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)
My resolve to find a way to run crumbles, unable to withstand the powerful desire to ease the fierce man standing in front of me. He matters to me, even if he shouldn't. He might not want me…but I think it would hurt him if I disappeared without a trace. It’d eat at him like his sister's disappearance does.
I can't do that to him. I won’t. Even if it means giving up my chance at freedom, I won’t be the reason he spends the rest of his life feeling like he failed.
I lied to him the other day when I told him that all I want is freedom. And I lied when I told him that I don’t kid myself about being a means to an end to him. Maybe that’s what I am…but it’s not what I want.
I want him. Even if it’s wrong, I want him.
"Where am I going?" I ask, giving in to what I've been trying to fight for days now. Even if all I ever get are moments like these, when I can read in his eyes how much he cares about me, I'll gladly take them. And when he's no longer in my life, maybe it’ll be enough to know that, once upon a time, he felt something for me, too.
"I'm going to take you to Mila, conejita. She's at the ATF's headquarters with Roman's boss, Finn Bethel." He doesn't sound too thrilled with the idea. If anything, he sounds like he'd rather bite off his own tongue than take me there. But he doesn't have a choice. Which means I don't have one either. Not if it means hurting him.
"Let's go," I whisper, climbing from the examination table far more bravely than I feel.
Finn Bethel isn't a giant. He's whatever comes in above giant on the food chain. He's about the same height as Roman, but he's somehow even more massive. His black slacks are stretched tight across tree-trunk sized thighs. His blue button-down strains to encase the muscles in his upper body. His bald head gleams under the fluorescent lights in his office. So does his flawless ebony skin. He looks like he belongs at the top of a beanstalk or at an Ironman competition instead of in the middle of the ATF's offices. But his brown eyes are full of kindness, and his smile is warm as he introduces himself to me.
He stays on the other side of the desk, but my fight or flight response kicks in, the desire to hide behind Octavio pounding through me with every beat of my heart. I plant my feet, refusing to give in to the urge. I can't go through the rest of my life afraid of every man I meet. Especially when I know all the way to my bones that Octavio would never leave me with this man if he didn't genuinely believe I'd be safe here.
"Hi, Agent Bethel." I marshal my courage, giving him a tentative smile.
"Call me Finn, sweetheart," he says, easing himself back down into his chair. I think he knows I'm nervous and doesn't want to overwhelm me. The chair groans like it's in danger of collapsing beneath him, but it holds firm. "I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to finally meet you."
"You too." I give him another weak smile before looking around. His office is roomy, but it's a mess. There are casefiles and stacks of paper on two folding tables against the walls. Boards with photos and notes hang above them. Even the corner of his desk is stacked high with files. Shields with ATF emblazoned across the front are stacked in the far corner, alongside a stack of storage boxes with more papers peeking out.
"Are you hanging out with us today?" Mila asks, giving me a bright, happy smile. She's lounging in an executive-style office chair, her feet propped up on a matching chair. Her blonde hair is up in a messy bun. She's wearing leggings and an oversized T-shirt and looks as comfortable seated beside Agent Bethel as she does at home.
"Um…I think so."
Octavio reaches out to touch my hand, steadying me. "Something came up, and I need to go," he explains to Agent Bethel. "Would you mind keeping an eye on her until I get done?"
"Not at all. Mila and I were just catching up on Nailed It." Agent Bethel's eyes twinkle with amusement. "But if anyone asks, we're both working."
"Especially if Roman asks," Mila says with a soft laugh. She wiggles around in her chair until she's able to slide her feet out of the one pulled up in front of her. "Want to watch it with us? Hi, Octavio."
"Hi, pequeña." Octavio smiles at her before turning to me, his gaze serious. "Will you be okay, conejita?"
"I'll be fine."
He studies me for a moment. "You have your phone?"