Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“Fletcher,” Samantha murmurs. “I think you should slow down.”
I glance at the speedometer. I’m going almost a hundred, and there’s a turn coming up. She’s right. I’m not alone now. If I hurt my…
I slow the car, breathing heavily. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be,” she replies.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I snarl. “I never want to hurt you.”
Maybe the never is going too far. It implies a lot about the future. If I never want to hurt her, does that mean we’ll be together forever?
She reaches over and places her hand on my arm. “You won’t. Jeez, you’re burning up.”
“Charles said he could hear barking from inside the farmhouse,” I tell her, hearing the thunder in my voice.
“Does he know that Loki’s in there?”
“Not exactly, but he knows the asshole who stole my dog is part of this dog-theft ring. There’s a good chance unless they’ve already sold him. Or…”
I can’t think about the or. I’ve seen what happens to animals when evil bastards get their hands on them. I’ve seen it too many times and with far too much vivid detail.
“Don’t think about the or,” she says, as if reading my mind. “But if it is the or, then do whatever you must. Just don’t get arrested.”
I take her hand, bring it to my lips, and kiss her softly, tasting her skin. “That’s the best advice you could’ve given me. Thank you, Samantha.”
She keeps her hand on my arm as I drive, maybe to remind me to stick to the speed limit. Finally, we turn off the main road onto a dirt track, the car bumping up and down as we drive between tall trees. I spot Charles’ car. Charles is leaning against it, smoking a cigarette.
I take a moment to turn the car around so it’s facing the way we came. “When I leave, get in the driver’s seat,” I tell Samantha. “If you hear shooting, drive away. If I’m not back in ten minutes, drive away. If—”
“What if you need help?” she cuts in.
I turn, my mind filled with so many twisted images. I see my perfect girl in situations she will never be in. I won’t allow it. Echoes of the stuff I saw overseas, all the viciousness, but pushed onto my woman.
“You are not helping like that,” I snarl. “Not with the fighting. I refuse to put you at risk. If that’s a problem, I’ll drive you home now.”
“And leave Loki?” she asks.
“I’d hate to do it,” I snap, “but I can’t risk you.”
I can’t risk our future. I can’t risk our marriage. Our children. Our family.
She nods, squeezing my hand. “Okay, Fletcher. I get it. I’ll stay here.”
Leaning forward, I press my lips against hers. I’m not sure what’s waiting for me in that farmhouse, but there’s a chance this is the last time I’ll see my woman. I kiss her deeply, my hand resting on her leg. I purposefully keep it close to her knee so my fierce hunger doesn’t get out of control. Even now, when my thoughts should be elsewhere, there’s a chance of that happening.
“Good luck,” she whispers when I end the kiss.
Leaving the car is an effort. Before I met her, I only thought about getting Loki back. Now, instinct tries to keep me here, near my woman. Protecting her is my number one priority, always—protecting this stranger. Yet, I don’t think of her as a stranger. Maybe it’s sad, but I’m more intimate with her than I was with the mother of my child. I’ve shared more. I’ve been more open.
Charles is wearing his scuffed-up leather jacket. He’s lighting another cigarette as I approach. “Farmhouse is half a mile that way.” He nods down the path.
“You got a tool for me?” I ask.
He frowns. “I’ve got a couple, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Are they both registered in your name?” When he makes a face, I say, “If anything happens, it’ll disappear. Nobody will ever trace it to you. You have my word and add it to the bill.”
He sighs, then nods. “Fair enough, but I think we should call the cops.”
“You’ve worked with the cops enough times to know there’s no way in hell they’re sending a unit out here who’ll get the job done. Maybe a detective, maybe, to see if it’s legit, and then there will be days, maybe weeks, while they try to get a warrant. No. Fuck that. Loki could be in there, and even if he isn’t, you said you heard barking.”
Charles swallows. “Lots of it.”
“That’s reason enough to get moving. Get me the tool and then wait here. There’s more cash in it if you keep her safe.” I nod toward my car. “Whatever happens, you can’t let anybody hurt her.” Dammit. Emotion is entering my voice again, a dangerous ingredient when bloodshed is on the table. “Are we clear?”