Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“Does she have a name?” Shawn asked when he noticed me. “This woman who’s chosen to date the less attractive and successful version of me?”
I knew I was supposed to pick a fake name, but my mind was utterly blank.
“Uh . . .”
“Just call her L,” Jason said.
Shawn’s eyebrows pulled together. “Elle?”
“Like the letter.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Shawn,” I said, my focus going to Jason. “What is it that makes people act differently around you when they know?”
He took an enormous breath and held it for so long, I was convinced he wasn’t going to answer.
“Can I tell her?” Shawn asked, earning him a second glare.
“The reason I thought Shawn wouldn’t be here,” Jason said slowly, as if stalling, “is because he lives in Munich.”
Was that supposed to be enough information? “Okay. Why does he live in Munich?”
“Munich is where the world headquarters are.” He looked conflicted. “Our mother’s maiden name is Osterhägen.”
It didn’t register.
He turned to his brother. “She said the beer tastes like swill.”
Shawn looked insulted but quickly brushed it off. “It doesn’t taste as good from the North American breweries. Something to do with the pasteurization process.”
Oh. My. God.
Osterhägen beer, as in the one the theater had on tap for purchase during intermission.
It meant Jason’s family was extremely wealthy. But if that were true . . .
“I wasn’t meant to be stuck behind a desk,” Jason explained and gestured to his brother. “He loves it, but it’s not for me, and occasionally I get to shoot someone.”
“What?” I asked.
His expression was fixed. “That was going to be your question, right? Why am I a marshal if my family’s loaded?”
I bristled. “I don’t think I would’ve said it like that.”
It was uncomfortable under his gaze, like he was waiting for me to dramatically change before his eyes. But this information didn’t change anything. Frey was still after me, and my life was in shambles. The fact that he came from money was irrelevant.
“I’m not sure what you’re expecting me to say.” My tone was pointed. “That doesn’t change how I . . . It doesn’t change the situation.”
“That wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be,” Shawn said. “Maybe we should go into the kitchen, make breakfast, and talk about something else.”
Jason nodded. “Get started without us.”
Shawn’s face twisted into a look that said he didn’t take orders from anyone. But he must have decided to let it slide and was out of sight a moment later.
Even with his brother gone, the atmosphere in the room was still tense and Jason’s posture was awkward.
“You’re right,” he said. “It doesn’t change your situation.” He placed his hands on his hips. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it’s not something I like to talk about, and we’re not supposed to share personal information with a witness. It’s easier to transition into the program that way, for both sides. Neither of us is supposed to develop personal attachments.”
The absurdity of his statement made a ridiculous laugh burst from me. “Okay, I’ll try my best not to.”
“Yeah, that ship has sailed,” he said, grim.
“Is it safe with Shawn here?”
“As long as we’re not crushed by his enormous ego.” He glanced down the hall. “I’ll go grab a shirt. Don’t go in there without me.”
“You just said—”
“His second wife was an American. He’s got a thing for American women, and I suspect blondes, too.”
I thought he was joking, but he looked entirely serious right before he turned and started down the hall. My focus zeroed in on the ugly, purple knot on his skin.
“What is it?” he asked, concerned when he heard my sharp intake of breath.
“Your back looks awful.” I set a gentle hand on his shoulder blade, a few inches away from the wound. “How bad did it hurt when it happened?”
“I don’t remember.” There was no emotion in his voice.
“Because it knocked you out?”
“No.” He struggled to find the answer. “Because that was when he was dragging you away and you were screaming my name.”
28
JASON
Just the memory now filled my stomach with bile. I’d woken with my face pushed into the disgusting motel carpet, my back on fire and every breath full of stabbing pain. The last thing I’d seen before the bullet slammed into me was Frey taking Laurel away.
I shouldn’t say anything else.
I didn’t trust myself and couldn’t get ahold of these foreign feelings pumping through me. It left me off kilter, yet I only wanted more. Wanted her, even when I knew I shouldn’t. Weren’t we past the point of no return?
So, fuck it. I shut down the protest in my brain and reached out, bringing her close.
“I thought I’d lost you.” I was a damn fool because she wasn’t mine to lose.
Her hands gripped my face to bring it down to hers, and she kissed me with so much passion it was thrilling and terrifying. When it ended, I put my forehead against hers, closing my eyes.