Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“Can I get a cheeseburger and fries with a chocolate shake?” I finally say.
“Sure thing, honey. You look really pretty today, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
I throw myself back into my notes and studying. However, I keep glancing out the window for a certain biker. Maybe he got tired of the food here or lost interest.
After about another hour, I’m full and I know my notes like the back of my hand. Exhaustion begins to set in, so I decide to leave. I pack my things in my backpack and stand to head out.
Helen tosses me a smile and wave. I give a small wave back. When I step outside, the air is crisp. I stop to look around the diner.
One of the reasons I started coming here was the curb appeal and the view of the little jogging park across the way. The place is in the middle of the city, but Oscar, the owner, has made it seem like it’s in the middle of a small town.
There are rose bushes on either side of the diner. The fragrance fills the air. You wouldn’t know the dumpsters are behind the bushes on the right side.
You can’t always find a spot in the small lot out front. Luckily, tonight, I have one and don’t need to walk across the street to my car. I’ve become more aware of how eerie this street can be at night since my biker hasn’t been here to watch over me.
I miss him. Not just because I felt like he would make sure I got into my car safely. It’s more than that. I have this ache in my chest and a deep need to see his face.
I’m so lost in my thoughts; I startle when I reach my car, and someone grabs my arm. My mind goes to my pepper spray and baton. Stupid me, I didn’t take either out of my backpack before leaving the diner.
At this hour, that should have been the first thing I thought to do. I’m so much smarter than this. Panic rises and I make the split-second decision to fight. I’m not going out like this.
I ball my fists and spin to face my attacker. However, I come face to face with Ferg. I wish I could say I’m relieved, but my adrenaline is already pumping, and my brain hasn’t had the time to process whether I’m safe or not.
My heart is still racing. Before I can recover, all hell breaks loose and I swear it’s like I fall into a movie.
Bradan
“Have you seen Kendrick?” Reilly asks as I head for my office.
I have a few things I need to take care of since my brain has been preoccupied over the last few days. One of those things being signing off on the approval for Seraphina’s return to the human realm.
Others don’t always need papers, but when they want to pass through a gate with certain supplies from their realms, they need our approval.
Seraphina’s sister, Nori, is a fire healer. Some of the things she needs to heal can only come from the fire realm. Since Nori is hiding here under our protection, when she needs supplies, Seraphina is the one who goes to retrieve them.
“He went to the party at Ricci’s with his mate. Is everything all right?”
He pulls a frown and reaches to rub the back of his neck. “Yes, for now, all is well. I just have a few questions for him. Nothing that can’t wait. I’m going to take a ride. You want to come?”
“Nah, brother. I have some things I need to handle here. With Kendrick finding his mate, I might need to step up around here, so I might as well get things off my plate to get ready,” I say.
“Why now? What’s going on?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I can only hope that whatever is going on has a trickle-down effect. I’m tired of being alone.”
Reilly snorts. “When are you ever alone?”
“You know what I mean. Even with the fire fairies, I have to hold back. That shit gets tiring, you feel me?”
“I do. I can’t remember the last time I tried,” he replies with a distant look in his eyes.
I know exactly where his thoughts are. I still hurt for my little brother. This life has been cruel to us at times. More so for some of us than others.
“When you find your mate, all of that will be a thing of the past, then you can finally let go,” I say and pat him on the shoulder.
I don’t miss the momentary flash in his eyes. I’m not about to get into a fight with him about this. I’ve never backed down from Reilly. I’m well aware of what he’s capable of.
I also know I’ve gotten a few flames off before he’s been able to strip my powers in the past. We’ve given Kendrick a handful to deal with over the years. I think I used to provoke Reilly the most when we were small.