The Red Roots Read Online Free PDF Page B

dawdled. To process her surroundings paralyzed Isla.
    The doorknob clicked and spun, and a petite woman in dark scrubs pushed the door open. Lines bracketed her smile. She closed the door behind her.
    “You’re finally awake. How do you feel?”
    “Who are you? Where am I?”
    “My name is Rosa, and you are at your father-in-law Ellis’ home.” She replied with a distinct Scandinavian dialect.
    Isla jerked her head, which was not smart. “How long have I been here?”
    “Reed brought you here two days ago. I clean you. Bandage your wound.”
    “Is Reed still here?”
    “Yes.”
    Rosa walked through a doorway next to the fireplace and returned with a long black dress. She laid the garment across the bed.
    “You will wear for dinner. Shower first.”
    “Dinner?”
    “Yes.”
    Still dazed, Isla didn’t argue but walked into the marble shower. Various soaps were lined up. Stripping from her clothes, she was able to balance against the wall, but Rosa still insisted on helping.
    When the hot water washed over her shoulder the pain was almost pleasurable. She must have injured it while dodging the bullets and flying shards of glass. Or perhaps she sliced it under one of the vehicles she crawled under. The water cascaded down her body.
    Isla washed. Scrubbed. Washed. Rinsed.
    She shut the water off. No matter how she bent or stretched, her muscles ached. Her mind was catching up to the present, like a shot of epinephrine had been inserted into her brain.
    Jules.
    With towel in hand, Rosa extended her arm. “Come, I help you dress.”
    Isla was in an alternate universe or a different cosmic plane—while naked—but she accepted Rosa’s gesture anyway. She steadied herself. The pads of her feet anchored to the floor. Once Rosa saw her capability to stand without assistance, she stretched over to the counter. Isla concealed what she could with her hands. With a gentle smile Rosa handed her a lace bra and panties. Covered and fastened, Isla threaded her hands through the straps of the dress. Rosa gave a generous yank over Isla’s ample chest. The silk spilled down to her toes. The high leg split caused her to pull the fabric closed. Rosa swatted at her hands.
    “Freyja.”
    Isla opened her mouth to correct the woman but the bedroom door swept open.
    “Isla?” Reed called out.
    She turned to face him and in a breath she was raw, exposed of all safeguards. Rosa slid behind him and out the bedroom door closing it behind her. He walked toward her. Shades of purple and blue colored the skin beneath his stubble-covered chin.
    When was it enough? When would she own up to her feelings? Did she want to break him because she was broken? It wasn’t right. He saved Isla after she punched him. What had she done? Acidity heated her gut. She was disgusted by her actions. Why did he love her?
    Why?
    His rich, cognac eyes gleamed against his all black suit ensemble. Reed’s dark textured spikes were styled in a conservative manner but with a rebel businessman edge. A twinge drifted across her hips. Looking at Reed made her feel loved. He protected and adored her, even with their distance. No matter how hard she shoved Reed away, he shoved right back with compassion.
    Reed cupped her face. “You’ll be the death of me.”
    “The feeling’s mutual.”
    He pulled her closer. Warm lips pressed against Isla’s. She didn’t resist. His delicious mouth and tongue welcomed. Isla breathed him in and tasted Reed. She grabbed the front of his jacket, pulling him closer to deepen their kiss. Damn the consequences. Damn Ronan. She couldn’t turn back on what she felt for Reed. Her heart beat not just for her and Jules, but also for him—for all of them. Though foreign to Isla, her love was real. Real as the pain that clinched her chest at the thought of anything happening to him.
    He pulled back slightly. “I never meant for you to get hurt.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Kata, the assassins, everything.”
    “What is going