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)
Oh, shit.
That wasn’t exactly what she wanted. She glanced over at Sampson with a plea in her eyes.
“Maybe it’s best she stay here,” Sampson said carefully. He didn’t want to rouse Alejandro’s anger.
None of them did.
“Why would that be?” Alejandro drawled. “Do you not think I can protect Maeve and find this asshole?”
“No, I know you could,” Sampson said. “I’m hoping you do find this asshole. But aren’t you meant to be leaving for Mexico soon?”
“We will postpone it,” Cat said.
Alejandro started swearing. “It will be difficult to postpone, kitten.”
“Papi, this is more important.”
“It is, of course it is. Maeve is important.”
Didn’t matter that she knew these guys loved her. Hearing that she was important still had the power to amaze her.
“Guys, I don’t want to ruin your vacation,” she said. Although she was sure it was as much about business for Alejandro as it was a holiday. “That would make me feel terrible. Isn’t this meant to be your delayed honeymoon? Why don’t I stay here and then when you’ve had your time in Mexico, you can come here? We might have found my stalker by then. Or he could just give up now that I’m gone. I’m sure I’m perfectly safe here. He can’t have any idea where I am, right? How would he?”
“I do not think that note sounded like he would give up easily, Maeve,” Alejandro told her. “You must treat this as a real threat. If I’m not assured of your safety . . .”
“We’ll look after her,” Sampson said firmly, his face tightening.
Alejandro didn’t look happy. Neither did Cat.
“I’m fine, Cat. Please don’t worry. I promise, I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay right here.”
“Promise?”
“Pinky swear.”
“You’ll do whatever Sampson says? You won’t leave the house?”
“I promise.”
“I still don’t like it. Alejandro,” Cat said in a soft whine.
“I will cancel.”
“Guys, please don’t. What can you do that I won’t have here? There’s a guard at the gate. Security in the house. And this guy won’t have any clue that I’m here. I’ll feel terrible if you cancel.”
Cat took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I want to hear from you every day.”
“Done.”
“I would like daily updates too, Sampson,” Alejandro added.
“Done.”
“I can send some men in a few days once they’ve wrapped up a couple jobs.”
“Alejandro, that’s not necessary,” Jenner said quickly. Probably because he knew his neighbors wouldn’t like a bunch of criminals hanging around.
Alejandro grunted. “I will send them as soon as they are free. End of story. Non-negotiable.”
Poor Jenner had gone all pale.
“I’ll speak to you soon. Promise.”
“Sampson, I will call you soon,” Alejandro said.
“Looking forward to it,” Sampson replied dryly.
“Bye! Love you guys.” She ended the call with a sigh. “Thank you. I love those guys, but we all know Alejandro wouldn’t let me have any freedom.”
Sampson raised his eyebrows. “You think you’re getting any freedom here? Not happening. Not until the threat is eliminated. Isaiah, I take it you’re working on removing any trace of her route here?”
“Yep. Maeve, I think I’ve found the bus you took from Portland to here. Then from the station to the house. But I need the one you took to Portland.”
“Oh, I think I’ve got the ticket in my wallet.”
“And I’ll need your address of where you were staying.”
She rattled it off. “You really think he’ll try to follow me?”
She’d thought she would be safe if she got away. But they seemed to think he might follow her. Lord, she felt ill.
“I hate bringing trouble to you guys, but I didn’t know where else to go.”
They all glared at her, except Isaiah who was concentrating on his computer.
“Shut up, Maeve.” To her shock it was Abe that spoke. “You know you’re our sister in every way that counts. If you hadn’t come here, I’d have tracked you down and spanked your ass. Still might for the shit coming out of your mouth.”
They all stared at Abe in shock.
“No offense, but you are not the person I want spanking me,” she said before she thought better.
“Really?” Jenner drawled. “Who do you want spanking you?”
“Oh, I, uh . . . doesn’t matter. Isn’t Eric waiting?”
Immy rose. “Let’s leave Maeve and Eric. I’ll go make some comfort food. Mac and cheese?”
“I will love you forever.”
“You would anyway, Maevie-baby. I know I’m your favorite.”
Right now, she probably was.
22
It was dark outside when Maeve made her way downstairs.
Eric had told her that she didn’t have a concussion, but that the bruising on her face and body would take a while to heal.
She glanced at a clock, grimacing as she saw it was nearly ten at night. But she couldn’t go to bed until she’d asked Isaiah to do something for her.
Find Gray.
She needed to call him. To hear his voice. To tell him she was sorry for taking off without saying goodbye.