Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
I act as if I can’t feel Alek’s eyes on me as the bus chugs away, but it takes almost four miles before the hairs on the back of my neck stop standing to attention.
It’ll be days before my backside stops feeling the effect of his touch.
Don’t ask me about the thud between my legs. We’re only just getting to know each other, so I don’t want to lie to you.
My tattoo was a stupid move, but when you’re eighteen, in a solid, seemingly unbreakable relationship, and deeply, madly in love, no decision you make is smart.
I met Alek when I was fifteen and living on the streets. He wasn’t a knight in shiny armor. He was behind the wheel of a brand-new Bentley, careening down the road with no care for its reckless speed.
When he crashed into a power pole only a quarter of a mile from the homeless camp I called home, the hiss of the power lines he brought down with his pricy ride frightened anyone from approaching his then stationary vehicle. I wasn’t scared. The only thing I feared was starving to death, so I snuck up to the Bentley and climbed through the smashed driver’s side window.
Bypassers thought my efforts were heroic until I peeled the driver back from the steering wheel so I could search his pockets.
I thought the pot of gold under the rainbow had finally found its way into my hands. All I got was a twenty-five-year-old male’s license, a handful of bills, and a faded family photograph.
Alek didn’t own the Bentley. He was joyriding his way to a six-month stint in a minimum security jail.
My raid was utterly worthless, but Alek didn’t see things the same way. He hunted me down for his wallet when he was released, and he got more than he bargained for when sparks flew.
He never crossed the line, though. Eventually, I took matters into my own hands when he kept saying I was too young for him. I wanted Alek enough I was willing to seduce him to get what I needed.
This is the point where I’m meant to say that the rest was history.
Regretfully, it was only the start of our story, and many months of it were painful.
That’s why I now go it alone.
I don’t need anyone’s help.
I am perfectly fine in my own skin.
When the bus arrives at my stop several long miles later, I collect my duffle bag and then make my way to the front. I could exit via the electronic doors in the middle, but I won’t sleep if I don’t have a word with the driver before then.
“If you touch her…” after staring at the driver long enough to let him know I ran these streets long before the Bobrovs, I nudge my head to the girl in a school uniform who shouldn’t be out this late, “… I will cut off the appendage you think she wants but doesn’t, and I will mail it to your mother so she can ‘attend’ to it like she did in your youth.” I could be way off the mark, but he screams pedophile pedigree from a mile out. “Do you understand?”
“I don’t know what you’re imp—”
I shut him up by grabbing the object I was referring to. As suspected, it is hard from watching the girl I’d guess to be around thirteen squirming in her seat about his unwanted watch.
“Maybe I should cut it off now? Save me needing to come back here tomorrow to ensure she is on the same route.”
“I-I won’t. I-I’m not interested in her. I promise.” I squeeze his groin harder, loving the weakening of its beating from my touch. I don’t want to be gawked at with envy. I want to be feared. “I swear to God.”
“God won’t help people like you.” Believe me, I found out the hard way. “So save your prayers for someone more worthwhile.”
Confident he’s gotten the point, I loosen my grip on his crotch, plaster a big fake smile onto my mouth, then exit the bus with a spring in my step. He will do as requested. I could smell the fear leaching from his skin. It was as intoxicating as the scent that wafts up when I enter the stairwell of my apartment building.
“Did you shadow the bus the whole way or take the shortcut only the locals know about?” As I sidestep Alek, his smile revealing I haven’t left his sight for even a second, I dig my key out of my pocket. “How did you know I’d be here?”
His deep, thick timbre sends a thrilling shiver down my spine. “You always come home when you’ve got nowhere else to run.”
Home is a weird word for a rat-infested dump that’s gotten worse since I was birthed on the concrete floor instead of better.