Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“There had to be someone with power helping him. There was no way he was working alone. The guy was barely an adult,” my father says.
“I recognized one of the guys,” I add. Everyone turns to me with wide eyes.
“Who was it, baby?” Miles asks me, rubbing my back.
“I don’t remember his name, but he was at the hotel one time when I was there.”
“Does he work for us?” My father asks through clenched teeth. I could see the anger rolling off him, but thankfully the man didn’t work for us. At least that man didn’t.
“No, he was visiting you, and you two didn’t agree. He gave me strange vibes and eyed me like a creep.”
“Was he a Santos?”
“No. I know Mr. Santos from his son.” Miles growls next to me. He drags me to his side, taking me from my father as if he has to maintain possession of me. I can’t say I complain.
“Whatever, Miles. I went to school with Johnny so I’ve seen his father for years, but now that I think about it, this guy was at the school functions once or twice over the years.”
“Let me know if you recognize any of these guys.”
“I heard his voice too,” I add. I close my eyes and let the memory return. “He told me no one was going to come help me.”
“Sweetie, look at this and let me know if it’s one of these assholes.” My father hands me his phone, and I see a photo with a group of men that were sitting around Miles’ dining room table. My eyebrows raise, and then I look at him as if he betrayed me.
“We had a meeting where I warned them to stay away from you.”
“When was this?” I need to know when these people were in my new home.
“Before I went into surgery. Any sign of weakness to these men makes them want to strike at me.” That’s when Miles became like a second skin, always around, stalking me. Was he really just playing as a love interest to keep them at bay? “Sweetie, you were their interest, so I had Miles warn them off.” There’s a lump in my throat. My heart doesn’t believe it. Still. I have to be sure.
“Is that why?” He presses a hand to my mouth.
Swiftly, I find my body flush to his with his gaze fixed on mine. “No, baby, don’t do that. You know it’s not true. The second they mentioned you, I nearly jumped over the table to clock them, giving away my feelings, and I knew damn well I was risking a lot.” I nod, feeling his growing desire against my body again.
My uncle coughs beside us. “Um…any of them look like the guy?”
Miles releases me, and I look at the image again. “Yes, it’s him.”
“The bastard was wrong because we were always coming for you. Now he’s going to pay,” Milo says.
They shake their heads. “I can’t believe Novak thought he was slick,” my father says.
“The fool should have kept his mouth shut, and we wouldn’t have been onto him so quickly. Now, it’s time to get his ass.” Miles clamps his lips shut as he seethes with rage.
Minutes later the vehicles pull up and it’s Miles security with five SUVs. “Time go home,” Miles says. We load up, and I sit beside my fiancé. They are making plans as I rest my head on Miles’s chest, but I listen in.
“We’re going fly you and your mother out to the Steeleville compound, and then you’re staying put until we deal with our problem.” Honestly, that sounds great. As tough as I am, I’ve had enough.
I jolt up and ask, “What about Mistress?”
“Mistress?” Wrench asks.
“Our dog,” I answer.
“She’s coming with. Don’t worry, Princess. I wouldn’t leave our baby without her mama.” Miles kisses my forehead. “Now, we need to get moving before we draw any attention.” The vehicles finally started moving and the first crunch of the leaves drew my attention to where I was kept prisoner.
We move fast past the small metal shack into the middle of the woods. When I look back, I can’t believe he’d taken me so far away from home. I stare at the ground all around me. My body could have been lost to the earth below me. I would be part of the foliage, permanently buried if they didn’t find me. I don’t grasp that I’m crying until my face is wet. “Princess, what is it?”
“The reality…I just…” Miles tightens his arms around me, and the warmth takes away the sadness. I need him, but I understand that he needs to protect me and our future which means he has business to deal with. I sigh and close my eyes, resting on him again.
“Rest. We can talk about it when you’re ready, but know this. We wouldn’t have given up, Elsa. None of us.” He kisses my temple and my soul doesn’t ache as painfully as it did a moment ago.