Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
She glances at me and I give her a nod. It’s done. It’s been done fifteen minutes ago according to the text Dexter sent me. “It was with Kasey. Now it’s not.”
“You buried him with the coin?”
“I didn’t know it was ‘the coin,’” she assures him. “It was just what he had in his pocket.”
“In other words,” I add, “Kasey was delivering an empty package or a package with a fake coin.”
Kurt glances at me and then Ana. “It’s almost like he had a death wish. You were never going to save him. Don’t let digging up that coin stir up guilt that is undeserved. No matter how we try to understand, we never will. It was his time. We all have that time and when mine really comes, I won’t be able to say I should have, or could have, done anything. Focus on you and making sure that’s true for you, too.” He glances. “Get us to New York. Let’s end this.” With that, he pushes to his feet and leaves the cockpit.
“He’s right,” she says, when the door to the cockpit shuts. “Let’s just go get this done and start our new life. It actually feels like that might really happen.”
“All right then,” I say, flipping a switch on the dash. “Let’s get the hell out of here, but for the record, you’re my person, too, Ana.” I wink, and call back to the cabin. “Sit your asses down and buckle up. I don’t like most of you so this will be a bumpy ride and no, I’m not sorry.”
Ana laughs and it’s a perfect song cutting through the darkness of the past year.
A few minutes later, it’s our plane cutting through the darkness of the night, but I keep the ride smooth. Because as much as we all want this to be over, I’d bet money that the bumpy ride isn’t over yet. There’s still a war ahead and we need our team ready to fight.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Luke
We land in New York City on a private airfield owned by Walker Security.
Blake is waiting when we deplane, with Royce, the oldest of the clan by his side. Both are tall, dark, and big, but Royce brings a side of rough and tough to the mix. A man of few words, and an abundance of attitude. Meanwhile, Blake is one big “fuck” machine.
“Fucking great to meet you, Ana,” he greets, shaking her hand. “Not fucking sure how I feel about you, Kurt,” he adds, eyeing him. “Which is exactly why you’re staying with Savage.”
Savage joins us and says, “I have my syringe ready and waiting, old man.”
“Chicken shit and his syringe,” Kurt grumbles. “I need to be close to Ana. I’ll stay with Luke.”
“Not happening,” I say. “Not until this is over and I know exactly where you stand.”
“I’ve told everyone where I stand,” he snaps.
“Show us,” Royce replies. “That’s the only reply that works.”
And there you have it. The reason I respect the Walker brothers. They’re honest men who are both warriors and friends. They also don’t bullshit. Kurt scowls but pulls his phone from his pocket and punches a button.
“I’m here,” he says whenever whoever he called answers. “All right. I’ll be there waiting.” He disconnects. “He’ll come to me. He got me a room at the Continental Hotel under the name Todd Moore.”
“And just that easily he took control,” I say. “I don’t like it.”
“Me either,” Ana replies, “but considering his track record I’m not surprised. At least it’s a public property. It’s feels safer than a private residence we can’t access as easily.”
At least, I think. And yet, I’m not comforted at all.
My gut is screaming like a stuck pig. Somehow, this is going to backfire. Exactly why I’m keeping Ana away from it. I catch her hand. Blake eyes me and seems to read my reaction. “I’ll get him to the hotel. Savage will stay with him.”
Savage grins at Kurt. Kurt is back to scowling.
As for me, I start walking, and take Ana with me.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Ana
Luke drags me toward a black SUV and I tug on his hand. “Wait. Luke.”
He doesn’t wait. He uses brute force to propel us both forward. “No waiting, baby. I have a gut feeling I don’t like.”
These are words I understand. We’ve had this conversation. A gut feeling is never ignored. It exists for a reason, but I’m struggling with the idea that if I leave Kurt here, I leave all semblance of control. But gut feelings win. I know this. I stop fighting him. I keep pace, and when we’re inside the back of the SUV, it’s Adam who slides into the driver’s seat.
“Home?” he asks.
Luke catches my leg and drags me close to him, staring down at me as he says, “Yes. Home.”
Everything inside me turns to mush. I’ve never even been to New York City, but yes, home. Because anywhere with Luke is home. I touch his face. He catches my hand, his touch warm as he kisses my hand. I melt for him right here in the backseat of an SUV.