Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
“I can handle a little danger. I’ve been handling danger my entire life.”
“Yeah, but you weren’t mine then.”
Is it possible for a heart to burst from pride? If so, we’re both in trouble since I’m the one behind the wheel. Now is not the time for my heart to explode. “I’ve always been yours. Believe me, I won’t take any unnecessary risks. I have a reason to watch my ass now.”
“Are we going to Reno?”
“Not right away.” I don’t have anything concrete to share, so I’ll leave it there rather than confuse her any further. The less she knows, the better.
“But you’re going to want to confront those awful people.”
“For starters, yes.” I don’t want to plant ugly images in her head, so I’ll also keep that to myself. When I wasn’t obsessing over my need for her, I’d pass the time coming up with new and inventive ways to inflict pain and encourage regret.
The very thought of making them bleed and pay for all their wrongs gets my pulse racing.
“Okay.” She’s shaky. Concerned.
I can’t have that. As much as I wish she would go along without asking questions, I’d rather she bring up her concerns if it means allowing me to reassure her so she doesn’t suffer in silence.
“Hey. You don’t ever have to worry about yourself. If you remember nothing else, remember that. I’d rather die than let anyone hurt you.”
“I know that.” Her smile is much more relaxed and sincere now, easing my tension somewhat. All I have to worry about now is keeping her by my side once we arrive in town.
As I park the Jeep in front of the Walmart, I warn, “Stay close to me. No wandering off. I don’t want to have to kick someone’s ass.”
“Where would I go?” She looks around, grinning while she shrugs. “I don’t even know how to get back to the cabin.”
I’d prefer she say she wouldn’t know what to do without me, but I’ll let it go. It’s not worth getting into an argument over.
Is this what it means to be in a relationship? I’m sort of proud of myself.
Once we’re inside the store, there’s too much to look at and decide on to do much thinking beyond the present moment. I can almost forget the other reason for this trip while picking out leggings, socks, and underwear for Scarlet. And a pair of sneakers so she won’t have to wear my spare boots crammed with extra socks so they’ll fit better.
She’s agreeable throughout, linking an arm with mine as we walk from one department to the next. Like she’s satisfied simply to be together.
We could be any other couple running errands, one of those everyday events other people take for granted.
There’s nothing every day about what comes after this.
“Ooh, so you’re going with pasta?” Scarlet nudges me playfully, and I’m almost surprised to find myself holding a box of spaghetti.
I need to get my head in the game.
“Sure.” I pull a few more boxes off the shelf, along with jars of sauce. Enough to make it so we won’t need to go out for a while. After what I’m about to do, it’ll be to our advantage to lay low.
Cereal, oatmeal, canned soup, chili, and stew. She offers no opinion on any of it, willing to go along so long as it means we’re together. I don’t need her to tell me so. I feel it. She only wants to be with me.
How would she feel if she knew what came next?
She’ll have to get used to it, eventually.
And it isn’t as if she’s never been exposed to violence. She knows the score. Yet another way in which she’s meant for me.
“Cookies?” She holds up a package of Oreos, smiling hopefully.
“Sure. So long as you’re willing to share.” Her smile turns to a frown before she grabs a second bag and adds it to the cart.
I can’t help but laugh before pulling her in for a kiss.
Though before our lips meet, I catch the eye of a flannel-wearing guy at the other end of the aisle. It’s not me he’s watching. Not when Scarlet’s ass is so much more interesting.
“What is it?” she whispers, touching a hand to my cheek to turn my face toward hers again. My gaze locks on the asshole who thinks it’s a good idea to stare at my angel.
Mine, she’s mine; look away or learn to live without eyesight, dickhead.
Finally, he notices me glaring and has the good sense to clear his throat before turning away. That’s what I thought. If he had the first idea of what I’m prepared to do to keep her by my side, he’d move a hell of a lot faster.
She looks over her shoulder, but it’s too late to catch him. “What’s wrong? You looked like you were ready to kill somebody.”