Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
"Kincaid?" I turn to him, frowning. I know that name. I've heard it a lot lately. "Isn't he the cop you were investigating?"
Octavio nods. "He lives next door with his girlfriend, January. You'll be safe here. No one will come into his neighborhood, not if they want to survive anyway."
"He's dangerous?"
"Never to you," Octavio promises, squeezing my waist in reassurance. "Gangs and cartels are afraid of him because he's taken so many of them down since he became a cop. They try to stay out of way because they don't want to become his next target." Something passes through his eyes. It's respect or gratitude or something similar. I'm not sure, but there's a hint of surprise there too. "He told Tarasova that you're family now. Tarasova would have to be an idiot to cross him by coming for you, but we'll stay here just in case."
"What about work?" I ask, turning around in his arms.
"I'll be off for a little while," he says, his lips compressed into a tight line. His left eye twitches like he's stressed about it or maybe angry. "I've been suspended."
"For what?"
"It's standard procedure when an officer is involved in a shooting."
I frown up at him, knowing he isn't telling me the full story. I decide to leave it alone for the moment, instead focusing on the other issue. "You saw Nikolai?"
Octavio nods, searching my face for something. "I'll tell you everything, but right now, I just want to hold you in my arms and get some sleep. Can we do that and talk about all this later?"
I slide my hand in his, smiling when his fingers curl around mine. "I like that plan."
He turns to make sure the front door is locked, and the alarm is set and then leads me down the hall. Instead of taking me to bed though, he pulls me into the bathroom, hitting the light switch. "I need to shower first," he mutters. "I still have blood on me."
Instead of answering, I pull my borrowed shirt off over my head. As soon as it hits the floor, a hint of relief passes through his expression, like he's glad I'm not wearing it anymore.
"It belonged to one of Luke's sisters."
He grunts, which makes me smile. I may not know much about being in a relationship, but I lived among men for long enough to recognize the signs of jealousy when I see them. Octavio probably won't ever admit it, but I think he thought it was Luke's and didn't like seeing me in another man's shirt.
I strip out of the rest of my borrowed clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor.
Octavio watches me for a moment and then tugs his shirt off over his head. Dried blood is smeared across his chest and abdomen. "Close your eyes," he murmurs when he sees me looking at the blood, quickly stripping out of his slacks. He lays a gun carefully on the counter and then strides the few steps to the shower to turn it on, the muscles in his back and ass rippling as he moves. "I don't want you seeing me with their blood on me."
Even with blood drying in streaks on him, I feel no fear. His body is incredible, and so is he.
"I'm fine, Octavio. I'm not afraid of you."
"I know, angel. But I don't want you seeing me this way. Let me wash it off and then I'll hold you, okay?"
"Okay," I agree instead of arguing, knowing this is important to him.
He climbs into the small shower, hissing when the cold water hits him, but he doesn't complain. Instead, he grabs a bottle of body wash and pours it into his hands. I wander around the small bathroom, waiting for him to finish. The room isn't very big. The tub is old, with blue and white checkered tiles on the walls. The rest of the walls are painted pastel blue. The floor is faded linoleum. The towels are gently worn, but still soft and fluffy.
"Come here, Faith."
I glance over to see Octavio holding his hand out to me. His skin is reddened where he scrubbed the blood from his body. Rivulets still run down the drain, but there's not a single drop on him anymore.
I cross to him, placing my hand in his. He pulls me into the shower with him, closing the curtain to trap the heat inside with us and keep water from spraying all over the floor.
He wraps his arms around me, holding me close as the water beats down on us. I close my eyes and lean against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear. Mine begins to race as he runs his rough hands up and down my back. Heat pools low in my belly, desire sparking to life.