Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Yes, sir. I’ll protect her. You have my word.”
My dad gave him a nod before pulling me into his arms. “Sen. I love you, sweetie. I wouldn’t let you go if I didn’t think you’d be safe.”
“Thanks Dad. I’ll be fine, I promise.” After I hugged my mom and Felicity, we hurried across the street to my car. I fumbled with the keys, and Stone took them from my hand.
“I’ll drive.”
I nodded and slipped into the passenger seat. My family watched as we drove away, and I sent them a wave before glancing at Stone. “Holy hell.”
Stone snorted. “Yeah. That was… unexpected.”
“The way my mom and Felicity threw themselves at you? Or the nearly-getting-killed part?”
He snorted. “The hugs were kind of nice. But… I don’t get it. Why are you a target? Is there something I’m missing?”
“I know. It doesn’t make any sense.” I swallowed, still shocked that I’d nearly died. What the freak? It couldn’t be real. Why would someone want to kill me?
The rest of the drive went by in a blur, and Stone pulled the car into the garage, shutting off the engine. I opened my car door, and Stone unlocked the door to the house and ushered me inside. I flipped on the kitchen lights and slipped off my jacket. “I need to sit down.”
“Let’s go in the living room.” Stone took off his jacket and draped it over the chair with mine. I flipped the light switch, turning on the lamps and filling the room with golden light. Stone pulled the drapes shut and came to sit beside me on the couch.
I turned to face him. “What do we do now? Maybe it was all a mistake, and they just thought I was you?”
“Babe… I hate to break it to you, but you look nothing like me.”
I huffed out a breath. “Fine. But why would someone want me dead?” I blinked, surprised that my eyes had filled with tears.
Stone reached for me, and I gladly fell into his arms. He held me firmly against his chest, and I took comfort in hearing his heart pound beneath my ear in a soothing rhythm. I breathed in his scent, and felt his strength surround me. Slowly, the tightness in my throat began to loosen.
“Thanks for saving me. I… couldn’t even move.”
His hold tightened and he kissed the top of my head. “Yeah. It shocked me, too. I’m glad I was right there, but try not to get almost killed again, okay?”
I huffed. “I’ll do my best.”
“Good. Because I’m pretty sure you’re the only person who would even consider saving my sorry ass.” He shook his head. “We’re quite the pair. But at least that makes us even now, right?”
I snorted. “No way. I’ve saved your life more than once, and I have wounds to prove it. You’re not even close.”
“Hmm… I suppose that’s true.” He shook his head. “I still don’t get it. Who would want you dead? And why? Do you think it’s because of me?”
“How could it be? The driver obviously knew I was at my sister’s house and waited for me to come out. Who would even know about that?”
“The only person I told was Vanetti, and we know he doesn’t want you dead.”
I closed my eyes. “So, the only person who’d do this is Brandon, but he’d get nothing if I died. I changed my will, so all my assets go to Felicity, whether I’m married to Brandon or not.”
“Does he know that?”
I shrugged. “Maybe not, but even then it’s hardly worth the risk. I mean… maybe if I had millions… but I don’t. So why would he do it?”
“Anger? Jealousy? Who knows?”
“I can’t believe it’s him, but I can’t think of anyone else.”
His lips twisted. “Have you done any other jobs where you’ve made an enemy or two?”
I tried not to laugh. “Hardly. I haven’t done that many jobs. So. No.” A car honked outside and I tensed. “Do you think we’re safe here?”
“Yes. Although I’d feel better if you had an alarm system. I’ll have to get one for you tomorrow. But we’re good for now.”
I shook my head. “I appreciate that, but alarm systems cost money, and I don’t have enough for one. Besides, you have to keep paying them monthly for it to do any good.”
“Babe. Let me do this for you. I’ll put it in my name and pay the fee. It’s the least I can do. Besides, I promised your Dad. You don’t want to make me a liar, do you?”
“No… but…” He put a finger over my lips, and I raised my eyes to his.
“Please, Sen. Let me do this.”
My heart squeezed. I didn’t know if it was the concern in his eyes, or the use of my nickname, but something shifted inside of me. My breath caught and sudden tears filled my eyes.