Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I’m going on my dream trip. Two solid weeks traveling across the United States, taking in every bit of touristy crap I can while working in some philanthropy and business for our mines at the same time. I’ll see the intensity of the Big Apple, the warm beaches of the Florida Keys, and sunny Los Angeles where the stars abound. I’ll even do some skiing in Wyoming—which I’m quite good at—and take in my first-ever rodeo. I’ll see more in two weeks than I will probably have seen in my travels so far.
I really should quit worrying about Dmitri and his reasons for not coming. As Marius points out, I don’t really like the man, and I should be grateful not to have him breathing down my neck. In fact, I bet it will be easier to give this guy Jackson the slip than it ever would Dmitri.
Should I have an inkling to do so.
My eyes move back to Jackson Gale. He’s not looking right at me, but I can tell by the way he holds his body, he’s completely aware of me and every person within a twenty-foot radius. I recognize that because it’s how Dmitri protects me. It means Jackson is very good at what he does. Maybe it won’t be so easy to give him the slip, but that’s not something to ponder right now. I generally follow the rules when I’m outside the compound—I’m no idiot. I know the value of my life to determined kidnappers.
It’s going to be weird having this stranger in my presence for the next few weeks. Awkward, really. I may not like Dmitri, but I’ve known him for almost thirteen years. There is a level of comfort there that I’m going to miss, despite his brutish ways.
“This party blows,” Marius grumbles. “Why do I even bother coming to these things?”
I roll my eyes, pulling away from him so that his arm around my waist disengages and instead I link our arms at the elbows, all without spilling a drop of my drink.
I lean my head on his shoulder, let it rest there a moment, and smile in fondness over such a stupid question. He knows the answer, but I provide it anyway, looking up at him. “Because, you know damn well you’re going to hook up with some heiress or waitress—you’re not picky—and you’ll go to sleep with a smile on your face. All this boring stuff will have been worth it.”
Marius snickers. “You know me way too well.”
“Come on,” I say as I give a tug of my elbow against his. “Let’s go walk along the docks and get away from all these stuffy people.”
“Best idea I’ve heard in years.” Marius slugs down his drink, and I place mine on the platter of a passing waiter. Marius slips his hand in mine and turns to lead me toward one of the exits.
I make it no more than three steps before something grabs hold of my free hand and jerks me to a stop. I gasp in indignation, tugging free of Marius to face whoever grabbed me.
It’s Jackson Gale, and he’s staring down at me with a thunderous expression.
I can’t even think why he’s looking at me like this, as if I’ve done something wrong, but I kick myself metaphorically for taking a moment to get lost in those fabulous eyes of his. If you broke them down with the mix of green, gold, and brown, you’d call them hazel. The truth is, they’re the lightest shades of those colors mixed in bands and striations. From a distance, and because of his dark hair providing contrast, his eyes are so light, they almost look unholy. But when you get up close and are able to see past the luminescence to the actual colors, you realize you’re looking at a work of art.
I blink to dispel the magic of his irises and my ridiculous poetic ruminations, instead cocking my head in silent question.
His eyes flash with annoyance. “Don’t ever leave my proximity without letting me know where you’re going and giving me the opportunity to make sure things are safe,” he growls, and I don’t like the message that sits just behind the command… that I’m a child who needs babysitting.
I jerk my hand away and take a step back only to come up against Marius’s body. His hands on my hips steady me, and he steps in closer. My friend knows me well enough to know that I’m offended by having my choices questioned in my own city where my father’s security forces are in attendance.
I lean forward slightly, eyes narrowing even more. I drop my voice, but it is no less imperious. “You do not own me, Mr. Gale. You do not control me. Your job is to watch. Your job is to protect. Therefore, if I choose to go for a walk, I’m going to go. You need to figure out how you can keep up and do your job at the same time. I don’t answer to you.”