Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
She doesn’t eat as much as I had hoped she would.
She pushes her bowl away and smiles at Esmerelda. “Thanks for lunch. Can I help clean up?”
“No, that’s my job,” Esmerelda replies. “You can go back to bed and get more rest.” She shoots me a serious look. “Don’t keep her up.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I mutter before I finish the last of my sandwich.
Eden gets up and gives Tyrone’s arm a squeeze before she leaves the kitchen with Bella trailing behind her.
As soon as she’s gone, Tyrone locks eyes with me. “How’s she really doing?”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure. She went through a lot, so it will take time for her to heal.”
“Did she tell you what happened?”
I nod.
“Bad shit?” he asks, looking concerned.
Yeah, bad shit.
Getting up from my chair, I say, “I’ll let her tell you when she’s ready. Okay?”
“Should I be worried?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. She’s very strong.”
“Yeah.” He glances in the direction of the stairs. “She is.”
“Thanks for the food,” I tell Esmerelda before I leave the kitchen to check on Eden.
“You’re welcome,” she calls after me.
When I head up the stairs, I hear Tyrone say, “Let me help you. It will drive me crazy sitting around and doing nothing all day.”
“Okay. That would be nice.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth, and when I walk into the bedroom, I let out a chuckle when I see Bella curled up next to Eden.
I could get used to seeing my woman in my bed.
Chapter 31
Eden
It feels like all I’ve done since Dario rescued me is sleep and eat.
I’m lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling while Dario’s working. At first, I tried to take an interest in what he was doing, but that shit’s so far over my head I quickly gave up.
Suddenly, it hits me like a lightning bolt that I haven’t called Sylvia, and I shoot upright into a sitting position. “Shit!”
The laptop almost flies off Dario’s lap as he shoves it aside, and a second later, his arm’s wrapped around my shoulder.
“What? Are you in pain?”
“I didn’t call my boss. She’s going to fire my ass.”
Shit, I lost my phone when I was grabbed.
Dario gets up and leaves the room, which has me calling after him, “Can I use your phone?”
Less than a minute later, he comes back, and when I see my phone in his hand, I crawl to the edge of the bed, asking, “Is it charged?”
“Yes.”
He hands it to me, and I quickly dial the diner’s number. It takes a while before the call is answered.
“Ben’s Burgers, how can we help you?” Sherrie’s voice comes over the line.
“Hi, Sherrie, it’s Eden.”
“Oh my God! Where have you been? Sylvia’s been losing her shit.”
Where have I been?
Not ready to tell anyone, I lie. “I was mugged again. The guy beat me up, and I was out of it. Is Sylvia there? Can I talk to her?”
A frown forms on his forehead. “Again? There was a first time?”
Shit.
I indicate for him to wait as Sherrie says, “Girl, you have the worst luck. Hold on while I call her.”
A moment later Sylvia’s voice sounds up in my ear. “Sherrie said you were mugged again. You okay?”
“Just beaten up pretty bad. Sorry, I didn’t call sooner.”
“I almost advertised your job. You’re lucky you called today. When will you be back? We’re getting busy with the holiday rush.”
Jesus.
“I’ll be in tomo–”
Dario pulls the phone out of my hand, and taking over the conversation, he says, “This is Dario, Eden’s boyfriend. She won’t be in for at least two weeks.” He listens for a moment, then mutters, “Do what you have to do.”
When he hangs up the call, I stare at him with wide eyes.
He sets the phone down on the bed, and leaning over me, he grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger.
Locking eyes with me, he grumbles, “Things are going to change. You’re no longer working at the diner. You will rest for the next two weeks.”
When my lips part so I can argue with him, he shakes his head and gives me a look of warning.
“You’re my girlfriend, and that means I get to take care of you. It’s not open for discussion. I understand you’re a strong, independent woman, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to stand by and watch you work yourself to death.”
My lips part again, but he stops me from talking with another serious look while saying, “I’m not done yet.”
Okay.
I’m liking this dominant side of him.
Dario sits down in front of me, moving his hand from my chin to the side of my neck.
“We have to meet in the middle, Tesoro. I won’t keep you from working, but you have to let me do things for you. Starting with me buying you a new phone.”