Total pages in book: 211
Estimated words: 201554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1008(@200wpm)___ 806(@250wpm)___ 672(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 201554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1008(@200wpm)___ 806(@250wpm)___ 672(@300wpm)
His phone buzzes with another message that he replies to this time, his jaw setting hard before he sticks his cell in his pocket. I stand up and face him, my arms folding in front of me.
“Talk.”
He unfolds his big body, and faces me, no, towers over me, his tone obviously measured as he says, “I need you to know that I hired a top-notch security company to find answers. Walker Security’s staff includes ex-special forces, CIA, and FBI, and the list of credentials goes on. With their skills and mine we’ll uncover what’s happening with Kingston Motors.”
“Which is great but that’s not what you want to say to me right now, is it?” I ask, all too aware that he hasn’t told me everything. I sense it. I can almost taste it in the air.
“I had Blake, my contact at Walker, get someone from his team in place at your house.”
His push for locked doors comes back to me hard and fast. “Why? Just say it.”
“Someone’s watching your house, which most likely is nothing more than my brother’s paranoia over my presence. He most likely hired someone to keep an eye on me or us.”
“Most likely? What are the other options?”
“I’m working on that answer. Whoever this guy is, he either wanted me to see him, or he’s really bad at his job. Either way, I’m going to talk to him.”
“Talk to him?” I ask incredulously. “Are you crazy? What if he has a gun?”
“I’m not without skills. That’s the part of my life you missed, and I’m glad you did.” There’s a knock on the door and my heart is racing all over again. “Easy, sweetheart,” Eric murmurs, catching my shoulders and walking me to him. “Blake, one of the owners of Walker Security, sent a man over. I need to go talk to that asshole watching us and nip it in the bud. Blake’s man will stay with you until I get back.”
“Stay with me? I’m not staying here with some stranger. This is crazy, no you’re crazy, and if you’re going to be crazy, I’m going with you.”
“I swear to God, Harper, I will tie you to the bed and keep you here. Stay here. It will take half an hour at most.”
“Do not go caveman on me,” I warn. “You will not like the results.”
“You wanted my help. You wanted me. You got me now, and I’m telling you to listen to me and stay here.”
“I do want you, alive and well.”
“There’s no such thing as an ex-Navy SEAL. I’m still that guy. If someone gets hurt, it won’t be me. Don’t fight me on this. I protect what matters to me and that means you. I need to talk to this guy before he’s gone.”
I matter to him. That brings me down about ten notches. I inhale and let my breath out. “Yes. Okay.”
“Blake’s man is going to stay at the door to be sure you’re safe. Come lock up.”
He catches my hand and leads me to the door and when he would leave, I grab his arm. “Please don’t get hurt.”
He cups my head and kisses me. “I’ll be right back.” And that’s it. There’s no holding him back any longer. He exits the room. I lock the door and lean against it, all too aware of the obvious. If Eric didn’t think there was a real threat, there wouldn’t be a guard at my door. He also didn’t promise not to get hurt.
Chapter thirty-three
Eric
Iexit the hotel room to be greeted by a burly guy with a beard wearing a blue suit and an earpiece. He gives me a nod. “I’m Jensen.”
I don’t introduce myself. He’s been briefed and while I trust Blake’s judgment, Jensen is still staying in the hallway. I’m not letting any guy I don’t know into a room alone with my woman, even Blake’s guy. If this turns out to be trouble, I’m getting her the hell out of here. “Don’t let anyone in or out of that room.”
“Understood. Adam’s in town. He’s at her house.”
Adam being one of Blake’s men and a fellow SEAL. I’ll take a SEAL at my back any day of any week. I give a nod and add, “I’ll be back in half an hour.”
I don’t say more. He understands. If I’m a minute longer, there’s a problem. I head down the hallway with the scent of Harper on my skin and the taste of her on my lips. She’s under my skin, in my head, and the idea that I almost left her to deal with this alone, is not a good one. She needed me. I needed to be here. I needed to be here a long damn time ago and maybe she wouldn’t still be here in this mess. She’s not staying and I’m not leaving without her.