Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
“Valerie?” he cooed, stuck between wanting to wake her as he became concerned with how long she had been out and not wanting her conscious and speaking again. God only knew how the unpredictable and psychotic woman would react when she did wake in his arms.
Sal’s worry only grew, and so he tried calling her name again. The slight, groggy moan that escaped her lips had him tightening his jaw. Not wanting to think he was possibly starting to become attracted to her, he patted her cheek, and his tone got harsher.
“Valerie?”
Lashes finally started to lift off her cheeks. “W-What happened?”
“You fainted.”
“I w-what?”
She was clearly still a bit dizzy, so Sal thought it would be best to move her to a place she could better relax. Lifting her off the ground in his arms, he left the room in search of finding a safe place. He spotted the futon in the living room and went to lay her down gently on the rickety furniture. He really hoped this wasn’t where she was forced to sleep every night.
Taking advantage of the closeness, she felt up his biceps, trying to squeeze hard through his suit. “Wow, you’re stronger than you look.”
Instantly, Sal reached for her forehead, thinking he might need to take her to the hospital. Valerie had to be critically ill to give him somewhat of a compliment. When he touched her skin, it was slightly sweaty but not hot or anything.
“Let me get you some water.”
As he rushed to the kitchen, he swore if she didn’t feel better in five minutes or so, he would be taking her ass to the ER.
“On your way back from the kitchen,” she began huskily, “could you bring me some Twizzlers?”
And … she’s back.
Sal rolled his eyes heavenward, feeling foolish at himself for being so concerned with his snooping neighbor’s wellbeing, which he had wished many weekends of her eviction or death. Whichever one came first.
“Where are they?” He didn’t see them anywhere in the tiny old kitchen.
“In the candy drawer,” she yelled back over the couch, sounding perfectly fine. “The one closest to the fridge.”
“Of course, you have a fucking candy drawer,” he muttered quietly under his breath as he tried opening it to find it stuffed to the brim with MoonPies and Nutty Buddies.
“I don’t see any!” he called out again in frustration when its contents only held items mostly from that Little Debbie bitch.
“The drawer on the other side of the fridge!”
Already opening the other one, he found it, too, was stuffed but held items like Gummy Bears, Starbursts, and Snickers, along with her Twizzlers.
When he returned with the Twizzlers in hand, Valerie smiled.
“Sorry, that other one was my snack drawer.”
TEN
THE LOONEY BIN
Valerie chewed on her Twizzlers, deep in thought. After showering and putting on some fresh clean clothes, she felt a lot better considering she was worth two million dollars. Sal hadn’t left yet, still concerned she might pass out from her hot shower. She had half a mind to feel a little bit embarrassed about her tirade but, luckily for her, she no longer gave a fuck. Valerie had already experienced the most embarrassing moment in all her life when she’d gotten arrested, followed by her temper tantrum in the back of the cop car. It was hard to feel any embarrassment after that, not to mention she had already shown Sal her true imp self.
Taking another Twizzlers from the bag, she couldn’t believe her predicament. How the hell was she supposed to find out who was framing her without her computer?
The phone ringing in Sal’s pocket gave her a bright idea. She might not be able to use electronic devices …
But Sal could.
He definitely wasn’t as skilled as she was, but I’m sure I could talk him through it.
The hardest part was going to be the fact she was going to have to play nice with him for a little bit longer.
“I’ll bring her in.”
Catching the end of his phone call, Valerie grew worried. “Bring me in where?”
Sal gave her a smile. “That will ruin the surprise.”
“I-I don’t want to go back to jail.”
When he saw the worry in her eyes, he let her know he had no plans of taking her there. “I wouldn’t take you to jail. Besides, I’d get way too much enjoyment seeing you arrested again.”
With her eyes turning to slits, any fear of being taken back to a cell were gone, knowing he would, in fact, love to see that again.
She was about to tell him to fuck off and kick rocks but had to remind herself that she needed him.
“Let’s go.” He motioned for her to move toward the front door.
“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?”
Sal shook his head. “Nope.”
“Fine.” She got up, rolling her eyes, and headed out with him. It wasn’t like Salvatore Lastra was dangerous in any way, right? Officer Daniels’ fear and warning of Sal entered her mind, but then she almost practically laughed. Nah! Hell, he wore glasses, for Christ’s sake. Dangerous men didn’t wear glasses.