Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“Your agent has hired me to protect you. Nothing will harm you.”
Looking over her shoulder to see he’d moved closer and was standing directly behind her, Gabriela shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m so scared. He took my vibrator.”
“I figured.”
“Is there anything you don’t know?” Gabriela whispered.
“I know I can keep you from harm, if you’ll let me,” Kole assured her.
Turning back to face the powerful man, Gabriela nodded and stepped forward to close the gap between them. Leaning against his warmth, she dropped her forehead to his chest. His arms folded around her and pulled her tighter against him. She could hear the thud of his steady heartbeat. His body felt like coiled steel—primed and ready to fight anything. She’d known him less than a day and she felt safer with him than she’d ever been before.
“Just tell me what to do,” she whispered.
“Gabby, you’re going to fight when your fright wears off. It’s extremely important you go when I tell you to move and stay when I tell you to.”
“I’ll do it. Do you think we can get this guy and put him in jail where he can’t harass me anymore?” Gabriela asked.
“Yes.”
“That’s it? Yes?” she questioned.
“Yes.”
CHAPTER 3
Kole loaded her suitcases and cosmetic bag into the back of the rideshare he’d called. When he had everything set, he squeezed his duffle bag into the last bit of space. Gabby hovered at his side as he gently guided her backward to close the hatchback.
“Let’s get in.” He opened the door and waved her inside before crowding in next to her. Kole wasn’t taking any chance she could be taken while he circled the back of the car.
Gabriela faded into the corner of the SUV, not making eye contact with the driver. Kole reached over and fastened her seatbelt before securing his own. He answered the rideshare driver’s friendly banter with yes or no answers until she stopped asking anything.
“Are you going to be able to get on the plane with me?” Gabriela leaned over to ask.
“Supposedly, everything is taken care of. Your agent called the studio and gave them my number. They contacted me while I was out.”
When they arrived at the private airport, Kole unloaded the bags as he kept an eye on Gabriela who walked toward the staff waiting for them. As she walked up the stairs to enter the cabin, he grabbed his duffle and jogged forward, calling, “Gabby.”
Instantly, she froze and turned to look at him in surprise. As he joined them, she quickly pulled herself together and introduced him. “Edward, Vince, this is Kole. He’s…” She looked at him wildly, trying to figure out what to call him.
“I’m her security detail. Is anyone else on the plane?” Kole asked without waiting for their reaction to having a second person on board.
“Hi, Kole. The pilot is on board. He’s in the cockpit. We’ll get your luggage stowed,” Vince told him cheerfully.
Motioning to the duffle Kole held, he asked, “Can I take that for you?”
“This stays with me,” Kole refused before looking at Gabriela. “I’ll go check out the plane.”
“Oh, okay.” She felt like a total idiot. Of course, she shouldn’t wander away from him.
“Security detail?” Vince looked at her with concern. “Is there something going on?”
“Just a few strange events. Kole will be with me for a while until we figure out what’s going on,” Gabriela explained.
The two men looked at each other before Edward commented, “We’ll be vigilant for anything strange.”
“Thanks, guys. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Kole returned to her side as she finished that statement. “All’s clear. Come on, Gabby.”
She allowed him to usher her into the plane and took her normal seat she always rode in. Kole sat across the aisle and stashed his duffle under the seat.
“Can you call me Gabriela?” she whispered.
“Probably not, but I’ll try to remember. How well do you know these guys?”
Shaking her head at his blunt response, she focused on his question. Kole was going to do what Kole wanted to do. “They’ve transported me back and forth for the last three months. They’re good guys.”
“Perfect. I’m glad it’s always the same crew. Buckle up.”
Automatically, she followed his instructions and in just a few minutes, they’d gotten clearance and the plane taxied down the runway. Gabriela leaned back and ran lines in her head. She didn’t particularly hate flying but was always glad to be in the air or back on the ground. The runway part was not her favorite.
When the pleasant chime sounded, she explained to Kole as she reached for her seatbelt, “That means we can move around.”
His immense hand closed over hers. “Keep it fastened while you’re in your seat.”
She persisted and his hand tightened. “Kole, this isn’t like a commercial plane. There’s more freedom here.”
“You’re safer with your seatbelt fastened.”
“Here, Gabriela. I’ve got your ice water,” Vince said as he handed Gabriela an insulated cup with her name on it.