Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“You won’t,” he promises as he palms the key, then tucks it into his pocket.
“How could everything have fallen apart like this?” she asks. She even looks at me, like I have the first idea what to say.
“I don’t know,” I reply, and I mean it. Why Jackson had to be a psycho, why I don’t remember anything about killing him. I only know he’s dead, and even if I didn’t do it, I would be the first person everyone would blame. So really, remembering wouldn’t change anything. It wouldn’t even make me feel any better because who would want to remember something like that?
“In the meantime,” he continues, “it would be a good idea to inform your security staff that there could be strangers hanging around, since I doubt these guys will give up just because we told them to. It would be better for them to be aware.”
“You’re right, of course.” But Mom still sounds vague. A little lost.
“Do you want me to talk to them?” he suggests. “I will, just say the word. I can describe the guys and let them know who to look for.”
It’s so bizarre, the way she latches onto the idea. I watch her eyes light up before she nods. “That would be helpful. Thank you. I already have so much on my mind.”
“Of course. It’s not a problem.” He picks up the bag he left by the door. “I’ll just put my things away. All I need is a room.”
A shadow of suspicion floats past her face, but it doesn’t last long. Like a part of her still wonders if she should let the wolf into the henhouse. She’s probably weighing the options. Obviously, she knows she doesn’t have many. “Allie, he can have the guest room next to yours. I’ll feel safer, knowing he’s close by.”
Not like he couldn’t sneak into my room if he was farther down the hall, but still, I have to bite the side of my tongue or else I might laugh. Not that there’s anything funny about any of this. It’s better that we leave the room before she changes her mind about the whole thing.
“That was easier than I thought it would be,” I whisper, leading him to the stairs.
“She’s not stupid. She knows she needs help.”
“She must be so scared for the ranch.” I look around me as we’re climbing the stairs. This is the only home I’ve ever known. All of my memories are here. “I don’t know where we’ll go.”
“You never know. Things could change.”
That’s true. They could.
If he’s teaching me anything, it’s how quickly everything can change. I went from hating him to needing him, body and soul. He is the only thing holding me together, and not that long ago, I was sure he was going to tear me apart.
Chapter 29
Kade
She wakes much later than I do. It’s a pattern about her that I notice after a week of sharing space with her.
I could lie here all morning, watching her sleep. It makes me feel like a stalker, but I can’t resist. She’s fascinating. Everything about her. The way her mouth hangs open partway. The way her nose twitches every once in a while. Sometimes her forehead crinkles like she’s confused or concerned in her dream.
All I want is to take that away. What is happening to me?
Whatever it is, it’s new. It’s not something I would ever admit to out loud, and I wish it would go on forever. I’ve never felt this peaceful. Like I’m where I’m meant to be. All it takes is lying next to her in bed, breathing in her sweet vanilla scent, soaking in her warmth.
She turns her head away from me, toward the window, and a lock of fire-red hair brushes against my arm. So soft, like silk. I want to wrap it around my finger, but that might wake her up, and that’s the last thing I want.
Let her rest. She went long enough without it. It’s like I’m guarding her sleep, watching over her. And she trusts me to do it. For the first time in my life, it feels like I’m doing something right.
When my phone buzzes, I silently curse whoever sent the message. I reach behind me, grabbing it off her nightstand.
Sawyer: Did some of that digging through our initial research and found some more information.
Kade: Got it. Thanks. I’ll go back over it as well.
Not many things could distract me from lying here, watching Allie, wondering what she’s dreaming of and how long I should wait before I wake her up. This is one of those things, though, and I roll away from her before replying.
After thanking Sawyer for digging more, I set the phone aside and turn my attention back to Allie. She didn’t deserve any of this. I might even blame Emma for getting her involved with a sick fuck like him—and that’s saying something, me calling someone else sick.