Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“All standard background info,” Morgan assured her. His head turned, following the path of a Mercedes that drove down the street, its reflection obvious in the window of the restaurant.
“Well, I would love to talk to you about your job. I was thinking of sitting down with Dana to start because I want the article to be female-centric, but you could give me a rundown on what you do.”
“When I don’t have to focus on the job,” he told her.
Which she took to mean he wasn’t going to spill. That was fine. She’d call Dana and see if she was interested in being an anonymous source.
For now, Winter turned her attention back to the senator and pulled up the number she’d saved, her finger hovering over his name. If she wanted to have a relationship with the man, she needed to reach out and try.
She bit down on the inside of her cheek, hesitating. She hadn’t discussed things with Nikki and needed to talk to her sister first.
She tapped on her favorites from the screen.
“I don’t like this,” Morgan said, his clipped tone capturing her attention.
“What’s wrong?” She glanced up at him.
He adjusted his silver-framed sunglasses. “Same vehicle has gone by here three times, slowing down when they pass. I need to get you out of here.”
She shook her head. “Harrison’s inside. He’ll panic if we aren’t here when he comes out.”
She tried to pull up his cell phone number instead of Nikki’s, but her hands were trembling, even as she told herself Morgan was just being proactive and doing his job. That there was nothing to worry about.
“And he’ll be furious if something happens, and I didn’t act.” Morgan grasped her elbow and helped her to her feet, turning her toward where they’d parked the SUV and started to haul her in that direction.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Call it gut instinct.”
Everything after that happened in slow motion.
A dark Mercedes turned the corner from that same street, and Morgan jerked her to a halt. “Head inside the store,” he bit out, obviously intent on getting her to safety. From what, she didn’t understand, because the car was driving down the street that ran parallel to the store. But she wasn’t about to make his job difficult, and she turned to the café.
The front entrance was a few feet away. She took two steps back the way she’d come when screeching tires sounded from behind her. Suddenly, Morgan shoved her with all his strength. She screamed and her head hit the metal surrounding the glass window with a sickening, painful thud.
* * *
Harrison hadn’t wanted to take this trip into town in the worst way, and as he waited in line, his nerves increased. If Winter hadn’t been hungry to the point where she was dizzy, he’d walk out and head straight home. But he couldn’t pinpoint a good reason for his anxiety. He’d taken Winter into town with his family and one security guard, and he hadn’t been overly concerned. But a week had passed with no more threatening deliveries and Zach hadn’t been able to figure out who’d sent the ultrasound with the dire warning.
It felt like the person was lying in wait and biding their time. Remy’s partner still insisted Harrison was overreacting and though Morgan’s boss believed in safety protocols, even he wondered if they were dealing with a nut job who might not act again. But Harrison’s gut churned anyway. He felt safe at home. Everything about Winter being in public and exposed felt wrong.
Even knowing he was going to upset her, he ordered the meal to go and watched through the window as she talked to Morgan. Harrison kept an eye on her from inside and he had her security guard right there.
“Harrison Dare?” a female voice called his name.
Shit, he thought. The last thing he wanted to do was be recognized now. Still, he lived here, and his reputation was important to him. He didn’t need his family suffering because word got around Harrison Dare treated people like a rude asshole.
Clenching his teeth, he turned around and began the small talk expected of him as he signed autographs for a woman who had four daughters and eight grandchildren.
Finally, the server behind the counter called his name, not his real one because who needed that announced out loud?
Harrison met the woman’s gaze and treated her to his patented smile. “I hope this is all good, ma’am. I need to get food for my pregnant girlfriend. I’m sure you understand.”
Her grin told him she read the tabloids. “Just one picture first? Please?”
Forcing himself to keep his smile, he stepped beside her, his back to the entrance. A loud screech had him jerking in time to see a vehicle turn and come straight toward the front windows.
“Move!” Harrison yelled at the female fan, pushing her aside and running for Winter.