Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
She hadn’t been there for the negotiations. Alec didn’t want her getting upset.
Tanner had been kept away too. Which was definitely for the best.
“Be safe,” she ordered him, hugging him tight.
She didn’t know where the other men were. They must have said goodbye to their loved ones already.
“I will.” He cupped her face between his hands. “I’ll be fine. We’ll all be there to watch over you. You will be safe. You will do what you’re told. And you will come back to me.”
She nodded, then kissed him, watching him walk out the back door.
“He’ll be okay.”
She glanced behind her to find West standing there, watching her with serious eyes. He wasn’t a happy, easygoing guy. But he had a confidence about him that eased the panic in her tummy.
“I know. Will everyone here be all right?” She didn’t think Stefan would come after them, but she couldn’t be entirely certain either.
Everyone had moved into the big house during the night with Victor’s men helping. Now all of the bedrooms were filled with people.
It was a tight squeeze, but under other circumstances, she might have found it fun. However, no one was in a cheerful mood.
“They will be,” West told her firmly. “Beau, Jaret, and Victor are here. Victor’s men will patrol the Ranch. Oh, and Linc’s here, too.”
She could see that filled him with enthusiasm. None of the Malone men seemed to like the way Linc looked at Ryleigh.
“Go get ready,” West said gruffly. “Let’s get this over with.”
With a nod, she moved upstairs.
After getting dressed, she went downstairs to meet Alec and West. Ryleigh and Opal were there as well. Ryleigh threw herself into Lilac’s arms. “Are you sure it shouldn’t be me going? I feel like it should be. Why you?”
“It’s always been me. In Stefan’s twisted mind, I’m his. I’ll be okay, Ryleigh.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“Promise.” She hugged Opal next.
The other woman held onto her fiercely. “I’ll look after her. But you make sure you come back. Understand?”
“I will.” She glanced over at where West and Alec were hugging Flick and Mia.
Victor stood off to one side, watching over them. Alec spoke to him briefly and Victor nodded.
They climbed into a car she hadn’t seen before. The windows were tinted. West was driving. She and Alec got in the backseat.
“You’re good with what is happening?” Alec asked.
“Yep. I’ve got it all.”
“You stay next to me or West at all times. We lure him out to where Tanner has a shot.”
That part made her feel ill. But she had this.
“What the fuck?” West grumbled. “Alec, we’ve got a tail.”
“What?” Alec turned. “Fuck! I need to call Victor.”
“Shit! He’s coming up fast! I can’t outrun him.”
Panic flooded her as she turned right as the car behind them smashed into the back of them. She screamed but West held the car steady.
Oh God!
She should have known that Stefan would have a plan. That he’d know they were up to something.
Tanner! He was going to be so upset if something happened to them.
Suddenly, a car pulled out from a side road, crashing into the front of them and sending their car spinning.
The last thing she remembered was a loud screeching, yelling, pain.
Then nothing.
Lilac woke up with a groan. Where was she?
“Hello, sister.”
She stared up into Stefan’s face. He looked cold. Emotionless.
This wasn’t good.
But how did he get her? What happened? Why did her body ache?
Then it came back to her. Driving in the car with West and Alec. Someone tailing them. The crash. Then nothing.
“You crashed into us?” She sat up even though her entire body screamed in pain. As she took stock, she could tell she wasn’t severely injured.
Well, not unless the shock was disguising the pain of an internal injury.
Numbness filled her as she stared out the window of the car they were in. Where were they?
Oh God.
“I had my men stop the car you were in, yes,” he replied.
“West and Alec! What did you do?” Were they all right? Fuck. This is what she’d been trying to avoid . . . anyone else getting harmed.
“Why do you care?” he asked in a soft voice.
Immediately, dread rushed through her. This was Stefan at his most dangerous.
It was like he was trying to lure you into his web with false promises before he bit off your head.
Gruesome? Yes.
Accurate? Also, yes.
She swallowed. “I don’t care about them. But if you kill them, it’s going to leave things messy. The people of this town won’t rest until they find you, including the sheriff.”
He made a scoffing noise. “As if I care about a few hillbillies and an idiot sheriff.” His gaze narrowed. “You’ve gotten some attitude while you’ve been gone. You’ve forgotten that you’re not allowed to lie to me.”
Oh God.
Danger. Danger.
“Believe me, I haven’t forgotten anything.”
Reaching out, he grabbed her by the front of her throat. “You ran from me, Lilac. From. Me. I own you. You do not get to run from me. And then I find you with other men.”