Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
The tremble in her body is clear as she nods. I bet she hadn’t even thought about Varon coming after her, but if he’s the type looking for retaliation, the man will somehow link her to everything that has gone down. I don’t know what Angel did to tip him off or if the man is just prone to violent outbursts that leaves women and children in need of medical care, but any man who can hit a child and abduct women is capable of seeking revenge, whether it’s warranted or not.
Her eyes find mine, and I don’t know what she’s searching for, but if she opens her mouth to tell Kincaid that she doesn’t think I can keep her safe, it will cut me off at the knees.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask, cupping her cheek when her bottom lip begins to tremble.
She nods, leaning a little into my hand.
I turn her when she tries to head toward the front door, moving her in the direction of my room.
“I’m not staying here with you,” she says, frozen in front of my bedroom door.
“I wouldn’t even presume to ask,” I tell her as I slide past her and flip the light on.
I pull a duffel bag from my closet and load it with clothes and some of my favorite defense items.
“Do you really need all that stuff?” she asks, the weight of her body pressing against the doorframe.
“Would rather have too much than not enough,” I tell her as I zip the bag and walk closer. “You’d be safer here.”
She shakes her head, and I vow to never press the issue again.
“Ready?”
She nods her head, turning around and heading back toward the front of the clubhouse.
I’m an asshole for hoping she stumbles a little on the way to her car because it will give me a reason to sweep her up into my arms, draw her close to my chest, and bury my nose into her neck.
She pauses near the front door as Faith walks toward her. No words are spoken as they hug, and when Faith steps back, she doesn’t question what’s going on. The woman nods in my direction, approval in her eyes as I leave the building with her best friend.
It hits me in a way I never thought I could feel as I open the passenger side door for Sylvie. I’m a trusting man. People trust me all the time—my team, my bosses, the military. I’ve spent years building that reputation but being trusted to protect this woman somehow hits a little differently.
I rush around the vehicle, unwilling to spend more than a few seconds away from her. I don’t even bitch and complain when I have to spend the next full minute adjusting the seat so I don’t get a fucking leg cramp on the drive back to her house.
The SUV parked behind me flashes it lights, whomever is inside telling me they’re ready to follow me to her place.
I didn’t even have to have a conversation to understand it. I can’t leave Sylvie in the car while I check her place because it would be as unsafe as having her stand behind me while I do it myself. My teammate will head out ahead of us and check her house, finishing up about the time we arrive.
“How long will you stay at my house?” She asks the question, but her eyes are already closed as we pull out of the clubhouse parking lot.
“Until Will is caught,” I answer.
“That could take forever,” she says and I can’t tell which direction she’s wanting to go with the thought of me being in her personal space for an extended amount of time.
“There are a lot of people looking for him. It shouldn’t take long.”
“That’s a shame,” she mutters, her voice sounding distant and sleepy.
I bite the corner of my lip to keep from smiling, but then I put all of my focus on getting us back to her house safely.
Chapter 25
Sylvie
I’m not exactly versed in the signs of shock. I’ve always been one to be aware of my surroundings, but as Spade helps me out of the vehicle in front of my home, nothing seems real. It’s more than just the alcohol I consumed tonight that’s making me feel like my feet aren’t even touching the ground. I hate the feeling, but at the same time, I’m not able to shove it away. It’s as if I'm living in an alternate reality.
I’m both numb and somehow rife with shame as he takes my keys and unlocks my front door.
He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel the accusations rolling off him, and I’m in no position to be mad about the way he’s feeling. I didn’t listen to him about Will. I didn’t open my mouth and question that little girl being in his home or the way Greta couldn’t make eye contact with her boss.