Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
I shuddered to think what the bill was going to be.
My health insurance wasn’t so much a protective umbrella in a storm as it was a garbage bag I’d found in the gutter and stretched out over my head.
I would have no choice but to risk it and take on a few of the iffier forgery jobs to pay the bill, no doubt.
He placed his coat over my shoulders as he led me to the hospital door. “It’s paid. Let’s go.”
I pulled against his arm as he opened the door. “What do you mean, it’s paid?”
With a sigh, he swept me into his arms and walked over the threshold and down the busy hospital corridor, completely ignoring the startled looks. “Just what I said, it’s paid.”
“Who paid for it? You?”
His lips thinned as he stared down at me. “No, Bob.”
My brow furrowed. “Bob? Who the hell is—”
Dammit.
I pursed my lips as I pointed my finger at him. “Stop going through my phone. Where is it?”
“What?”
“My phone.”
“At your apartment.”
“So you stopped to snoop through my text messages while I was lying on the floor dying?”
“Not exactly. I cloned your phone.”
“You what?” I said louder than I intended as it drew more curious looks from the surrounding strangers.
Var carried me into the elevator. “Push the button for the garage, third level.”
I leaned down and pushed the button without thinking. I was quite literally assisting him with my own kidnapping. “Answer my question.”
“Who’s Bob?”
“What do you mean, you cloned my phone?”
“Answer my question first.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “You answer mine.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I have other methods of learning all I need to know about Bob.”
He kept saying Bob like the word was mud in his mouth. I cringed to think what his methods would be. “Fine. He’s just some guy I met the other night.”
“How does he have your number? Did you give it to him?”
Not fooled for a second by Var’s calm and even tone or the casual way he asked, I knew I was in dangerous territory. Still, my pride would not let me completely fold under his pressure. “Not that it’s any of your business… but Michelle took my phone and exchanged my number with Bob.”
He nodded as his expression remained tense. “The answer is yes, I cloned your phone.”
My eyes widened as I gasped. “Holy shit, Var! That is not fucking okay!”
He set me down on my feet on the passenger side of his car as he pressed the key fob to open the door. I crossed my arms and refused to get in after he opened it.
He gestured with his head. “Get in, Viv.”
“Not until you tell me what the fuck you were thinking by cloning my phone.”
He leaned his forearm against the roof edge of the car as he gripped the top of the passenger door, caging me in. Then, leaning down, he put his face close to mine. “I was thinking you’re mine now, and I want to know where you are and who you’re talking to every minute of every fucking day.”
I blinked as I pushed back against the hard, warm metal of the car. “Do you have even the slightest idea how terrifyingly psychopathic that sounds?”
“Yes. Which is why you shouldn’t piss me off any further and get into the fucking car.”
So much for hoping last night was just a fever dream.
I’d hoped that in the morning things would be more rational and clearer between us. At night, things can get twisted, especially after a traumatic event. Countless relationships and friendships have been ruined simply because a conversation was had when everyone was just a little too tired, a little too stressed, and a little too over it.
It was like the moon turned us into werewolves, intent on tearing apart our own lives. Only for us to wake up naked in the woods with blood on our chin, praying to God we hadn’t completely killed everything we loved and held dear in the night.
I stared at Var’s feral expression as his dark eyes glinted with anger and intent.
My hand went to my throat as if I could feel the press of his sharp canine teeth against my flesh.
Apparently, not all werewolves disappear in the sunlight.
“I’m getting a new phone.”
“Get in the car, baby.”
My head turned to stare at the shadowed interior of the car. “Are you taking me home?”
“Yes.”
I knew better. “My home?”
“What do you think?”
“But…”
“I’m counting to three, Vivian. If you are not in that seat by the time I’m finished, I’m taking my belt off and bending you over the hood.”
“You wouldn’t dare—”
“One.”
CHAPTER 37
VIVIAN
My arms were crossed tightly over my middle as I stared out the passenger window. “You’re a real asshole, you know that?”
At three, he’d reached for his belt buckle. Since I hadn’t thought he’d hesitate to shoot anyone who tried to intervene if I called for help, I’d given in and got in the car.