Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Wes winked. “They probably knew I was coming.”
He parallel parked like a pro, and I was surprised when he got out of the car and jogged around to open my door.
“Thank you. Is this part of your bodyguard duties?”
“Doesn’t need to be in the job description for a man to treat a lady like she should be treated.”
His answer made me smile. “I’ll be right back.”
When I returned, Wes was leaning against the passenger door. He pushed off and took the sandwich platter from my hands, settling it in the backseat before opening the passenger door for me. I’d started to fold into the car when a man’s voice stopped me.
“Jules?”
None other than Jett was standing on the sidewalk. He walked over to kiss my cheek. “I thought that was you.”
Wes folded his arms across his chest and stood taller. I’d never thought Jett was short or thin, but standing next to Wes, he looked a little of both. Wes’s shoulders were almost twice the size of his. Jett looked at Wes, and I had no choice but to introduce them. “Jett, this is Wes…a family friend.”
Jett held out his hand, and for a second, Wes just stared at it. I thought he was going to embarrass me, but eventually he shook. “How ya doing?”
Jett nodded.
“I spent all day working on The Hunted,” I told him. “I can’t wait to share it with you.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait to read it.” Jett pointed to the restaurant next door to Brewer’s. “I’m meeting Arnie Edmunds for drinks. Are you guys going to Mesita?”
“No, I just picked up some food for my book club tonight.”
“Nice.” He looked at his watch. “I’m already late, so I have to run. It’s never good to keep actors waiting. You know how they are.”
I smiled. “I do.”
Jett kissed my cheek again and waved to Wes, who gave him a curt nod.
The drive home was quiet, until Wes’s phone rang. He picked it up and held it to his ear. “Hey. What’s up?”
I heard someone talking on the other end but couldn’t make out most of what they said. Though I thought I heard, “Landed at LAX.” We pulled up to my house just as Wes hung up, and his jaw seemed pretty tense.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“Yep.” He jumped out of the car and looked around the street before opening my door. Then he took the sandwich tray out of the backseat. I held out my hands to take it, but he shook his head. “I got it.”
“We discussed this already. You’re not coming to my book club meeting.”
“I’m at least going to check out the house. Your friend’s not home yet anyway. Her car isn’t in the driveway.”
“Do you really think someone broke into Pam’s house and is hiding there to get me when I go to my book club?”
“Just let me do my damn job, and both our lives will be easier.”
I huffed. “Fine. But you only have two minutes.”
Inside Pam’s house, Wes did a full sweep—going from room to room while I stood in the kitchen.
“Was the boogeyman waiting for me?” I asked when he returned.
Wes shook his head. “I’ll be outside in the car.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever…”
After I was alone, I went about setting everything up. People started to arrive just as I set the last chair into place. And at seven, our official start time, Pam walked in. Unfortunately, she wasn’t alone. Her arm was linked with Wes’s.
“I saw this handsome man sitting outside in his car,” she said. “And I insisted he come in.”
I walked over and took Wes’s other arm. “I must’ve forgotten to give him my key again. Excuse us for a moment.” I practically shoved him back out the front door.
“You’re not coming to book club,” I hissed, attempting to keep my voice down.
“Fine with me. I only came in because your friend practically dragged me out of the car. She’s a pushy one.”
I shook my head. “Just go next door. You already checked out the house, and you know I’m not in any danger. You’ll be thirty feet away.”
“I’ll stay outside, but I’ll be in my car or sitting on the porch.”
“Why are you being such an ass about this?”
“You want to know why? I’ll tell you why. Because that call I got in the car a little while ago was someone letting me know that your father’s enemies have landed in LA, specifically two guys who have been arrested for murder more than once but always seem to get off, even though they shouldn’t. So you’re lucky I’m even saying I’ll sit out here because I shouldn’t let you out of my damn sight.”
Shit. “People are going to be coming and going all night. I don’t want them feeling uncomfortable with some guy watching their every move.”