Page 26 of Finding Solace
"I don't know the details. I met a guy a few days ago, a couple of towns over, at a gas station. He paid me five grand cash and gave me the girl’s address and her description. I asked him how he wanted the job done," He shrugs his shoulders, "Some clients like the target to be taken out quickly, some painfully. I charge accordingly. I told him the job would be two grand. He told me he'd give me an extra three if I took care of the kid too. The suit said he didn't care, just that it needed to be done ASAP. I followed the chick for two days. I was going to take her out in her house, but she and the kid ended up at the hotel." The mention of Ava cause a deep growl to rise from deep within and I take a step further in the man's direction before he is quick tointerject.
"Wait a minute. I don't touch fuckin' kids, man. I took the suits money, but no way was I killing a kid." the dirty prickconfesses.
"Does the suit have a name?" I question with clenchedfists.
"No, I never exchange names with clients. All I can tell you is the man was around six-foot-one, black hair and maybe mid-forties. The guy had money written all overhim."
From the pictures I found online when researching her parents, along with the fact they showed up in town, I'm almost positive who is behind this shit. I can't believe the heartless bastards are even going after Ava, their own granddaughter. But my question is, why? I may not know the answers, but I'm sure as hell going to find out. I know all I need to know from this motherfucker. Looking the guy dead in his eyes, I reach into my cut and let my hand wrap around the cold metal of my gun before taking it out. Resolved in my choice, I aim it directly between the eyes of the man sitting in front of me and pull thetrigger.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MILA
Where's Ava?" As every muscle in my body screams in protest with the movement, I push up trying to prop myself on the pillow. I don’t know how long I've been asleep, but it feels likeforever.
"Bella has her, babe. She's in the room across the hall fast asleep," Reid comforts me, taking my hand inhis.
I can't help but replay the attack over and over again. I want to say I'm okay, but the truth is- I'm scared out of mymind.
"You want me to go get her,beautiful?"
"No. Not until I have a chance to clean myself up. I don’t want her to see me like this. Nothing about me is beautiful right now," I tell him. I don't want to think about how frightened she was sitting in that bathroom listening and not knowing what was happening. I look at Reid, "I would like to take ashower."
"I'll go get one started," he says standing, then leans down and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes and focus on the gentle touch of his lips against my skin, trying to calm my racked nerves. After he disappears into the bathroom, I take a moment to look at my surroundings. Being here- not just in the clubhouse, but in his room amongst his things in his bed I feel safe. What made that man choose me as his victim? Was it because I was alone with a child? I wouldn’t think he wanted to rob me because he was so intent on hurting–no, he wanted to kill me. Reid walks out of the bathroom towards me. He pulls back the covers and tosses them to the side, then bends down and scoops me into his strong arms. Part of me wants to protest. A much more significant part of me finds too much comfort in the warmth of his embrace. Carrying me into the bathroom, Reid gently helps me stand. I hiss at the pain in my side with the slight movement. I can almost guarantee I have at most bruisedribs.
"Shit, babe, I'm sorry," Reid looks on withworry.
"I'm okay. Once I can stand under the flow of that hot water, it's sure to soothe some of the soreness." Before I can reach for the hem of my scrubs, Reid grabs my hand, stopping me. Without a word, he takes the hem and starts to pull upwards. Slowly raising my arms above my head, I let him gently pull my top off. Stepping behind me, he unclasped my bra and slides the straps over my shoulders exposing my breasts before dropping it to the floor beside my shirt. My breath hitches. The whole scene a reenactment of the way I took care of him weeks ago. My heart starts to pound harder in my chest. As he moves to stand directly in front of me, I hold my breath and wait to see what he'll do next. His eyes never leaving mine as his hands glide with ease down the curve of my waist and rest briefly on my hips before hooking his thumbs into the waistband of my pants, peeling them from my body. Grabbing hold of his broad shoulders, I lift my feet to step out of them. Now completely exposed to him, Reid continues with his eye contact as he stands. Without hesitation, I watch him strip from his clothes as well. I feel my core temperature rise at the sight of his body. Taking in everydetail.
He takes me by the hand and he guides me into the walk-in shower, closing the glass door as he steps inside, not giving a second thought to getting his prosthesis wet. The moment the hot water cascades over my body my tension lessons, my muscles start to relax, and I close my eyes. Just after I turn around so the water is hitting my front, I hear the snap of a shampoo bottle. His hands tangle in my hair as his fingers gently massage the citrus-scented shampoo into my scalp, causing me to moan. He reaches up grabbing the detachable shower head and starts to rinse my hair. I spin back around to face him. Squeezing some body wash into the palm of his hand, he steps closer and lightly splays his hands over my chest. His touch teasing as he drags them down my sides, grazing the sides of my breasts along the way before sweeping across my stomach. He brings them up between my breasts only to repeat the same path all over again. Kneeling, he starts at my feet washing his way up my leg, stopping mere inches from the one place I want him most. My lips part when he looks at me with want. Continuing, he repeats the same process with the other leg, pausing inches from my aching pussy. Without warning his tongue darts out tasting me. I throw my head back as his mouth works magic on my clit. Reaching down, I run my fingers over his scalp as he devours me. My legs soon begin to quiver with my building orgasm causing my hands to grip his hair tighter. Reaching behind me, he grabs hand fulls of my ass pulling my hips forward just as my orgasm explodes. My release so strong, I almost blackout.
Suddenly overcome with so much emotion I begin to cry. Carefully rising, Reid rinses the suds from my body then turns off the water. Taking my face in the palm of his hands, he kisses me. It's not like the kiss that day at the party. It’s softer—sweeter. Coming to my senses, knowing I should return the favor, I reach down and run the length of his cock with the tips of myfingers.
"Kitten, this isn't about me, it's about you," He groans when I do itagain.
Gently stopping me, he states, "Soon, beautiful. You need to healfirst."
At that moment the words 'I love you' were at the forefront of my mind and almost on the tip of my tongue. After he towel dries me, Reid helps me dress in a pair of his sweatpants and one of hisshirts.
"I know they're huge, but they're all I've got," heexpresses.
"That’s okay. It's perfect." I tell him. They smell like him, and I find itcomforting.
"Come on, let's get you settled in bed," he tellsme.
Stopping in front of the mirror I look at myself. Busted lip, black eye and purple marks covering my neck. My daughter is safe, and I'm alive. Right now, that’s all that matters. Climbing into bed, I realize I need Ava with me. "Could you bring Ava in here? I know it's late and she's asleep, but I need to hold her for awhile," I tellhim.
"Sure." He says with understanding. Once he finishes getting dressed, he walks out of the room and reappears with Ava and I snuggle her close to my chest. I came so close to never seeing her sweet face again. So close to never hearing her say Momma or I love you again. Holding back tears, I look up at Reid, "Thank you," Iwhisper.
"I'll be in the room next door if you need me," he responds heading toward the bedroomdoor.
"Stay," I say, causing him to pause with his hand on the doorknob. "Please," Ibeg.
Shifting his weight, he turns and strides towards the other side of the bed, takes care of removing his prosthesis and climbs in behind me. He kisses my neck before placing his hand on my hip. It doesn’t take me long before the sweet sounds of my daughter's breathing cause my eyes to get heavy with sleep, and they begin toclose.
* * *
I waketo a soft little finger stroking my nose. I open my eyes to see Ava staring atme.
