Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I grab his shirt. “You mean us. They’re going to take us to a safehouse.”
He’s shaking his head, and he pulls me against him, burying my face into his chest. “Listen to me, Maya. This guy is out of control. I fucked up thinking I would protect you and let someone else find him and stop him. I should have had guards set up outside. I don’t know how he got past the cameras.” He blows out a breath, and I feel his body shudder. “This is what I’m trained to do, honey, and I need to do it.”
I sniffle. “Well, let me go with you… or let them do it. I can’t lose you, Legend. If something happens to you—”
He squeezes me harder. “Listen, I already sent the text with our location. They will be here any minute, and I need you to be strong, okay? You’re doing so good, baby. I’m so proud of you.’'
I start to cry, and once it starts, I can’t stop. “Please?” I beg of him. “Please don’t leave me.”
He leans back just enough to look me in the face. “Maya, baby, I have to do this.”
Before I can beg him not to leave me, a truck pulls up, and a man gets out of the driver's side. He’s looking around as he walks toward us. “Walker,” Legend says.
The man named Walker holds his hand out to Legend. “It’s been a long time, brother.”
Legend shakes his hand, but doesn’t release me. He gestures to me. “You’ll keep Maya safe until I get there?”
Walker nods. “Yes. We have a cabin on the compound. No one will be able to get to her. I’ll have guards at every entrance.” He holds a hand up. “The compound houses mercenaries and wounded veterans. Trust me, no one is getting by.”
Legend clears his throat. “Can you give me a minute?”
Walker nods and walks over to the passenger side of the truck. I’m shaking my head. “I’m not doing it, Legend. I’m staying with you.”
“Honey…”
I poke a finger in his chest, and I’m filled with anger. “No! You’re supposed to be protecting me. You have to go with me.”
He brushes the hair off my face. “He tried to kill you, Maya. I’m ending this now.”
“Oh, God.” I cry. “There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”
He shakes his head. “No, baby. I have to do this.”
I suck in a deep breath and rest my forehead against his chest. I’ve only known Legend for a few days, but I know if anything happens to him, it will kill me. “Promise you’ll come back to me.” When he doesn’t answer me immediately, I lean my head back and look him in the eye. “Promise me.”
He sounds choked up. “I promise, Maya.”
He leans down and seals his lips to mine. He still tastes like me, and he devours me with a kiss. As soon as he breaks it, he lifts me up and carries me to Walker’s truck. “We had to leave in a hurry. Can you get her some clothes and shoes?”
Walker reassures him, “My wife is on standby to bring anything she needs. I’ll send you the location in an encrypted email.”
Legend nods as he leans in, pulls the seatbelt across my lap, and snaps me in. “I’ll see you soon.”
I snuff in a breath. “Okay. Please take care of yourself, Legend.”
He smiles. “I will, honey.”
He shuts the door, and I watch him as he says something to Walker and then takes off running barefoot back to my house.
It’s not until he’s out of sight that shock takes over.
The tears start again, and no matter how much I try to calm myself, I can’t stop crying. If something happens to him, I don’t know if I’ll survive it.
“Honey, Legend will be fine.”
I clench my fists. “How do you know?”
Walker is driving us through Whiskey Run, and he looks at me in the rearview mirror. “Because I’ve been in his shoes before. Nothing will keep him from you. A man in love is invincible.”
I lower my head. Love. The word hits me right in the gut. “He doesn’t love me.”
Walker chuckles. “Trust me, Maya. That is a man in love.”
If anything, I cry harder. I cry because I’m worried about Legend. And I cry because even if he doesn’t feel the same, I should have told him how I felt. I should have told him that I loved him.
13
LEGEND
It felt like I was away from Maya for an eternity. I hated leaving her when she was so upset. If there was another option, I would have done it. But there was no way I was leaving her stalker for someone else to handle. Before it was over, he was going to die by my hands.
It’s been over twenty-four hours, but it’s done. She won’t have to worry about the piece of shit messing with her ever again. I had to go to her house and shower to get all the blood off me. I didn’t want her to see me like that.