Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Enzo grabs a jump rope and makes quick work of restraining him. Only when Ben is thoroughly trapped in a web-like wrap of rope does Enzo stand and turn to me. In a few quick strides, he comes to my side, immediately dropping to his knees in front of me on the floor.
He leans forward and cups my face in his hands, and I notice that his knuckles are split and bruising. I lay my hand over his gently, careful not to hurt him more.
“You’re okay,” Enzo murmurs, his voice soothing me. “My princess. So brave. You’re okay. I’ve got you.”
I nod, exhaling heavily. “Enzo,” is all I can say, my voice shaky now that the adrenaline is wearing off.
He leans closer to place an achingly gentle kiss on my lips before pulling away. “I need you to do exactly as I say. Okay, princess?”
I nod, needing his guidance because I sure don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.
“Go make a hot drink, sit down, and try to stay calm. You’re safe now, gorgeous. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Stay calm and drink tea. I can do that.
“He’ll never get close to you ever again,” Enzo continues, stroking his thumb over my cheek. “Nobody will. You’re mine, princess. I’ll keep you safe always.”
I lean into his touch. “I know,” I murmur with a small smile. “I trust you, Enzo. You make me feel…” I trail off, not having the words to describe the warm, glowy feeling in my chest.
He must see it in my eyes, though, because he smiles back at me.
“You make me feel the same way, princess,” he says quietly, making my heart thud behind my ribs.
A few beats later, he lets me go, and I hop to my feet to make tea and get the hell away from the man tied up in the corner.
5
ENZO
I watch Evangeline rush off in the direction of the kitchen and lounge, listening intently until I hear the click of the tea kettle being turned on. Only then do I turn my attention back to the asshole who dared to put his hands on what’s mine.
It takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to kill him, and only because I need to know why he was doing it. Sure, he’s been a dick before, and his comments about Evangeline haven’t gone unnoticed, but he’s never taken it so far before. Why would he risk his job like that? Is he truly so arrogant as to believe nobody would find out?
A high-pitched electronic ding interrupts my murderous thoughts. I frown, narrowing my eyes as a phone screen lights up through Ben’s black uniform. I stand, striding over to where he’s propped up, and dig around his pocket to pull out the phone.
The device is secured by Face ID, so I hold the screen up to Ben’s face and use my free hand to peel open his eyelids. The phone beeps its approval and lets me in easily, making me scoff under my breath.
Immediately, I tap to open the text chain the notification came from. The contact is saved under a random collection of letters that’s far more suspicious than if he just made up a friend’s name. Clearly, I’m right to think of Ben as an arrogant asshole.
Rage consumes me while I read through the messages. There are dozens, but the most recent text reads:
Sent another distraction this morning. Graves will be distracted a while longer. Update on the asset.
I blink, trying and failing to clear the red haze from my vision. The asset? It doesn’t take me a minute to figure out what, or who, they’re referring to.
My girl.
Realization sends a fresh wave of white-hot rage through me. Ben’s in on it. He’s been in on this since the beginning. The threats to Evangeline’s life. The idea to bring her out here to keep her safe and isolated. The call I heard him take last night.
He’s a fucking traitor.
It’s getting harder and harder to remember the reasons I shouldn’t rip Ben’s head clean off.
Another text comes through, though with the way I’m gripping the phone in my fist, I’m surprised the thing hasn’t shattered. I ease my grip to read it.
Ten minutes out. Get the asset ready for transfer.
“Ready for transfer?” I repeat under my breath, ice forming in my veins. The phone falls to the floor with a thud.
They’re planning to kidnap her.
Ben lets out a pained groan, and when I punch him in the gut, his breath comes out strangled. There’s little satisfaction in hitting him while he can’t defend himself, but the fucker deserves it.
I jump into action, abandoning the traitor, and rip my own phone out of my pocket. I speed-dial Ian and storm through the house towards Evangeline.
My boss picks up on the second ring.