Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
She blows out a harsh breath. “I knew without a doubt that he would come for me, restraining order be damned, so I had to cut all ties with my mom and leave my phone behind. I had no choice but to take the SUV he had given me since it was my only form of transportation. I stopped at a mechanic shop that a friend owned, and he made sure it couldn’t be tracked, and then we took off.”
“How did you end up here?” I ask since her license plate says California.
“I started driving and didn’t stop until I felt like I was far enough away. I love flowers, hence Violet’s name, so when I saw a sign for Rosemary, I felt like it was fate.”
“I’m glad you came here.”
“I am too,” she breathes out. “But I didn’t realize that I’d picked such an expensive town.” She chuckles. “The cost of hotels added up quickly, and before I could find a job, I was almost out of money, which is why you found us living out of our car.”
“What can I do?” I ask, needing to do something to help Kira.
She’s been through so much, none of which she deserved.
“You’re doing it,” she says, palming the side of my face. “You gave me a job and Violet and me a safe place to live.”
“You can’t run forever,” I tell her, hating that I need to point out the obvious, but I’m a realist. I deal with facts and numbers.
“I know,” she says, swallowing nervously and dropping her hand from my face. “But I’m hoping, with time, he’ll move on.”
“You’re still married to him. You’re driving a vehicle he bought you.”
Speaking of which …
“How are you paying for the insurance?”
“I’m not,” she admits sheepishly. “Because he kept it in his name so I would be forced to be dependent on him, I couldn’t get insurance on my own.”
Fuck. “That’s why you were hiding it in the parking garage and don’t drive anywhere.”
“Yep. I’m sure he’s reported it stolen.”
“And you’re still married …”
“Only until I can figure out how to divorce him without him coming after me. And I don’t know how that’s going to happen when he’s a damn attorney with money and connections. My only saving grace is that I never let him adopt Violet.” She glances down and shakes her head. “I feel like the biggest fool for falling for him. I should’ve known it was all too good to be true.”
“Hey,” I say, lifting her chin so she’ll look at me. “You’re not a fool. And not all men with money are like that. He’s a piece of shit who’s going to get what’s coming to him. Not only will I make sure you get your divorce, but he’s also never coming near you or Violet again.”
“How can you promise that?” she whispers.
“Because money talks and I’m filthy fucking rich.”
“Ryder,” she gasps. “I can’t ask you to do that for me.”
“You didn’t ask. But I’m going to handle it all the same.”
“And what do you want in return?”
“I want you to have a choice. I want you to be safe and free. You won’t owe me anything, but the promise that you’ll live your life how you want. That you won’t let guys like Brian or your or Violet’s sperm donor taint you or your perception of the world. I know it’s hard to believe since you’ve been surrounded by so many shitty men, but not all of them are like that. I promise.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” she says with a sigh, leaning into me and resting her head on my shoulder.
Without thought, I turn my face and kiss the crown of her head. “It’s all going to be okay,” I murmur. “I’m going to make sure of it.”
She nods in understanding, and then after a few minutes of silence, she says, “Can you read another chapter to me? I’m dying to find out what happens now that she’s found him.”
I chuckle and grab the book from the end table. “What do you think is going to happen?” I ask as I turn back to where I left off the other night.
I’ve already finished the book, so I know how he acts, but I’m curious about her thoughts.
“It’s romance, so at some point, he’s going to sweep her off her feet and confess his undying love to her, but it’s only the beginning of the book, so it’s too soon for that. Which means he’s probably going to freak the hell out.”
I chuckle, knowing that’s exactly what happens, and then say, “Let’s find out.”
chapter eleven
KIRA
“You know you don’t work on the weekends, right?”
I turn around and find Ryder standing in the kitchen, leaning against the wall. He’s in a pair of basketball shorts and a white T-shirt, stretched taut across his chest. His brown hair is messy from sleep, his eyes still slightly hooded, and when he rubs his stomach, his shirt rises, showing off that goddamn happy trail that has starred in quite a few of my fantasies as of late.