Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I release her and slap her ass. “Let’s go.” I don’t wait and climb out of bed.
“So bossy,” she says, following me into the bathroom.
That’s my girl.
***
I’m writing out an email from Craig to keep him updated while Mindy finishes getting ready. Things have been quiet, and it puts me on edge. Someone who makes such an effort to gain a person’s attention doesn’t stay quiet. They haunt. They stalk. And they leave trails.
Mindy’s finally starting to relax, convinced this guy is in the wind. And she trusts me. Something I value. If she didn’t, it would be harder to protect her. If shit goes down, I need to know she’ll listen and follow my instruction. Every second counts. I know that too well from my time in Iraq.
I finish typing my report when Mindy’s phone dings on the coffee table. I know it’s none of my business but use the excuse that it’s for her protection when I read the text.
Vince: I had a great time last night. Hope you got some sleep. Maybe a movie tonight?
Fucking douche. I go to delete it but hear the blow dryer shut off and stop myself. Shortly after, Mindy walks down the stairs.
“If we hurry, we can—”
My head snaps toward the door when a hardy knock sounds. Anyone entering the penthouse has to get clearance first, and I sure as fuck didn’t receive a call. “Go back upstairs.” Surprisingly, she listens.
Gun in hand, I prowl to the door. “Who is it?” I call out, looking through the peephole. Theo’s voice comes from the other side, and I slide my gun back into my waistband. “A little heads up would have been nice,” I say, opening the door. My eyes fall to the red rose in his hand. “What the fuck is that?”
Theo’s brows are drawn tight. “Same question I had for you. It was in front of the door. I spoke to the officer on duty. He said he’d inform you I was coming up. Didn’t he—?”
My skin prickles with unease. Mindy walks down the stairs. “Can I come down—?”
“No. Go upstairs and lock yourself in the room. Don’t come out unless it’s me at that door.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Just do it,” I bark out, turning to Theo. “Call the police.” The snick of the stairwell door grabs my attention. Theo jumps on his phone while I book it to the stairwell. I throw the door open and race down, taking the stairs two at a time. “Stop!” I call out at feet slapping against concrete. I reach the first floor and rush to the parking garage. Aiming my gun, I scan the lot, my eyes catching on the slashed tires of my SUV. Red snags my attention, and I race over, following the trail to a body covered in red roses. The officer on duty. I kneel, placing two fingers against his neck, searching for his pulse. Fuck.
My phone rings, and I answer Theo’s call. “What’s going on?”
“I’m in the parking garage. I have an officer down. He needs medical help immediately. This mother fucker’s gotta still be in here. Tell the cops to not let anyone out of the parking garage.” I hang up and stand, surveying the area. He could still be here. I run through the rows. After fifteen minutes, I’m met by two officers. “Tate Deveraux. I’m on protective detail for a client staying at the hotel. I need you two to scour the south entrance. He may still be here.” The two officers take off, but after another chunk of time, they return, coming to the same conclusion. That fucker got away. A medic arrives, and I direct them to the body and retreat up the stairs. I need to get back to Mindy.
When I hit the penthouse, it’s filled with cops.
“Tate!” Mindy rushes out, lunging herself at me. I pick her up, cupping her ass, and pull her to me. “Oh my god, I was so worried.”
I press my lips to her head. “Relax, babe.”
She pulls back, her eyes wild. “Don’t tell me to relax. You ran after him. He could have shot you! That was dangerous!”
I can’t help but snicker at her cute concern. “Babe, it’s my job.”
“Well, don’t do that again.”
“Sure thing.” I let her legs drop and press a quick kiss to her lips. “Go upstairs and pack your things.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” I release Mindy at the sound of Detective Rochel’s voice and turn, catching a nasty glare from Theo. Fuck.
“You wanna explain that to me?” Theo asks.
“Not particularly.”
“I think you better—”
“Gentlemen.”
I turn to Rochel. “Tell me you got him.” The look on his face says all I need to hear. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Security cameras were tampered with. Again.”
“The entire fucking hotel?”
He shakes his head. “It’s clear we’re up against more than a low-life felon.”