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)
He huffed out a breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Shit.” He shook his head. “It makes sense, but I’m having a hard time believing it.” His mouth twisted as he met my gaze. “She… well, she said she was in love with me. If that’s true, then why would she want me dead?”
I raised an eyebrow. Really? “You should call her back.”
“And say what?”
“Tell her you’ve been busy and you’re sorry you didn’t get back to her sooner. Maybe you could tell her you found her earrings, and you’d be happy to drop them by her place. If she’s in on it, she’ll jump at the chance. Either way, I can touch her and find out.”
His lips turned down. “If you’re right, this changes everything.” After letting out a breath, he nodded. “Fine. I’ll call her and put it on speaker, so you can hear what she says.”
I nodded just as the phone clicked and she picked up. “Nate? Is that you? I’ve been so worried. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry I didn’t call you back. I forgot.”
She sucked in a breath. “Oh, sure. I get it, but last time we spoke, it sounded like something terrible was going on. You must have dropped your phone. So what was it? What happened?”
“Oh… that. It wasn’t a big deal. I accidentally knocked a painting off my wall, and the glass broke. I was looking for your earrings when it happened.”
“Really? That’s all it was? It sounded worse.”
“Yeah, but I found your earrings. Want me to drop them by your place later?”
She gasped. “You did?”
“Yup.”
“Okay… you can come over. Um… let me check my schedule for the best time, and I’ll call you back.”
“Sure. Talk to you then.” Stone disconnected and met my gaze. “Well, she definitely sounded a little nervous. You might be right.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And if she’s in on it, that means she knows Johnny. But how?”
“Good question. I know that the darkness and anger I picked up in the building where he took the shot was from Johnny. So whatever he’s got going with Aubree, it’s benefiting him, not her. He’s got to be the one behind it.”
“And if you touch her, we can find out for sure. Then we can use her to get to him.”
“As long as she doesn’t tell him we’re coming. Maybe we should surprise her? Show up at her work or something? That way she can’t set a trap for you.”
Nate let out a breath. “That’s a good idea. But she’s a real estate agent, so her office hours aren’t set. I guess we could still stop by and see if we get lucky?”
I sent him a grin. “Well, that is your nickname, so it’s worth a try.”
“I definitely got lucky with you.” He laced his fingers with mine. “But I’m a little worried.”
He began kissing each of my knuckles, sending a shiver down my spine and warmth through my heart. “About what?”
“The part where I’m lucky… the lucky one. It means I always get out alive, but no-one else does. It puts you in danger, and I don’t want to lose you.”
“But I’m different.” I pulled his hand toward my lips and kissed his knuckles. “I’m a psychic.”
My phone began to ring, and I sighed. “Guess I’d better get that.” I found my phone and quickly answered. “Hi Mom.”
“Hey. I just wanted to call and see how you’re doing.”
“Everything’s good.”
“Is Nate there?”
I glanced his way. “Yes, he is.” She didn’t say anything. “Uh… why?”
“Can I talk to him?”
“What? No. I mean, you can just talk to me.”
She huffed out a breath. “Just let me talk to him for a minute. I promise I won’t embarrass you.”
“Mom. You already are.”
“Please, Serenity. Let me talk to him.”
I huffed out a breath and glanced at Stone. “She wants to talk to you.”
His brows rose, but he held out his hand for the phone. “Hey, Kristin. What’s up?” He listened and began to nod. “Yes. I can put it in today… no, that’s not necessary. I’ve got it covered… no… I don’t need you to pay for it.” Another pause. “Yes, I’m sure… okay… yes… I’ll make sure she’s safe… right… okay, here she is…” He handed the phone back to me with a cocky grin on his face.
“Hey, Mom. Have a nice chat?”
“Yes. Is he… uh… sticking around for a while?”
“As far as I know.”
“So… things are going okay?”
“Well, I haven’t scared him off yet, if that’s what you mean.”
She huffed. “I’m just worried about you. Someone nearly ran you over last night. Did you forget?”
Since that was right before the best thing that ever happened to me, I had actually forgotten all about it. “Of course not. Nate and I are working on that right now. You don’t need to worry.”