Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
He slides his arms beneath her, lifting her with a tenderness that momentarily softens my anger.
We maneuver as a unit, a fragile alliance forged by necessity. Monty escorts us out, holding my entire world against his bare chest.
Leo and I follow, our eyes never leaving her. I watch Monty’s every move, ready to break his teeth if he causes her more distress.
The maze of hallways, excessive living spaces, and outdoor trails took a couple of days to memorize, but I know the layout of the property now. The next turn leads to the front entrance and…
A hint of cigarette smoke. The creak of wood flooring. Footsteps so light they aren’t meant to be heard.
I grab Monty’s elbow, silently halting him. His eyes dart to mine, and I hold a finger to my lips.
Leo, already sensing my alarm, stalks ahead and creeps around the corner.
The instant his hands relax, I do, too.
“What do you want?” he asks whomever lurks out of view.
“I’m looking for Mr. Novak.”
“You have an update, Carl?” Monty remains beside me, not showing himself.
Given the stab wound on his neck, it’s a smart move.
“Yes.” Carl clears his throat. “All media personnel and visitors have been escorted off the premises, and the island is now secure. We have completed a thorough sweep of the area and will maintain a vigilant presence throughout the evening. You can rest assured that there will be no further disturbances tonight.”
Frankie stirs in Monty’s arms, a soft whimper escaping her lips.
My protective instincts flare immediately, and I place a hand on her thigh.
“Thank you.” Monty dismisses the guard, tucking her closer.
As the sound of the front door shuts behind the guard, she looks around, disoriented and confused.
The clarity in her eyes isn’t there yet. She’s still fuzzy, trying to piece together where she is. I’ve been in her position. It’s a terrible feeling.
“What happened?” She doesn’t notice Monty’s bleeding wound, her focus too scattered to catch details.
My heart aches for her, and I know we need to be gentle.
“You had a panic attack. But you’re safe now. We’re all here.” I meet Monty’s eyes and shape my lips around a command. Couch.
She blinks, trying to absorb the information. Her lips tighten, and her hands shake as she grips his shoulders. The fear hasn’t fully dissipated.
When we reach the living room and she sees the couch, her body tenses.
“No…not the couch.” A sharp, panicked cry cleaves from her chest. “Not the couch.”
The fucking couch in Denver’s video. It needs to be set on fire.
“Okay, okay.” Monty turns away and steps in front of me to catch my attention. “It’s dark outside.”
He thrusts his chin at the nearby window.
Carrying her to the guest house after nightfall could trigger another panic attack, as it might remind her of the night she was abducted.
I exchange a quick glance with Leo. The distrust we feel for Monty is mutual, but right now, she needs safety and rest.
“Plenty of beds upstairs.” Leo veers toward the staircase, motioning for us to follow.
As we ascend to the second floor, I stick to Monty’s side to stay in her line of sight.
“I don’t remember…I don’t remember anything.” Her eyes dart around, trying to anchor herself to the present.
“It’s okay.” I lean in, softening my tone despite the frustration boiling underneath. “You don’t need to remember right now. Just focus on me.”
“Where are we?”
“You’re home.” Monty adjusts his hold on her and follows Leo into the first room. “You’re in the guest bedroom.” He sets her on the bed and brushes the hair from her face, taking too many goddamn liberties with his hands. “You’re safe. Just try to relax.”
I recognize the effort it takes for her to calm down, her breathing still uneven. It tears at me, especially since he’s in the damn way, hovering over her.
His presence is a necessary evil since I can’t kick him out of his own house.
“We’re here for you, Frankie.” I push down the resentment, keeping my voice soft. “Just take it easy. We’ve got you.”
Her gaze finally meets mine, and I see the gentle easing of recognition and relief. It’s a small comfort, but I’ll take it. We’ve been through hell and back, and we’ll keep fighting, no matter what it takes.
Slowly, she relaxes as she takes in her surroundings. But when her eyes drift back to Monty, she gasps. “Monty! You’re hurt!”
“It’s nothing.” The pain he’s ignored now pulses with renewed intensity, trickling fresh blood and twitching his eyes.
“That’s not nothing.” She reaches for him, gaining strength. “It’s a deep cut. What happened?”
He grimaces and looks to us for help.
We can’t lie to her. At the same time, we want to protect her from the truth.
“That’s a stab wound.” She climbs to her knees and positions him to sit beside her as she examines the injury. “Who did this?”