Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Taking a glance over my shoulder, I check nobody’s looking, then I head for the door. It’s supposed to be alarmed, but it’s been faulty and I know nobody’s gotten around to fixing it. I push down on the metal bar and head out into the sunlight.
Somehow, I’ve got to let her know she’s mine.
I AM GOING TO HAVE serious words with this girl about leaving her place unlocked. It’s like they all just trust that God is going to protect them or something. Fuck, I’m a believer, but I also believe that God helps those who help themselves, and they’re just begging Him to reach down and smite them.
Even so, I have to admit it’s convenient. I’m inside their place and already I can feel myself growing calmer as I sense her lingering presence. There are touches of her everywhere here, little highlights in the décor, a softer scent where she’s been, ice cream and frozen pizza in the refrigerator.
It’s soothing to be near her, and I don’t really care that my bail conditions specifically forbade coming this close to the church.
I don’t spend time exploring the house though. There’s only one place I want to be.
Heading to the back of the house, I find her bedroom easily, and duck inside. The house itself might be old fashioned, but there’s a distinct youthfulness about this room. I even smile when I see her Batman duvet and pillow set.
Pulling out drawers, I eventually find what I’m looking for: a pen and notepaper, and I sit down to write a quick note, but before I’m done I hear the rumble of an engine coming around outside.
Fuck. It’s them.
Her father gets out of the car first, followed by pastor junior.
“Get out of the car, Kristina.” Her father sounds exasperated.
A moment later, the back door opens and she steps out. I don’t like the fact that they’ve made my girl travel in the back. She should be up front, where she belongs.
She turns my way, and I duck down, confused. It’s like she knows I’m there. Like some sixth-sense connection between the two of us.
Pastor junior’s voice carries to me a moment later. “Let’s all just get inside, shall we?”
“Fuck,” I mutter, glancing around. If I try to get out of the house now, there’s no way I won’t be seen.
I hastily finish the note, put it next to the bed where I think she’ll find it, then take off my patch vest and fold it on top. Then I unlock the window, glance around to make sure nobody’s looking, and slide out, pulling it down behind me.
With any luck, nobody but Kristina will know I’ve been here.
“WRATH, I’M HEADING home for the night. You good to lock up behind me?”
Saint has stayed here with me all afternoon and evening, and I know he’s tired of my sorry ass. It’s not like I’ve been much company. Haven’t even drunk, except water, and despite his attempts to start conversations to pull my eyes away from the pastor’s house across the road, nothing has worked. I watched pastor junior leave about an hour ago, so it can’t be long now...
“Sure, whatever.”
“Okay. Well. See you tomorrow, I guess.”
“Yep.”
There’s silence for a moment, then he turns and leaves, and a few seconds later I hear the rumble of his bike as he tears out of the parking lot.
But I don’t do anything. I just keep watching. And sure enough, not long after he’s gone I see the lights go out in her house. First the front room. Then the kitchen. Then one of the bedrooms. And finally, her bedroom.
And that’s when I make my move.
Leaving the bar unattended, I head over the road and around to her bedroom window. I know I left it unlocked, and with any luck Kristina hasn’t noticed. I try it, and it slides easily, and a moment later I’m inside.
Her bedroom is dark, but the moonlight shines on her beautiful face, and for a moment I don’t know if I can stay here. She’s too much. I’m not good enough for this sweet girl.
But logic and reason aren’t in control right now. I need her. I want her. And nothing is going to come between us.
I step across the room, and lean down next to her face, just watching her breathing. Then I carefully, but quickly clasp my hand over her mouth.
She mumbles a scream as her eyes snap wide, but I make a shushing noise and shake my head.
“It’s me. Wrath. I didn’t do what they’re saying I did. You have to believe me, Kristina. I’m going to find out who did though, and I’m going to make them pay. Believe me, anyone that would put you in danger like that is going to learn the meaning of my nickname.”
I let go of her mouth and she raises her voice. “What the fu—”