Page 9 of Infinitely Mine

“I’m sure this seems strange,” he continued, “but I only want to help. I’ve got a friend coming who specializes in helping the lost. Her name is Heather.”

My gaze slid over his body as he backed away, realizing he’d gotten closer during the conversation. He stood, and I gasped, taking in his jaw-dropping height. I couldn’t see beyond the vast expanse of his chest.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and slid from my car, wobbling as I leaned against the open door. A wave of fatigue washed over me, followed by dizziness. I didn’t have the strength to hold myself up.

“Mama!” Jacob’s frantic voice rang in my ears.

My knees buckled, but I never hit the ground. Massive arms wrapped around me and lifted, curling me into Mammoth’s hard, muscled, brick wall of a body.

A groan passed my lips.

“You’re not well, Gorgeous. You need food, water, and rest.”

“You shouldn’t be holding me,” I responded weakly as my head rolled to his shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”

I wasn’t fine. I didn’t have a soul in this world that I trusted, and that scared the shit out of me. My body didn’t care, shutting down from all the worry, stress, and malnutrition I’d experienced in the last week.

“Yeah, you will, once I get you settled at your place.”

My place? What the hell did that mean? I didn’t have the energy to pursue it.

“Mammoth?”

“Yeah?”

“Protect my son with your life.”

“I swear,” he promised as my vision darkened, and I felt my grasp on reality fade.

WHEN I OPENED MY EYES, I knew I’d lost hours. I no longer parked on the side of Highway 95 with my silver Honda.

Someone moved me to a bedroom and draped a blanket over me, leaving me to rest on a soft mattress with a dark blue comforter. The room was spacious and minimally decorated with only the queen-sized bed, two nightstands, a dresser with a giant mirror anchored to the wall above it, another much smaller dresser, and a fern in a terra cotta pot on top. Gray walls, light fixtures with white and silver accents, and two doors that led to unknown locations completed the bedroom.

Other than my shoes on the floor by the bed, no one appeared to have removed anything else. I sat up and rolled my shoulders, relieved the ache in my head no longer pounded the back of my skull. I folded the blanket and placed it at the foot of the bed before exploring the two doors. The first opened to the bathroom, and I quickly did my business, pausing to stare in the mirror. Dark circles smudged beneath my eyes, and I smoothed my braids, fixing my hair.

The other door led into a hallway where I spotted another bedroom, a second bathroom, a closet, and a set of stairs. I heard voices as I took the steps, slowing as I tried to recognize who spoke. Mammoth’s growly tone and a lighter, feminine one seemed to come from somewhere ahead of me as my feet touched the hardwood floor.

“Hey, Rowen,” Mammoth greeted me as I entered the living room. Two dark gray couches faced one another, and a black wooden coffee table was between them. He gestured to Jacob, and I went to my son, dropping to my knees to check on him. He clutched his stuffed Batman, deep in sleep.

I swept his hair back from his face, staring at the soul I loved most in this world and would do anything to protect. “How long has he been napping?”

“Not long. Maybe an hour.”

I bent and kissed the top of his head before I stood and faced Mammoth and the young woman sitting on the opposite end of the couch.

“I’m Heather.” She smiled and patted the seat next to her. “Why don’t we talk for a few minutes?”

I eyed the crowded couch. “Sure.”

She noticed my reaction and turned to Mammoth. “Hey, we need food. Go for some burgers or something.”

He stood and nearly hit his head on the roof. “What do you like?” The question seemed aimed at me alone.

“Chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for me. Anything diet or sugar-free to drink. Side salad with ranch instead of fries, please. Chicken nuggets, fruit, and milk for Jacob.” I frowned, wondering how I would possibly pay for this.

“It’s on me. My treat.”

“I don’t like to owe a debt.”

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