Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
I just want her. I want to have kids with her and raise them in the Greene Mountains. I want to protect her and protect my town.
That’s what I’ve been missing all these years. This is the feeling I wanted. And now that I have it, I know that I don’t need anything else.
“I’m going to respectfully decline,” I tell him. “Thank you for the wonderful offer, but it’s not what I want anymore.”
He sputters, sounding shocked that I’d turn it down. He probably has hundreds of cops desperate to get that position.
“But… Mr. Rush, it’s… The FBI!”
I know what I’m saying no to. But by saying no to the position, I’m saying yes to Lucy.
“Thanks again,” I say as I head back to my girl. “I’m out.”
Lucy watches me as I hang up the phone and slide it into my pocket. I look around at the gorgeous trees, sparkling river, and spectacular mountains and take a deep breath of the cool mountain air, feeling relief flooding my body. I feel better than I have in a long time.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
I grin as I sit down and grab my delicious sandwich next to my scrumptious girl.
“Yeah,” I say, smiling at her. “Everything is just perfect.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Emmanuel
The radio hums low, but I’m not listening. All of my focus is on Lucy.
I’m parked in my cruiser in front of her restaurant, watching her through the window. She’s so incredible. Whenever she smiles and jokes around with the customers, I find myself smiling too.
It’s a Tuesday in spring, so it’s a quiet night for us cops. Not much action around here this time of year—or any time of year, really. I used to get frustrated at the peaceful tranquility of this town, but I’m seeing it differently now. I want Lucy somewhere safe and you don’t get much safer than the Greene Mountains.
My heart races as I see Lucy pass the window holding an armful of plates. She drops them off at a table and then wanders by the window, smiling and waving at me.
That sweet innocent smile wrecks me a little more every time I see it.
This is my place. This is where I belong. I have no regrets about turning down the FBI position. Protecting that angel is my new mission in life.
An hour passes and my cruiser doesn’t move an inch. I know Angelo is returning in two days, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m not taking my eyes off this girl for one second until I deal with him.
I’m leaning back against the seat with one arm resting along the window frame when she barrels out of the restaurant like the ground just gave out beneath her and I’m the only solid thing left.
I turn off the radio and sit up as she crosses the road, ponytail bouncing, worried look on her face. She arrives at my car holding back tears. I feel a primal need to protect my girl ripping through every cell in my body. I just want to keep her safe from the world forever.
“What happened?” I ask when she can’t get the words out.
She takes a deep breath, eyes wild, panicky movements. “Sandra called… They took Cutter!”
My stomach drops.
“What?”
“It was Angelo,” she says, the tears flowing now. “He was hiding in the backyard and when Sandra let the dogs out, he hit him with a tranquilizer dart and took him.”
My blood turns to fire as she sobs. I want to get out and hug her, to make all her pain go away, but I can’t. I have to move fast if I have any hope of getting Cutter back.
“Take a deep breath,” I tell her. “Tell me what he looks like.”
She sucks in a breath and gets herself under control for the time being. Her eyes narrow on me, all business. I love how strong she is. She’s so impressive.
“He’s got a scorpion tattoo—right here,” she says, pointing to her neck. “And he’s probably driving an Escalade with an army camo paint job. It looks fucking ridiculous.”
“Okay,” I say as I start the car.
“He’s going to be heading east,” she says. “Probably on the main highway if he’s going back home.”
I grit my teeth as I strap in.
“I’ll get him back,” I promise in a steadfast tone.
“Please, Emmanuel,” she says, clutching her hands together as she steps back from my car. “He’s my best friend in the whole world.”
She’s terrified. The poor thing is shaking.
“You can count on me.”
It’s the last thing I say before I turn my lights and siren on, and haul ass toward the highway.
I’m going to make this evil fucker pay for making my girl cry. He pissed off the wrong motherfucking cop.
Cara and Henry are working tonight, but I don’t call them for backup. This one is all mine.