesus. You think they did it when they attacked and cut her arm?”
“Yeah.” I open the door. Large vases of white and red roses sit on every flat surface. On the small table in the entrance sits a bottle of champagne nestled in an ice bucket and a silver platter of chocolate-dipped strawberries.
We’ll get to that. I point to the armchair for her to sit. She obeys, enveloped in a cloud of satin and lace.
I cover the speaker. “Take it off,” I whisper. I take my hand off. “Go on,” I tell Aleks.
“Alright, so first we have to make sure that's exactly what you’re dealing with.” In front of me, Renata unfastens button after button, slowly undressing. I help her tug off the miles of fabric until she’s standing in front of me wearing a matching white satin bra and panties.
I’m instantly hard. I grit my teeth and concentrate. “Alright. Tell me how I find it?”
“I have an app that can detect a signal from subcutaneous tracking devices. You’ll have to put me on speaker. You’ll see me airdrop an app. Install it. That will give me permission.”