Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
“Of course,” he replied solemnly.
“Did Aidan tell you that I don’t like snowstorms?”
“He did,” he said gently. “And it’s okay because I’m going to take care of you.” Standing, he held out his hand to her. “We’re going to backtrack a bit. I’ve booked us some hotel rooms in Sioux Falls. The storm won’t last long and I promise you can trust me, Greer Savage.”
“Somehow, I feel like that’s something a psychopath would say to his victims to get them to come quietly with him.” She chewed her lip. “Although I don’t think a psychopath would eat M&Ms.”
He didn’t know what to say to that.
“How do I know you are who you really are?”
“Well, I could show you the picture Sav sent me of you.” He grabbed his phone and brought up the old photo, turning it around to show her.
Her face went even whiter, and for a moment, he was worried that she might faint on him.
“Are you all right? Do you feel ill?” he asked.
“Oh, I feel sick all right. Sick. With. Rage.” To his shock, she snatched the phone from his hand. “That rat bastard. He sent that photo? That one? Why?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but she beat him to it.
“I’ll tell you why! Because he’s a rat bastard. Right?”
Hack nodded. “Absolutely.”
“I’m going to kill him. Oh, two can play at this game. I’ve got some photos of him that people would find hilarious. Soon as I get back to Savannah . . . he’s going down.” She pointed downward to emphasize her point, whacking her finger against the table.
“Ow.” She looked at her finger like she couldn’t understand why it hurt.
“You hit it on the table,” he told her.
She huffed out a breath. “I have pimples in this photo! And that perm was a terrible idea. But they were all the rage. I saved up all my babysitting money to pay for it, and then, my hair started to fall out. It was awful. Aidan yelled at the lady who did it until she coughed up a refund. Then he took me to get a wig. We shaved off all my hair and I wore a wig until it grew back.”
“He sounds like a good brother.”
She sighed. “He was. Too bad I now have to kill him. I will miss him. But what am I supposed to do?”
“He practically dug his own grave.”
She nodded sadly.
“But how about we hold off on the murderous thoughts until after the snowstorm?”
She grimaced. “Yeah. That’s probably for the best.”
“Do you think you can come with me?”
“I find it hard to trust people, but Aidan said you’re a good man.”
“I am. And I will protect you. He entrusted you to me, and I take that responsibility seriously.”
“Not sure I like being a responsibility. But okay.” She slid out of the booth, her handbag held tight in her hand.
Shit. She barely reached the top of his shoulders. She wore an oversized black sweater with some writing on the front.
I’m not addicted to reading. I can quit as soon as I finish the next chapter.
He grinned before he noticed something. “Where’s your jacket? Gloves? Hat?”
“Oh, uh. I didn’t bring any of that with me. Don’t worry I’ve got plenty of clothes on.”
“You decided to travel to Montana in January without a coat or hat and gloves?” he asked incredulously.
“It was kind of spontaneous,” she admitted.
He grunted. “Sav said he didn’t know you were coming.”
“Um, no. And I forgot he was leaving soon on vacation. So I might end up only staying a couple of days.”
“And then you’ll drive back?” He shook his head. “That’s not safe. You’ll be too tired. You should stay longer.”
“I’ll be fine.” She eyed him. “Are you always so bossy with strangers?”
“You’re not a stranger,” he told her. “You’re my friend’s baby sister, and as I said, he’s placed you in my charge. That means it’s my responsibility to watch over you.”
She gaped at him. Yeah, he’d be lucky if she still wanted to talk to him after this.
Fussing over someone was kind of his thing. He liked it. Needed it.
“Come on, let’s go to your car to get your stuff, and then we’ll go.”
5
You’re my friend’s baby sister and he’s placed you in my charge.
Those words ran through her head as she put her sketchpad away. Before she could grab her wallet, he’d pulled some cash out of his and placed it in the table.
“You don’t have to pay.”
“Already done.”
What would it be like to always be in this man’s ‘charge’? He seemed protective. If a bit bossy. Maybe she’d want to kick him in the balls.
Or maybe she’d want to curl up in his arms and let him keep the rest of the world at bay.
Yep. That was definitely a strong possibility too.
That means it’s my responsibility to watch over you.