Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
She nods, obviously understanding. “He’s a little overbearing sometimes, and he’s feral when it comes to protection. Is it worth it?”
I frown at her. “Of course, it’s worth it. I can’t picture my life without him. But he’s so … worried about the safety thing, no matter how many times I explain to him that nothing’s going to happen to me here.”
“I thought I was safe here, too.” And everything that happened just a couple of months ago with Skyla’s stalker, her being in danger, her beautiful dog almost dying, comes flooding back to me. “My brother loves you, and there’s nothing he won’t do to keep you safe.”
“I love him, too.”
She smiles and cups my cheek. “Aye, I know you do. Isn’t it wonderful that I fell in love with your brother, and you fell for mine, and we’ll be best friends forever?”
“As long as your brother doesn’t dump me, it’s wonderful.”
She barks out a laugh and shakes her head. “Not happening. Ever.”
I laugh with her and pull away. “I’m just going to go turn out the lights and get ready to go. Would you like a ride home?”
“I drove myself in,” she says. “But I’ll wait and walk out with you.”
With a nod, I walk to the backroom so I can flip the light switches. I hear Skyla speaking and then a lower voice, and I assume she’s talking to Simon.
Once I’ve gathered my handbag from my office, I walk back through the store, and my eyes widen when I realize Skyla’s speaking to Connor.
But before I can run and jump in his arms, I realize Connor doesn’t look happy.
“You’ll do as I fecking say,” he says to his sister, who’s frowning at him. “I’ve already called Beckett, so he’s aware.”
“We’ll be fine,” Skyla assures him.
“Hey.” I offer my man a tentative smile, and then I’m yanked into his arms. He holds me so tight, it’s hard to pull in a breath. “I missed you, too.”
Suddenly, Simon shouts, “Get down!” He pushes through the glass door, his weapon drawn, and he’s sprinting across the street with Miller right behind him.
Connor tackles me to the floor, and Skyla’s down, too, and my heart thumps in my ears. There’s no noise coming from outside, and I lift my head to look, but Connor growls.
“Stay down, angel,” he says as Skyla scoots over to us, and I pull her close.
“What in the hell?” I ask.
“You’ll stay here, both of you,” Connor says as he goes to stand, but I yank on his hand, pulling him back to me.
“You’re not going out there.”
“I’m going to check it out,” he says, kissing my forehead. “I’ll be fine.”
Absolutely fucking not.
“Let Miller and Simon handle it.”
But my stubborn-as-hell man ignores my plea and stands just as the door opens again, and Simon rushes in, no weapon in sight.
“All clear, the suspect is apprehended.”
What the hell is going on?
“Who?” I demand. “What was he doing?”
Simon doesn’t even look my way. He’s talking directly to Connor as Skyla and I climb to our feet.
“The suspect is apprehended, sir, but we haven’t done a full canvas of the area to know if there are any more out there,” Simon adds.
“Who?” I demand. “What was he doing?”
Simon doesn’t even look my way. He’s talking directly to Connor as Skyla and I climb to our feet.
“The police are with him, boss,” Simon says.
“Miller called them in?”
“Yes, and they were literally a street away. They pulled up as we caught the guy.”
What guy?
“Good.” Connor tugs me against him. “Christ,” he mutters against my hair. “Need to get you to our home, bumble. And I need you to listen to my instructions and follow them.”
“Who and why?” I demand again, but no one’s answering me.
Instead, Connor backs away and starts barking orders.
“Simon, follow Skyla home, and don’t leave her until she’s through the gate at their ranch. Miller, we’re heading straight to the house. I want alarms set around the perimeter of the property and all cameras on.”
“Sir,” they both say, their faces grim.
“What’s going on?” I ask as Connor opens the back door of the SUV and gestures for me to get inside.
But I don’t get inside. Instead, my gaze is pinned to the short, skinny man with wire-rimmed glasses being led to the back seat of the police car where Chase Wild is reading him his rights.
“Who is that man?” I ask.
“Angel, I need you to get in the car now. Please.” He gestures for me to get into the car, then slides in after me. I’ve barely got my seat belt on when Miller takes off toward home.
Connor holds my hand, but he’s distant. His face is hard as granite as he stares out the window, grinding his teeth together.
“Who was he?”
Nothing. He takes a breath and grinds his back teeth together.