Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
When he removes a black credit card from his wallet, I quickly get the machine ready for him to tap. Once he’s done, I press the button for the receipt to print. Usually, people tell me to throw it away, but when I hold it out to the man, he surprises me by taking hold of the slip of paper. Our fingers brush for a nano-second, but it’s long enough for a spark to shoot up my arm.
I quickly let go, my eyes darting to his face. The instant our gazes meet, it feels as if all the air is sucked out of the store.
Generally, I avoid eye contact at all costs, but his take mine prisoner, and I’m unable to look away.
This man is easily two heads taller than me, and he looks very strong. There’s a strange aura around him, and it sets off all my alarm bells.
“Tão Linda,” he murmurs before he picks up his coffee and walks out of the store to where a black SUV is parked.
“My name isn’t Linda,” I mumble under my breath while my eyes devour his broad shoulders and how well the suit fits his muscled body.
Slumping down on the worn leather seat of the stool, I continue to watch as the handsome man climbs into the SUV.
Well, there’s something you don’t see often in Aurora.
He must be passing through town because men like him are as scarce as chicken teeth around these parts.
Just as well. I get the impression he’s all kinds of trouble, and I’ve had enough of that to last me several lifetimes.
Chapter 2
ENZO
After getting some coffee, I sit in the SUV and watch the woman who’s seated behind the counter in the small store.
I only have a thirty-minute drive still to go before I reach the house that the team from the island found for me. I was surprised when they contacted me during the flight to let me know they’re renting a property in Tower while the sale goes through. The weapons will arrive tomorrow.
Tower is close to Aurora, and from the photos they sent me, the house looks okay enough to stay in while I’m dealing with the MC.
Honestly, I could’ve kept driving, but on the spur of the moment, I pulled over at this gas station that’s practically in the middle of nowhere.
I take in the woman’s blonde hair, which is pulled up in a ponytail, soft bangs framing her forehead and cheeks.
Jenna.
I saw her name on the tag pinned to her shirt.
I keep staring at her, thinking her eyes are something I’ve never seen before. One blue and one green.
I know there’s a term for it, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what it’s called.
Instead of starting the engine and getting my tired ass to the rental so I can sleep, I pull my phone out of my pocket and Google what it’s called if you have different color eyes.
Heterochromia.
Such an ugly word for such a beautiful sight.
My gaze returns to Jenna, who’s sitting with her chin resting on her palms, her focus on something that’s hidden from my sight.
I take a sip of the coffee and grimace when it tastes like shit.
Setting the cup down in a holder between the front seats, I keep watching Jenna while thinking about our short but surprising interaction.
When I entered the store, she startled badly as she popped up between the shelves. Only one look from me had her blushing bright red and hightailing it to the counter.
She didn’t say a single word and did her best to avoid eye contact with me. But I captured her blue and green gaze, and what I saw made me feel something foreign.
There was so much pain and fear in her eyes, and she was trembling. In a matter of seconds, I was able to read her like an open book.
She’s shy and more antisocial than me. She’s suffered through something that broke her, but she’s also innocent.
I’d guess her to be in her early to mid twenties. From the worn state of her clothes, it’s obvious she’s poor. Her nails are bitten short, which tells me she’s constantly anxious about something.
Honestly, she reminds me of a younger version of myself, before I learned how to become the hunter instead of being the prey.
Suddenly, Jenna laughs, her face lighting up for a couple of seconds. A breathtaking smile eases the tension from her beautiful features, completely captivating me.
My lips part, and I suck in a shocked breath.
Holy fuck, I’ve never seen anything or anyone more beautiful in my life.
Then she quickly schools her face and nervously glances around the store and out the window. When her eyes land on my SUV, they widen with worry.
I know she can’t see me through the tinted windows, but not wanting to cause her any further anxiety, I start the engine. As I slowly drive out of the gas station, I sneak a last glance at the blonde beauty before focusing my attention on the road.