Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
He had an aura of authority that made it difficult to look away, especially when his eyes were fixed on me and my daughter. His expression hardened into a glare that sent shivers down my spine. He crossed his arms as he asked, “How are things going in here?”
“Pretty good,” Blade answered. “Her fever just broke.”
“Good.”
Blade gave me a reassuring look as he said, “This is Prez.”
“You can call me Preacher.”
“Okay.”
Preacher turned to Blade as he ordered, “Give us a minute.”
“Sure thing.”
Blade gave me a reassuring nod before slipping out of the room. My heart started to race when he asked, “So, you’re the sister.”
“Yes, sir. I’m Jenna.”
“I know who you are. We’ve looked into you.”
“Oh, okay.”
“It seems you’ve had a rough go of it.”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“In my experience, people with your kind of past tend to either become fierce fighters who keep fighting to the bitter end or they become derelicts who will do anything to get what they want.” His voice was low and threatening as he added, “Which one are you?”
“I don’t know.” I glanced over at my daughter. “I guess, if I’m being honest, I would have to say both. I’m a fighter. It seems I’ve spent the better part of my life fighting, but when it comes to her, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do. But let me be clear... I am not my brother. He died long before Grim and his brothers killed him.”
“Come again.”
“Steven was a good guy, a really good guy, but the Assassins changed him.” I shook my head. “He quickly became a man I didn’t even recognize.”
“Men like that do have that effect.” He studied me for a moment, then said, “Glad your daughter’s doing better.”
“Thank you, and thanks for allowing Blade to help us.”
He gave me a nod, and without saying anything more, he turned and walked out of the room. I let out a breath of relief, then got up and walked over to Luna. She was still sleeping, but I could tell that her color was improving. I leaned closer as I whispered, “You had your momma worried, little girl. I’m so glad you’re doing better.”
“You two ready to go home?” Blade asked as he entered the room.
“Do you think she’s ready?”
“I don’t see why not.” He stepped over and glanced up at the almost empty IV bag as he said, “We’ll finish this up, and then, I think you two will be ready to go.”
Grim had slipped off an hour or so ago, and I hadn’t seen him since. I wasn’t sure if he was planning on coming back, so I said, “We rode with Grim.”
“I’ll get word to him and let him know that you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Blade.”
He reached into his pocket and had just started to send Grim a message when Skid came barreling through the infirmary door. Worry marked his face as he rushed over to us and asked, “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. She just gave us a little bit of a scare, but she’s much better now.”
“What was wrong with her?”
“It was just a bad stomach bug. She was dehydrated and couldn’t rebound like she should.”
Skid leaned over Luna and placed his hand on her arm as he whispered warmly, “Sorry you were sick, kiddo. I had no idea.”
Luna managed a light nod, but she was too tired to do much more. Skid gave her arm a tender squeeze before turning his attention to me. “Are you guys gonna be here for a while?”
“Actually, Blade was just telling us that we could go. I was just waiting for Grim to get back so he could take us.”
“I can take you. I was just about to...”
“I’m taking them,” Grim interrupted from the doorway.
“Oh, okay. That’s cool.” Skid and Grim exchanged a look, and Skid seemed a little aggravated as he said, “I’ll get going then.”
“Okay.” I smiled as I said, “Thanks for stopping by.”
“No problem. I hope Luna continues to get better.” As he walked out the door, he added, “I’ll check in with you guys later.”
Grim’s face was void of expression as he watched Skid walk out of the room. Once he was gone, he walked over to Blade and asked, “You sure she’s good to leave?”
“Yeah. I’ll swing by your place tomorrow and check on her.”
“That would be good. Thanks, brother.” Grim looked down at Luna, and there was this gentleness in his eyes that tugged at my heart. “You ready to go home?”
My breath caught when he called his place home. He could’ve said anything, but he called it home. It was more than likely nothing, but I found it touching, nonetheless. Luna didn’t seem to notice his slip of the tongue and simply nodded.
“Then, let’s get you outta here.”
Grim waited for Blade to remove the IV, and then wrapped Luna up in her blanket and lifted her little body into his arms. Seconds later, we were walking down a long, dark hall with multiple doors on each side. I didn’t think much of it until we stepped outside, and I saw just how big the place really was.