Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Willow’s trust was broken once by a man who lied and deceived. I won’t be that asshole.
Each quake of her body and round of sobs reach deep in my soul, tearing it apart.
After what seems like an eternity, her wails die down and she clutches to me.
“What about Ace, Major, and Ford?”
“Ford is on his honeymoon. Ace and Major are in.”
“They have babies.”
“Princess, you are letting your mind go awry. We are fucking good at our jobs.”
Her head pops up, her anguished eyes flicking with irritation. “I know that! You’re the best. You take down cartels, save ships, scale buildings to save abducted women… you shut down illegal operations moving drugs through the country!”
Pride slithers through me at the resolution in her rant.
“You should also believe in us.”
Her flushed complexion pales to ash. “I-I-I do. Oh my God… I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because I’m being a selfish bitch. This is the man you are. Hero, warrior, loyal friend, and intelligence genius. Robbie would be stupid not to recruit you.”
I press her head back to my chest, needing to cradle her close. Her speeding heart eventually slows as my hand moves up and down her back.
“Tell me what you were giggling about?”
“What?”
“When I came out of the shower, you were laughing at your phone.”
“I’m not sure it’s relevant right now.”
“Everything is relevant. It’s been a great day. Don’t ruin it by falling asleep with all this on your mind. Tell me what was funny.”
“It was a text from Rowan.”
I can’t stop the bark of laughter that rumbles from my chest. “Rowan’s messaging you from her hotel on her wedding night? That shit is too good. Wait until Ford gets back.”
“It was a text thread with the bridesmaids with a thank you note.”
“He should have his wife busy.”
“It was really nice.”
“Sure it was.”
“Seriously, Talon, she included pictures.”
“Oh fuck, this gets better and better. She has the time to text and shoot off shots? Ford will never live this down.”
“They were pictures of Tom shielding Maverick all night like he was a hired guard.” She pinches me. “It was sweet.”
“Yeah, sweet. You message people on our wedding night, I deserve to lose my man card.”
“Don’t say anything to him.”
“Princess, this is too good to pass up.”
A calm quiet settles over us before she whispers, “When will you know more?”
“Tomorrow.”
“I love you, Talon.”
After a few minutes, her breathing evens out and her grip loosens. I click off the bedside lamp and give myself a few more minutes.
Darkness coats the room, my mood changing with every second ticking by.
When my time is almost up, I slip out from under her. In less than five minutes, I’m dressed, my bag packed, and I’m standing over Willow’s sleeping form.
My phone buzzes with the text I’ve been waiting for.
The guys are read in. Team is aligned.
She doesn’t stir when I fasten the necklace around her neck and kiss her lightly.
“They need me, baby. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Tomorrow, when she realizes what’s happened, hopefully she’ll understand.
And that may be the only thing I have going for me.
Because in the end, when I return, I can say I didn’t lie to her.
32
WILLOW
Princess,
I told you once that, for as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a Marine. It’s who I am. It’s in my blood.
For the first time in my life, I question my decision. Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Please know, if there was any other way, I’d be there with you right now.
I have a favor to ask—Trust me.
You are my single greatest motivation.
I love you in a way I never imagined possible. You are my world.
Talon
I re-read the note, making sure my tears don’t drip on the paper. The scroll of his penmanship, the words, the emotions and sentiment—all of it rooted all the way to my bones. The beautiful necklace weighing on my neck another reminder of the man who owns my heart.
There’s a soft knock at the door and Wolf lurches to his feet, his tail swooshing excitedly.
“Come in.” I slip the note under my pillow, swiping my eyes.
April peeks around the door. “How’s the studying going?”
I glimpse down at my laptop and the notes strewn about the bed. It was a coward’s way out—using my studies as an excuse to be alone. But no matter how large this house is, I felt like the walls were closing in on me when I wasn’t in Talon’s room.
Not to mention, the sympathy aimed my way.
All my notes blur together on the pages, making no sense. Each time I attempted to concentrate, my focus drifted to Talon.
“I’m not getting much accomplished,” I admit.
“Are you hungry?”
“We just ate.”
“Sweetheart, you barely touched your breakfast six hours ago.”
Six hours? It couldn’t be. “Is it still Tuesday?”
Her slight smile falters and she nods. “It is.”