Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Of the three of them, Freya’s handling it the best, her lips set firmly, her eyes steady despite the underlying glint of anxiety.
Our eyes meet, and it’s like I know what she’s telling me.
It’s lucky we went back for her mom and Julie.
Otherwise….
I swallow, focusing on her question.
“After leaving the military,” I say, “Kenny and I bought a lake house property as an investment. But when Kenny started his security firm, he converted it into an off-the-books safe house, just in case any of his men were ever compromised. Nobody knows where it is except for us.”
“We’ll be safe,” Freya says, wrapping her arm around Julie and giving her a squeeze. “You hear that? We’re going to be safe.”
And then we can get some answers.
I wonder if Freya is thinking the same as she hugs her friend closer. Sooner or later, Julie will need to give us answers. But it’s not as though I’m going to interrogate my woman’s best friend.
As I drive, I wage war inside of me, fighting the urge to stop the car and jump out, stride to the back door and pull it open. I’d wrap my arms around Freya and pull her right up against me, close enough to feel her curvy body, as our instincts took over just like they did on our first kiss.
“Thank you,” Freya says, reaching over to touch my arm.
I wince, moving away a little.
“Felix, are you hurt?” she asks, voice sharp.
It makes me think of when we’re married if a thought like that isn’t just plain madness. It makes me think of how she’ll care for me the same way I will for her.
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “It can wait until we’re safe.”
“You’re bleeding,” she says.
“A tiny bit,” I reply. “But if I stop, those bastards might find us. Maybe they’ll bring backup this time. We don’t stop until I know you’re safe.”
I’m talking about Freya now, specifically. My thoughts are painfully wrenching in my mind when I think about what could happen to her.
“Felix….”
“We don’t stop,” I growl, pushing down on the pedal.
I’m not risking her gorgeous young body, so ready to give me a child. I’m not risking her kissable lips, her eyes which prove the cliché true… I could stare into them for hours, days.
I’m not risking her active, curious mind, gentle words, or anything.
She’s mine.
It’s my job to make sure nothing bad ever happens to her.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Freya
We drive for hours, deep into the night and early morning, with Felix fixated on the road. Somehow, mom and Julie fall asleep. Mom slumps against the window, and Julie slouched with her chin resting on her chest.
But despite the tiredness tugging at my body, I know I won’t be able to give in to the urge.
I feel too wired, adrenaline pumping through my body.
We didn’t say much when mom and Julie were awake, but I feel Felix watching me now, eyeing me in the rearview.
I return to his gaze, my heart feeling as though it gets lighter, floating as I smile at him.
“Do you want to sit up here?” he asks, his voice low and husky.
“Would that be okay?”
His smirk widens, reminding me of how he looked soon after the kiss, our noses tickling each other as we separated.
“Sure, but be quick.”
He pulls the car up at the side of the road. We’ve long since left my state, driving down long roads, leaving civilization behind as more and more country takes their place.
The night air pricks me as I quickly open the door and walk around to the passenger seat.
He drives away the moment I close the door.
His shoulder doesn’t seem to be causing him any pain, but I can see the red stain where the fabric’s torn. At least the blood looks dry. Felix’s forearms pulse, his muscles twitching as he drives, eyes focused on the road.
“Are we almost there?” I ask, glancing at the clock.
It’s three in the morning. And yet, sitting this close to Felix and feeling his heat and his possessive energy, sleep seems even further away. I feel like I’m more awake now than I was when I went to the party.
“About an hour,” he says.
“What happens next?”
He sighs darkly. “I’m not sure, Freya. I haven’t thought that far ahead. My only concern is to keep you safe.”
I nod, wrapping my hands across my middle, telling myself not to lose my mind over his words.
“And Mom and Julie,” I say quietly, glancing in the rearview.
Julie’s shifting in her sleep, sometimes letting out a few broken sentences, the words difficult to pick out.
“Of course,” he says. “It’s a good thing we went back for them. All I could think about was keeping you safe. If we’d left it….”
I reach over, touching his forearm, feeling his bare muscled skin against my hand. It’s like all the security of this man, my protector, is blazing through his flesh.