Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“I—I’m interested. I’m very interested. Definitely,” I laughed, surprised and happy. “I was so scared that you were firing me or you were making me choose one of you. Which I could never do. It’s—it’s all or nothing for me, I guess,” I gave a nervous laugh.
We all started talking at once and Drew opened a bottle of champagne from somewhere. He poured it into glasses, fizzing and overflowing the narrow flutes. We toasted and Jake grumbled.
“Somebody’s got to be the responsible one around here and run the business,” he muttered, but he was grinning. We drank a toast to him and settled down to share the lavish meal.
I was excited and had so many questions. Within minutes I’d found out that they were all on board with the idea, that there was no jealousy among them, and that they wanted me to feel safe and satisfied and pleasured. Their goal was a great experience for us all.
“I want to spell this out, even though it’s not fun to bring up,” Jake said, “We’re together, right. So none of us sees anyone else, we’re—I guess I can’t say monogamous, we’re exclusive.”
I nodded. “Do you really think with my pick of Burns brothers every night that I’m going to even look twice at anyone else?”
“Good, ‘cause we’re all in, Jas. We want you and only you. Nobody else. We take this seriously. You mean a lot to us. We’re not going to treat you badly or let you get hurt. It’s all too special to risk it,” Drew said.
I nodded, unable to find words to say.
Most girls couldn’t find one guy like them. I found four of my very own.
15
JAKE
We’d managed two new hires which would help with scheduling and the workload at the firm. You’d think I’d be a little less tense now that was taken care of. But no. Between needing another two employees to add to our roster and the situation with Jasmine’s ex, I was on edge.
All our software was up to date, and I’d fixed a security patch in our motion sensor camera system that morning. I’d taken Jasmine outside to practice aiming with the new pepper gel I got her. It was only illegal in twenty-six states. The fact that Virginia was one of them and the District of Columbia wouldn’t even let law enforcement carry it didn’t concern me.
It was the strongest one with proven results and an indelible dye to tag the perp. She could flick the safety tab and spray it smoothly and quickly, at a distance or close range and knew to duck her head and spray over her shoulder if the assailant was behind her.
When she balked at being taught how to shoot to kill, I told her that she needed to take the situation seriously.
“If you don’t think I know how bad this is, let me be the first to inform you, I’ve been strangled by this man until a blood vessel in my eye burst. I know what it feels like to know in my bones that I’m defeated and the last thing I’ll see this side of hell is those cold eyes that don’t even see me as human. I’m garbage to him. I have to be punished for daring to go against him, to argue or talk back or leave. It’s what I deserve and he’s just meting out justice, Jake. I know exactly how bad this is. Ever since I saw his name on the screen as an applicant I’ve felt it, like my blood congealed and it’s this viscous sludge in my body now, just waiting to spill out on the floor in a too-big pool once he gets a hold of me. So don’t you ever think for one second that I’m not taking this seriously.”
She’d been trembling by the time she quit talking. She bit her thumbnail and turned away. I wanted to fold her in my arms and promise her I’d keep her safe no matter what. A rush of compassion tangled up with my practical experience in security. I had to go get a drink of water and offered her one as well. “I’m sorry to have to quiz you about this, and I understand how hard it is to talk about. But any detail you can give us about his habits and interests will help us track him. This is the part where you’re the best weapon against him, because you have the knowledge that arms us. I hate to ask it of you, Jas.”
“You can ask me anything. Just, could we go in your office? It feels weird to talk about this out in the open where anyone can walk in.” She heaved a sigh, shoulders slumping. I nodded and touched her back as she preceded me into my office.