Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
He looked nondescript, with mousy brown hair and mud-colored eyes. He was dressed in a cheap-looking shirt and pants.
She’d never seen him before.
And yet she knew exactly who he was.
“Fox.”
He held up a finger to his lips, a smile crossing his mouth as he took her in.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered. “It’s not safe for you. If one of the guys sees you . . .”
He snorted. “I’m not worried about that. They’re all busy chasing a rabbit around the gardens.”
“Did you let Cinnabun out?”
“What fun is a caged bunny? Poor thing was just begging to be liberated. If it’s smart, it won’t go far. Then again, rabbits aren’t known for their smarts, are they?”
“Fox,” she growled at him. “Everyone is upset with you. They think you betrayed Markovich.”
“And what do you think?” he asked.
“I . . . I think . . . I think that there’s stuff going on I don’t know about. And I think you never do anything by chance. Duke’s mad about you paying the balance on those invoices.”
“Is he?” The Fox grinned. “Then it was well worth it.”
“Fox,” she groaned. “What am I going to do with you?”
“You’re going to listen to me. I don’t have much time, but I had to see you on your wedding day. I have something for you.”
“I have to tell Duke you were here.”
“Of course,” he said easily. “But I’m sure you won’t want to do that before the ceremony.”
“I’m going to get my butt spanked on my wedding night,” she muttered.
“You’re welcome.” He winked.
He was terrible.
“Have you got something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?” he asked.
“Uh, well, not really. I mean, my dress is new. Oh, and my hair clip is old and borrowed.”
“Good. Then I have something blue.” He drew a small jewelry case from his pocket.
Sunny groaned. “You know Duke hates when you give me things. Especially jewelry.”
“I know. That’s an added bonus.” He grinned wickedly. “But this time, it has a purpose. And it’s really an add-on to a previous gift. It’s a charm.” He opened the case to reveal a small round charm with a blue stone in the middle.
“Oh, how pretty. It sparkles!” She reached out to run a finger over it. “Pretty, but I can’t accept this.”
“Sure, you can. This isn’t just pretty. It’s functional too.”
She didn’t have her charm bracelet on at the moment. Duke had become more accepting of her wearing it, but she figured she wouldn’t push him on their wedding day.
“Functional?”
“If you press the stone firmly, it sends out an emergency signal to me.”
Her eyes shot to his. “Do I need that?”
“Maybe. There’s a possibility that shit’s about to hit the fan. What fun!”
“Fox,” she groaned. “What’s going on? Are you safe?”
“Sweet girl, you don’t need to worry about me. But promise you’ll put this on your charm bracelet and that you’ll wear it. And use it if you need to. Please.”
It was the please that made her realize how serious he was.
“All right. But I have to tell Duke about this.” She took the box from him.
“Must you? Seems to me it will just push him toward a heart attack. Hmm, on second thought . . .”
“Fox,” she chided.
“Joking, sweet girl. I don’t want the big biker to die.”
She wasn’t sure if she believed him or not.
He gave her a hurt look, his hand on his chest. “Your doubt hits me right here. I’ve arranged a safe house for you as a precaution. I’ll even let you take Duke. Now, isn’t that nice of me?”
“Sure. That’s nice of you.” She didn’t really like the idea of needing a safe house, though.
“I even put some biker magazines in the toilet for him for when he’s doing his business.”
Lord help her.
“I’m rather disappointed I’m not escorting you down the aisle. Although, not sure how I’d feel about giving you to Duke.” Turning, he headed to the door.
“Wait! That’s it, you’re just going?”
He spun back. “Don’t you know that I’m always around?”
“Fox,” she said urgently.
“Yes?”
“I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be, sweet girl. I can take care of myself. And you. Although, perhaps a motorcycle wasn’t the best gift.” He gave her a chiding look.
He knew about that? Of course, he did, he was the Fox.
“Why me? I’m no one special.”
“You’re special to me.”
She rushed over and threw her arms around him. “Be careful, Fox.”
“When aren’t I careful?”
Pretty much always.
He slid from her hold and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Had that really just happened?
Another knock made her step back in fright. She shut the jewelry box as Betsy opened the door and peeked in. “Sunny? You all right?”
“Uh, yes. Sorry. You just startled me.”
“You look pale.”
“I’m fine.” Turning, she moved to her nightstand and put the jewelry box inside the top drawer. “Is Cinnabun all right?”