Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Tiny broke away from Violet and made his way toward me. “Andy definitely knows where you are,” he said quietly when he reached me, his deep voice pitched low enough that only I could hear. “Me and Knight did a quick scan of the video footage. That same car got flagged from our security system’s AI. Knight had been keeping tabs on him so he’s pretty sure Andy has been watching for a few days.”
My throat constricted. “He texted me. Just now.”
Tiny’s eyes darkened, but his voice remained steady. “What did he say?”
I swallowed hard, showing Tiny my phone. I hated how Andy’s words could still worm their way inside me. “He wants to talk. How did he even get this number?”
“If he knows anyone with any kind of skills, he could find you by process of elimination once he knew which building you were in.”
“But how did he find me?” I knew I sounded on the verge of a full breakdown, but I kind of was.
“Honey, a decent hacker who knew an approximate time you left and what you looked like could easily track you through public service cameras.”
“I wasn’t careful enough.” I could feel panic rising inside me. I absolutely could not let him take my daughters.
“He’s not getting near you or the girls,” Tiny said. For the first time since meeting the big man, the gentleness he always showed us here was gone. Steel would have looked softer than this man’s expression right now. “Not while I’m here.”
The rest of the afternoon stretched on, every minute pulled taut by the memory of Andy’s car circling the block. Kira asked if we could stay up late and watch a movie. I agreed before realizing it was an avoidance tactic -- she didn’t want to be alone, even in our own room. Neither did I.
Tiny walked me up to our apartment. As soon as we stopped at the door, Tiny turned to me. “You have my number. Right? Violet gave it to you?” I nodded my head. “If you need me… er… anything, you call me. Text me. Whatever you’re most comfortable with. I’ll stand between you and the girls and whatever is trying to harm you.”
I searched his expression for any hint Tiny was playing me. All I found was sincere concern and fierce determination. “Thank you.” My voice was soft. Even I could hear the fear, but I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Just your presence is reassuring. I hate to be a bother --”
“You’re not.” He held my gaze with his steady one. “Use my number. I’m only a phone call away. Even if all you want is for me to sit outside your door.” He gestured to our apartment door. “I’ll sit out here between you and the hallway. No one’s gettin’ past me to you guys.”
I sucked in a breath as tears spilled over my eyes and down my cheeks. I hastily turned away and brushed at my face. “I know. Thank you, Tiny. I owe you and Violet and Caleb more than I’ll ever be able to repay.”
“Just stay away from the windows as much as you can, honey. Keep the girls away too. We’ve all got your back, but I will always stand between the three of you and any danger. No matter who or what.” I’d never had anyone make that promise I thought might keep it. I knew absolutely without question Tiny would live up to his promise.
Before I could think about it too much, I reached for him. I intended to give him a hug, but even on my tiptoes, I had trouble getting my arms around his neck. Tiny leaned down and enveloped me in those impossibly large arms and immediately, all the tension left my body. He was warm and strong and so Goddamned gentle as he protected me from the outside world. It was only a brief moment, but I knew I’d always remember how safe I felt for those precious few seconds.
When I pulled away, I couldn’t help but look up at him. While I dreaded seeing a look of pity, there was a small part of me inside begging to know if he felt this same pull toward me I was feeling for him. He looked down into my gaze and suddenly, I was falling forward. Or maybe he was leaning down toward me.
I sucked in a shuddering breath a moment before our lips met in a gentle press. That was all it was, but I felt the impact all the way to my toes. Sure, there was more than a spark of lust inside me, but mostly, I wanted to sag against him in relief. Not because I was kissing him or could still feel arousal after everything I’d lived through with Andy. Because an overwhelming sense of safety and peace enveloped me when his lips touched mine and I knew in my very bones this man would always put himself between me and the girls and any threat headed our way. Whether we were a couple or not. It was all there in that chaste kiss.