Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
There was a sound in the distance.
“We should get out of here.” Niall pulled his shirt overhead as Harlow started to get dressed, too. “I’ll drive us to the motel your parents are at and we’ll figure out what to do from there. I need to get you someplace safe even if we don’t think they’re coming here. Then I’ll deal with Jensen.”
That didn’t sound like he was going to give the guy a hug. But then he was still reeling. Her Master—if he was still her Master—had never been put in a situation like this. But she had. “Niall, I’m going to ask you to let me take the lead in this. I know your instinct is to protect me…”
He held up a hand. “But you know what you’re doing and most of my military career was arresting drunk cadets and making sure no one got out of hand. I never once dealt with a criminal organization. Harlow, I’m reacting poorly. I’m not taking your feelings into account and I’m sorry, baby. Can we talk while we’re in the Jeep?”
That sound was getting closer. She pulled out the other bag. The one Ruby had brought her. While her sister had ensured she had makeup and clothes, Ruby had brought her other accessories. She pulled out the guns and ensured they were loaded and ready. She handed Niall one. “I don’t think we’ll have much privacy since we’re not taking your Jeep. Ruby sent a helo.”
Niall’s head swiveled as he turned toward the sound. “A helicopter?”
Harlow shrugged as he took the pistol and placed it in his bag after checking it himself. “She worries, and she’s into big gestures. Seriously, save a girl’s life one time and she never lets you forget she’s grateful. As to my feelings… They have to wait. I know I can’t move forward with him after this, but I also can’t leave him to fate.”
“You’re going to save him.” It wasn’t a question. It was merely a statement.
She nodded. “And then we can be done.”
“We?” His jaw firmed. “Harlow, I’m never going to be done with you. I know what Jensen did is dumb as shit, and I will follow your lead on how you want to deal with it, but don’t think I’m going to let you push me away. We are not a packaged deal. Our agreement was to love you together if you let us. And if you don’t then we’ll still love you. I will still love you and want to be with you.”
He was shaking her walls, and she couldn’t have it. Still, she also couldn’t tell him no. She moved into his space. “I love you, too, Sir, but I don’t know that we can pretend like nothing happened and move on. You lied to me. I understand why you did it, but this is bringing it all back.”
He reached out a hand as the sound of the chopper closed in. “You can trust me. I’ll do whatever it takes. If you need time I’ll give it to you, but I won’t be far away. I’ll be waiting for you.”
She felt the ground thud as the chopper landed in the big yard. Could she trust anyone after this? She squeezed his hand. “We should go.”
He picked up their bags and let her go first.
She hoped they got there in time.
Chapter Seventeen
Niall stood back while the blades of the chopper slowed and a young man slid from the pilot’s seat. He wore jeans and a T-shirt along with a headset he slid down around his neck. He had dark hair and looked to be roughly sixteen, though he probably wouldn’t be flying a helicopter if he was. He smiled and Niall knew this kid was going to bug the shit out of him because he was cocky and giving Harlow a long once-over.
He nearly glanced to his side so he and Jensen could exchange a look that let him know they would protect their girl from overly eager cowboys.
Jensen wasn’t there. He wouldn’t be there again because he’d walked away without even bothering to leave them a fucking note.
He was so angry, and he had to tamp it down because they were in a crisis.
“Hello,” the pilot said with a wave as he strode toward them. He wore cowboy boots and an aw-shucks smile that would likely melt the heart of most women. “Harlow Dawson? My name’s Jasper Malone. My auntie sent me to pick you up, and she did not mention that you would turn out to be so gorgeous. Damn, girl. Do you work with my Aunt Vanessa? Ruby is the one who called, but you look more like you should be in Hollywood. Is this your personal assistant?”
“I’m her Dom,” Niall said and put all of his will into that one word.