Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Eli chews slower and eyes me with suspicion that makes me want to prove myself to him. “In… what capacity?”
He won’t know unless I tell him, but the obedient dog deep inside me curls up in shame as I lie. “Bodyguard. But then I—” My hand rises to touch the artificial eye. It’s designed to be as realistic as possible, and since I suddenly lack the words to explain what happened, it’s easiest to just pluck it out and show him.
“What are you doi—” His eyes grow wide and at first, he puts his hand on my forearm to stop me, but then he must finally realize it’s artificial and lets go. “Oh. How did that happen?” His voice is so full of empathy I don’t know what to do with it. I don’t let anyone see my weaknesses, because in my experience they always end up being exploited. But the way he’s watching me now appears so genuine I long to rest my chin on his knee and let him pet me. As if it was Friday, and I was let off my chain to seek pleasure and bury myself in the fragrant warmth of another body.
I need to stop thinking of him like that.
“Injured on the job. It’s nothing that interesting.”
“And he fired you?”
“Moved me to other work.” More like, started ignoring my existence and the promises he made. That was why I was there to see everything unfold. “But I couldn’t leave. He still owed me a final payment.”
Eli laughs nervously. “Good thing you weren’t on the job when I made my move. I would have probably not made it out.”
A smile tugs on my lips. “Probably not. I’m happy it didn’t work out that way.”
“Wait.” Eli squints, looking straight into my eye. “Did you sabotage that Christmas tree so it fell on the cops?”
My toes curl at the sense of pride gripping every bit of my body. Sullivan never acknowledged me like this. “I might have.”
Eli chuckles. “I want to show my gratitude somehow, but I had to leave my car behind so I’ve got literally nothing. Too bad there’s no eggnog hidden in Santa’s Grotto, because at least we could get smashed before the inevitable capture by cops in the morning.”
“No,” I say, raising my chin to meet his gaze. I place both my hands on his knees and squeeze them in reassurance, because this is something I know. Eli freed me from Sullivan, and if I can make myself useful to him in return, maybe it will give me a sense of being done with my past life. Maybe then, I’ll be able to turn a new leaf even without the tattoo I’m owed?
“No?” He hesitantly glances at my hands.
I rise to my knees and nod, because I’m more certain with each heartbeat. Eli doesn’t deserve to rot in prison because of a good deed most people wouldn’t dare to acknowledge as such. But I know how much Sullivan’s death can mean to a man, and I’ll not let that happen.
“There’s a cabin in the woods. We can wait out the manhunt there.”
“As in… it’s your cabin?” Eli licks his lips, and now I want to lick them too. Fuck. He is so lickable all over. I would love nothing more than to bury my face in his armpit and rest. I can restrain myself though. I’ve done nothing but that all my life.
“We’ll be safe there,” I confirm as a plan of action comes together at the back of my mind. And just like that, I’m back on my feet, pulling him up to join me.
“I probably shouldn’t trust you. But it’s been so long since I’ve had someone in my corner, I just want to. Sorry I’m such a coward.” His eyes are so sincere and glossy with unshed tears, it takes all my self-control not to pull him in for a tight hug.
“You have good instincts,” I say, and my hands move up his arms. “I’m a stranger. But between me and the police, I’m your best bet.”
“That’s settled then. Let’s go to your cabin in the woods in the middle of the night. I’m sure that will be perfectly safe for me.” He smiles at me nervously.
I understand why he’d worry, but it’s okay. I know my own intentions, and they’re honest. I want to keep him safe, protect him, let the manhunt die down a little, and then we’ll think about further travel out of the country.
I will not get possessive of him as soon as we spend a day at the cabin. And I will not make a move on him. Even when Friday rolls around.
Chapter 6
Eli
Deep down, I didn’t believe the plan would work out. If the cops caught us, Cesar would end up arrested too, paying the consequences of taking my side. But I’m not good enough of a person to reject help when it’s freely offered. So I let him lead.