Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 32429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Of course, I can't forget about Xander, Xavier's cruel brother.
Xavier told me those death threats I was receiving came from his brother, and I have no doubt that he's just as cruel as Xavier is. It makes me wonder what he's capable of. Being alone out here isn't just dangerous because Xavier could recapture me and kill me. It's also dangerous because Xander could be out there waiting for my next move, waiting to capture me and break my wings so I'll never fly again.
I stumble through the undergrowth of the forest, the debris on the ground digging into my tender skin. It cuts me up and leaves deep welds in its wake. But I pay it no mind. The pain is just an afterthought. Now, I'm too busy trying to get out of here before it's too late.
After what seems like ages, I finally make it to a road. I'm so delighted when I see the clearing that shows the highway speeding past me, that I nearly start sobbing. But I forget that I'm naked, that I could be an easy target for any of the men in these cars driving down the road. I force myself to stay in the shadows of the forest glancing at the road where speeding vehicles are racing by.
I wish I could flag one of them down for help, but they're going too fast for me to discern who's inside, which means I won't be able to catch down someone who looks trustworthy. It'll just be sheer luck when I stop a car. Whether or not they're willing to help me will largely depend on whether I can pay them for it. And I know full well I can't. It's too late for me to go back and demand money from Xavier. I have no idea where Phoenix is either. He helped me out of the last mess I created, but I don't think he'll be able to help me out of this one. I'm all on my own now, and I don't have a shred of clothing to cover up my naked body, leaving me an exposed and vulnerable target for anyone who comes across me.
After a few minutes, I timidly approach the road, still staying somewhat hidden in the shadows of the trees growing by the highway. I start checking out the cars, but they're moving too fast for me to see who's inside. It could be men or women and they could be an enemy or a friend.
Finally, I decide I have no choice. Even if one of these men works for Xavier, I need to shoot my shot and try to get the hell out of here.
Deep down, I still don't know why I'm running. Why I'm struggling so much to get away from Xavier, when every fiber of my body is screaming for me to go back to him, crawl to him on my knees and beg for him to take me back and forgive me for everything I've done to him.
I take a deep breath and start signaling to cars that I need help, staying somewhat hidden behind the tree trunk and hoping someone will stop. But the cars whizz by without so much as a glance in my direction.
At least half an hour has to go by before someone finally slows down a little. But once they see I'm naked, I realize they're going to think the worst. I see there's a young mother with a child in the vehicle, and she narrows her eyes at me and speeds off. I wonder whether I would do the same. I probably wouldn't be brave enough to help a woman in need. After all, I betrayed Ivette, after everything she did for me.
As I keep shouting and screaming, signaling her help, some of the cars slow down and some of them race by. From the ones that slow down, I can quickly discern that most of them just want to use me. They probably think I'm a girl working on a corner here, trying to get some fast cash. The thought sends cold shivers down my spine, and I wonder whether I've really fallen so far from grace that this is now what I'm doing.
The road starts clearing up and there are no more vehicles coming. Frustrated and tired, I collapse on the side of it and bury my head between my knees.
It's not even two minutes later that I hear tires crunching on gravel as someone pulls off the highway and stops next to me. My eyes fearfully lift up, but I'm not fast enough. All I remember is a grin, a dark smile that reminds me of one man I've never wanted to disappoint again in my life. Then I'm suddenly knocked out, a cloth of some sort pressed against my mouth.