Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Gray said. “But I need to arrange a rental car to drive home.”
Everyone nodded. They all knew about her fear of flying in those tin death traps. They were worse than elevators.
“You’re leaving so soon?” Abe asked.
“It will be safer for everyone,” Gray told him. “Obviously, her stalker knows she’s here. And while she’s here you’re all at risk.”
Sampson frowned, but didn’t say anything.
“But we’ll wait for Isaiah,” Gray added. “When is he due back?”
She turned to look at Gray in surprise. “We will?”
“Yes.” He leaned in to talk to her quietly. “Do I need to feed you, little girl?”
Crap. She should have known he’d notice. She forked up some eggs, eating them slowly.
“He’s coming in at lunchtime,” Sampson said.
“Sampson, I’d also like to speak to you about something after breakfast.”
He would? What? She frowned at him.
“Last warning,” he said quietly to her.
Double shoot. She ate some of the fruit. The others gradually relaxed around Gray. Soon they were telling him stories about the time she’d attempted to rescue the rats from the science lab at college.
“You guys! We don’t have to tell Gray about all the crazy things I’ve done.” She put her hands over her burning cheeks. “We don’t want to run him off.”
“Nothing would run me off, girl,” he said to her, warmth in his eyes.
She gave him a smile back.
Immy sighed.
“Immy, Jesus.” Jenner got up and stormed out.
“What’s up his ass today?” Immy wondered.
“I’m going to go rest again,” Abe said.
Maeve frowned. “I’ll walk up with you.”
Gray scowled and she thought he was going to protest her being alone with Abe, but he surprised her.
“I need to speak to Sampson, but I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”
“Oh, I’ll just go upstairs with Abe. Nowhere else.”
Gray gave a slow nod, but she could see it was hard for him to let her go.
She slid her arm around Abe’s waist.
“You trying to aggravate the beast, Maeve?” he asked as they walked out of the room.
“No.” Was she? “Maybe a little.”
“Because I can walk by myself.”
“I know.” She bit her lip, watching him worriedly as he ascended the stairs. What would she do if he slipped and fell?
She followed him up, prepared to catch him if needed. Even though he outweighed her by a good hundred pounds.
“Maeve, you’re not catching me if I fall. Get your ass up here beside me.”
Whoops.
She scampered up, catching sight of his frustrated face.
“Maeve, this isn’t your fault,” he told her once they reached the top. He reached over to cup her face. “All right?”
“Okay.”
“Not okay. Tell me you know it’s not your fault.”
“I know it’s not my fault.”
“Your man needs to work on that with you. You sure you’re happy with him? He seems a bit . . .”
“Domineering? Bossy? Intimidating? He’s all those things. He’s also protective, possessive, and loves me just as I am.”
Abe’s lips twitched. “And why wouldn’t he? You’re perfect.”
“I sure think so.”
They glanced over to find Gray coming up the stairs.
“That was quick,” she said with surprise.
“Sampson gave me what I wanted. We should go pack so we’re ready to go once Isaiah is here.”
“I might say goodbye now, Maeve, in case I’m asleep when you leave.” Abe drew her close. “You know this is your home, right?”
“I know.”
“Good. Keep her safe,” he said to Gray.
“Always,” Gray replied.
“Because if you don’t, we will make you pay. Painfully.”
Abe gave her a last hug, then moved slowly down to his bedroom. She scratched at her cheek as she watched him.
Gray took hold of her hand, squeezing it gently. “He’ll be fine. And what happened to him wasn’t your fault.” He gave her a knowing look.
She nodded, even though she still felt guilty. As they walked downstairs, Sampson was coming toward them.
“Oh, good. There you are. I forgot to mention something.”
They followed him into the living room. She took a seat on the sofa with Gray while Sampson paced back and forth.
She frowned. “Are you all right, Sampson?”
He stopped and sighed, running his hand over his face. “Yeah, sorry. Just worried about you.” He glanced at Gray. “You will keep her safe.”
“I’ll protect her with my life. Nothing will get through me to her. And once I get her home, she’ll be well guarded by Markovich’s men.”
Sampson grimaced. “Yeah, that’s what else we need to talk about.”
“What?”
“You’re going to have to call Cat before you go and let her know what’s going on. And Alejandro is at least going to insist on sending his men with you.”
Like fuck.
Gray couldn’t believe that Sampson even suggested it.
“Why the fuck would I want Alejandro De Leon’s men coming back with me?” Markovich would have a fucking heart attack.
“Look, I don’t expect them to stay with you once you get back there. But surely you can see the benefit of them protecting you along the way.”