Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
“That was Ethan.” I flashed my intruder a smile that was meant to reassure him. “You should’ve believed me when I told you that you’d like him. He just stopped by to check in on me.”
Since I hadn’t said a word about my research partner to my brother, he understood that I was just trying to keep Ethan calm.
“Good job, sis. You won’t be on your own with him much longer. I’m sending someone.”
The line went silent except for the faint sound of his breathing. Every second stretched long enough to feel like a lifetime.
Then I heard a familiar sound outside—the low, unmistakable roar of a motorcycle engine cutting through the night.
Ethan didn’t seem to notice. But I did.
And for the first time since opening that door, I let myself believe I might actually be safe.
The faint growl of the motorcycle grew louder, giving me the strength to issue one more warning.
“Ethan.” I forced my voice not to shake. “You really should go.”
“Why?” His eyes narrowed. “Is that even your brother on the phone? Or is it him?”
“Him who?” Jaxton asked in my ear, his tone suddenly suspicious in a way that only a big brother could pull off.
“Relax, big brother. The only guys I’ve talked to since you left for your honeymoon are Ethan and your club brothers.”
What I left unsaid was that I’d done a whole lot more than talk with Chance.
10
DRIFT
Iparked half in the grass, killed the engine, and swung off my Harley before the kickstand even hit the ground. I could hear the faint hum of her building’s security lights, and the soft thud of distant waves from the coast. Everything else was quiet.
As I stalked toward her apartment, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
My stride didn’t slow, but I doubled blinked in surprise when I saw that it was from Jax.
Jax
Get your ass to Alanna’s. Now. 9-1-1
Perfect fucking timing since I was already there. But I just sent back a “got it” and turned my focus back to the situation.
As I ran up the stairs, my boots hit hard enough to echo in the hallway, the metal railing rattling under my grip as I took the steps two at a time. When I reached the second floor, my pulse was a slow, steady hammer behind my ribs.
I didn’t knock. Didn’t even pause. One sharp kick, and the door flew open, slamming into the wall.
Alanna gasped from across the room, and Ethan turned, face pale, his hand hovering in midair where he’d been reaching for her.
“Get. The fuck. Out.” My voice was low. Even. Deadly.
He froze like a deer in headlights, his eyes flicking from me to the swinging front door, then to Alanna. His mouth opened, and he tried to puff himself up. “You-you can’t just break in here—”
As I walked forward, my pace was slow and deliberate, and the air changed. He felt it. Everyone did whenever I was in this state. It was a warning that shit was about to go sideways.
“You don’t want to know what’ll happen if you touch her again,” I growled, my knuckles cracking as I curled my hands into tight fists.
Whatever color he had left drained from his face. He stumbled back, knocking over a chair, his keys clattering to the floor.
For a second, he looked like he wanted to say something—to prove he wasn’t terrified—but the words died before they made it past his lips.
It was a good fucking choice because the silent calm radiating from me was an indication that his life expectancy was dropping. Fast.
He shot Alanna a look full of anger, and something darker, before he bolted.
I slammed the door closed behind him, but it was hanging at an angle from my well-placed kick. So I had to straighten it before it would shut properly. Then I stood there, staring at it as I tried to push the monster back down inside me. I didn’t want Alanna to see the lethal creature lurking beneath the surface, the one who had literally torn men apart. The red in my ledger was always in the name of justice, but would she understand that? Our code of honor was usually seen as being on the wrong side of the law by outsiders.
At that moment, my worst nightmare was that I would face her and see fear on Alanna’s face. I didn’t ever want her to be scared of me.
Finally, when I felt in control, I turned around.
Alanna was shaking. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her hands were trembling. She stared at me with wide eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. I took one step forward, and she did the same. Then another. And another. Until we were only a foot apart. After a beat, I reached for her without thinking, my fingers brushing her wrist before closing around her hand.