Scandal: The Reckless Series, Book #3 (The Reckless Crew) Read Online Free

bedroom. I leave the door cracked in hopes of hearing her if she wakes. I have no clue how she’ll react and I’d expect the worse from what she’s been through.
    A shower has never been so refreshing in my entire life. The hot water cleansing off the filth of the shelter and airport refreshes every part of me. I’d love to stay longer letting the hot rain of water massage my skin, but I don’t.
    I’m out and drying off before I peek into the room. Chloe is still out and in the same position. Boozer is at the foot of the bed waiting for me. My dad must have set up a cot and grabbed my favorite pillow and blanket. He knows all of my weird-ass quirks all too well.
    I dim the lamp and make sure Chloe’s pills and bottle of water are on the nightstand next to her. I have tomorrow off from Blue Iron and will be here when she wakes up. I look down to her pale skin and light bruises on her jaw line. They just keep re-appearing. My hands run over my hair and I wonder how in the hell I missed all of her injuries.
    After several moments of silently studying her, I make my way to my cot, and collapse. My eyes are heavy and my soul is drained.
    I pat the side of the cot. “Boozer, boy.”
    He brings his head up from the mattress and only stares at me.
    “Damn traitor,” I whisper, but it warms my heart he’s so loving and protective.

Four

Chloe
    T he room is dark and my mind swims in fear. I reach over to the other side of the bed and Zack isn’t home. I sit up, pressing down with an arm and realize it’s bound to me. I panic, wondering if he’s tied me up again. My muscles instinctively flex in terror.
    Something from the end of the bed stirs and a blood-curling scream escapes. I panic, fighting my way up to the headboard. It’s not my bed. What in the hell is going on? Has he taken me somewhere? A flash of pain blinds me. The feeling is so intense I feel dizzy.
    “Chloe, it’s okay.”
    A voice comes from the side of my bed and I’m afraid to look over.
    “It’s Kip. You’re okay.”
    His voice is soothing and threat free, but my mind whirls to figure out who in the hell Kip is. I hear his feet pad around the end of the bed until he’s standing in the dim light flowing from the lamp. It takes me a few seconds and a long dry swallow to see him.
    I clutch my chest with my free hand and let out all the fear. The events of the last two days reel in my memory, which only causes the panic to rise right back up.
    “Need a drink.” He holds out a bottle of water.
    I only nod and watch him twist off the cap before holding it out further. The water is refreshing, taking away the severe case of cottonmouth.
    “My dad fixed your arm.” He sits on the edge of the bed. “We thought it would be best for you to stay here in case…”
    I finish his sentence for him. “He comes for me.”
    Kip drops his head in defeat and nods.
    My stomach breaks the long silence with a loud growl.
    “Wait here.” He hops from the bed and jogs out the door.
    I look around the dimly lit room to see very comfortable surroundings. The big red dog at the end of the bed creeps his way up with loveable deep brown eyes. I love animals, but they were always a no-no in Zack’s eyes. He claimed they only made a house stink and were dirty with hair.
    “Hey boy.” I pat the bed next to me.
    He creeps up further until he’s lying next to my outstretched legs. The dog is huge and sporting a few grey hairs on the top of his head. He lets me scratch behind his ear.
    “Thanks for sharing your bed with me.”
    Kip’s voice startles me, but the sweet smell of the food he’s carrying calms my nerves right down.
    “It’s not his bed. He seems to like you a bit.” He smirks and hands me a container of take-out before easing himself down on the bed with the dog between us.
    “What’s his name?” I ask.
    “Boozer.”
    “He’s gorgeous.” I pull the fork from the container and swirl around the noodles mixed with sweet and sour chicken.
    “You