Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
But so far, he hasn’t led me astray. If anything, he’s saved my ass more than once, by getting the body out, by tossing it into a big pit, by warning me about my former boss. Granted, he’s doing it for his own selfish reasons, but still.
“You’re sleeping on the couch,” I say, sitting up straight and gathering myself. “Understand me?”
“I’ll get a suite then. Best room they have on offer.” He gets out, beaming like he’s excited to have a sleepover.
The man’s an absolute maniac.
But there’s something about him. Even if this situation reeks of big, shady forces, Lanzo makes me feel weirdly safe.
I believe him when he says nobody will hurt me while he’s around.
It’s his aura of competence, his self-assurance, his confidence. And yes, it’s the way he looks at me like he wants to devour me, that doesn’t hurt.
I follow him into the hotel, even though I’m very sure I’m going to regret this.
Chapter 4
Lanzo
I wasn’t kidding about the suite. It’s way overpriced for what it is, but at least there’s plenty of space. Ren storms into the room ahead of me, glaring around like she wants to light the place on fire.
She’s a little spitball. Short but curvy. Gorgeous figure, full lips, thick brown hair that falls in heavy ringlets.
Exactly my type.
I felt it the second I walked into that motel room. The bizarre spark between us. Normally, I’d ignore a thing like that, but despite the situation, Ren kept her head up. She pushed onward, even tried to drag some information out of me, and that’s impressive.
Most people, they’d crumple and freak out.
Ren’s not like most people, which fascinates me.
“Not a bad couch, all things considered,” I say, sitting down with a sigh. “Definitely slept in worse places.”
She eyes me. “Don’t you have stuff? Like clothes?”
“It’s all in the truck.”
“Where did you keep it? I didn’t see—Actually, don’t tell me, I don’t want to know.”
She’s right, she doesn’t, since poor dead Peirce was lying on top of my bag. Which is fine, he was wrapped in sheets, but most people wouldn’t be happy about placing a corpse on top of their things. Personally, it’s not the first time a dead body got all over my stuff, and it probably won’t be the last.
Ren walks to the bedroom door. She flips on the light, looking around, but doesn’t go inside. I watch her, unable to stop—it’s like an obsession, my fascination with her. What kind of girl would take a job with a shady bastard like Dimitry, much less be willing to get rid of a body for him?
A desperate one, I’d wager.
But what’s she so desperate about? And how’s she so able to do hard things, even repulsive things? In all my time traveling through dangerous shitshow places, I’ve met maybe a handful of people like that—able to shut down and soldier through.
Ren’s got it in her, but I’m not sure she knows it yet.
“You said you could keep me safe if I stuck with you.” She turns back, looking at me from the bedroom door. “Does that mean I’m not safe if I don’t?”
I tilt my head to the side. The girl asks too many questions. “Yes, it does.”
“That’s convenient. How am I supposed to know this isn’t some elaborate human trafficking thing?”
“You’ve got one hell of an imagination.”
“After what we did tonight, can you really say it’s a stretch?”
“Fair point, but no, I’m not planning on trafficking you. That’s not my style.”
“What is your style then?”
“I prefer saving lives. Dead people can’t show gratitude.”
She rolls her eyes. “Am I supposed to believe you’re some sort of hero?”
“Believe what you want, but I did save your ass already.”
“I don’t think you did that for me.” She steps closer, her hands balled into fists. “I think you did that for you, because of whatever game you’re playing with that Burian guy. I think you’re going to drag me into it, but I’m telling you right now, when this night is over, I’m done with you. I’m done with him, too.”
My eyebrows slowly raise and, I swear, I’m half-hard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman more beautiful in my entire life.
It’s her determination.
She should be terrified right now, and instead, she’s standing up to me.
I like it a lot. Except it’s also very damn annoying.
“You’re involved whether you like it or not,” I say, leaning back to watch her. “You can blame me all you like, but Burian’s going to come for you sooner or later. At least with me around, you’ve got a shot at surviving.”
“For some reason, I don’t believe you.” She turns away. “Stay out of my room tonight.” She slams the door behind her.
A smile breaks across my face.
What an interesting girl.
Unfortunately, I’m telling her the truth. Burian really is going to come for her. She narrowly escaped from one of his traps tonight, and that rarely happens. He’ll try again, and next time, if I’m not around, she won’t be so lucky.