Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 70097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
My heartbeat accelerated again. “Is… is that what you want? Do you want me to leave?”
“No. I want you to stay. I need you here. I love you.”
He kissed me, and the world spun faster and faster, but this time it was a thrilling ride, not a whirlwind ready to toss me to my death.
When Grant pulled back, I cupped his face. “You know I love you too, right?”
“That’s what you said to me, isn’t it? In there with Trey?”
I nodded. “I wanted you to know in case… in case you were trying to sacrifice yourself and one of us didn’t make it.”
“No way in hell was I going to let that fucking bastard kill you. Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?”
“Maybe. I’m so glad I found you.”
“Me too.” He hugged me to him, and I finally let myself hope this really could be permanent, that Paradise Ranch really might be home.
“We need to check on Rogue, and Trey said he had men going after Ghost.”
“I’ll relay the message, but I’m not worried. They won’t catch him. Can you walk?”
I started to respond, but he shook his head. “Never mind.”
He picked me up and carried me down the stairs like I was a princess.
“Oh fuck. Is Jacob okay?” Rogue’s voice sounded far too weak.
Grant glared at TJ. “You said my brother was fine.”
“He is. He’s got a hell of a lump on his head, but his eyes track, he can focus, and he doesn’t seem to have any memory loss,” Rhys said. He was seated on the floor by the couch where Rogue was now lying.
“I’m so sorry, Rogue.”
“It’s not your fault.” He said the words slowly, but the smile he gave Jacob was completely normal.
Grant turned back to Rhys. “Is everything okay in the barn?”
“Perfectly fine.”
“What happened in the barn?” I asked.
“Nothing bad. Don’t worry about it.” Grant’s answer was too hurried to be truthful, but I would ask him again later.
Rhys frowned at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I looked up at Grant. “Put me down. I promise I can walk.”
I moved closer to Rogue. “What happened here?” I pointed to the bloody bandage wrapped around his arm.
Rhys answered before Rogue could. “We think he cut himself as he fell.”
I was so damn thankful Trey hadn’t shot him—surprised but thankful.
“You need to see a doctor.”
“I offered to stitch him up,” TJ said.
Rhys scoffed. “I thought you were the one who sliced people up, not the one who repaired them.”
“It just so happens I can do both.”
“He needs a real doctor,” Grant said. “Since there’s no gunshot, there’s no reason not to take him to the ER.”
Rhys stood. “I’ll pull my truck around.”
“Didn’t know you cared so much.” Rogue smiled up at Grant who knelt beside him and laid his hand over Rogue’s. “I would do anything to keep you safe. I love you, Ri.”
“Love you too, asshole.”
After we’d gotten Rogue settled in Rhys’s truck, Grant turned to TJ. “Where did you stash the body?”
“Out back. I thought it would be better if Jacob didn’t see him again.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“Go on out there.” TJ waved us off. “I’ll finish the job. This work is nothing to me.”
“Out where? What is he talking about?” Jacob asked.
“Come to the barn with me, and I’ll show you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I thought you said nothing was wrong.”
“It’s not. I swear. If it was, I wouldn’t be asking you to come.”
“You also wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“True.”
“Even though I’m safe now.”
Grant pulled me against his side. “Maybe I don’t want to leave you alone when I can bring you with me.”
“I might get really used to that.” I took his hand and let him guide me out the door.
31
GRANT
My heart hammered against my chest as we reached the barn. Before opening the door, I turned to Jacob. “Close your eyes and let me guide you inside.”
“What’s going on?”
“I told you. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
He frowned but did what I said. I moved behind him and put my hands on his waist to guide him into the barn.
“Is this just an excuse to touch me? Because you don’t need one.”
His words made my dick perk up. I was desperate to fuck him again, to prove we were both alive. I longed to show him just how desperate I was to make him mine now that he’d freely chosen to stay.
I brought him to the stall where we’d put Daisy. “Stand right there.”
“You’re not about to prank me, are you?”
“Jacob, after what you’ve been through today, do you really think I’d do that?”
“No.”
“Good.” I lured the sweet mare forward with a carrot. Once she had her head over the stall door, I said, “You can open your eyes now.”
Jacob sucked in his breath when he did. “Oh my God. She—he?—is beautiful.”