Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“Maybe like season one.”
“Scarlet!” I gasp, scandalized. “I’m floored right now. You give mega Blaire vibes, and yes, I’m sort of calling you a bitch, but in a good way, because she’s my favorite.”
“There’s a good way to call someone a bitch?”
“Yes, and you know it. Forget Enemies & Escrow—we’re going to the Upper Eastside.”
She laughs softly and then says, “I’m turning on your street now.”
“Are they still behind you?” I spring to my feet and head for my safe.
“Yes.” Her voice shakes.
“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the driveway. Turn in and head straight down to the house. Keep your doors locked and wait for me.”
“What if they follow?”
“Then they’ll fucking deal with me.” I punch in the code and then pop open the door. I grab my gun, check the magazine and chamber, and head for the front door.
I park my truck at the end of my driveway, with my headlights facing the direction Scarlet will come from, and drum my thumbs against the steering wheel as I wait.
Her headlights come into view, and my entire body tenses. “I see you, Princess. Remember what I said to do?”
“Straight for the house, stay in the car.”
“Good girl.” My voice is a lethal rumble as she turns past me.
Sure enough, the car behind her flashes their brights and accelerates so quickly they nearly clip my truck as they fly past me.
I whip around to get their tag number, but they don’t have one. “Motherfucker!” I shout, wishing like hell he would’ve stepped to me. At least then, I could’ve put an end to all of this.
I wait a few minutes to make sure he’s not coming back before heading back to the house and parking next to Scarlet. The second I throw open my door, Scarlet’s there, literally climbing up onto my running board and throwing herself into my arms.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I murmur, letting my arms hang limply at my side as I try to calm her. “You’re okay now. You’re safe.”
“I-I’ve never been s-s-so scared in m-my life.” She’s shaking like a leaf as she clings to me.
“How can I help?” I ask, shocked by just how much I mean it. While it’s true Scarlet and I have a checkered past, the thought of someone terrorizing her, possibly hurting her, is enough to send me into a fucking rage.
“Hold me,” she whispers, clinging to me. “Please.”
I inhale sharply, sucking in a deep lungful of her sweet, citrussy scent, before bringing my arms up and wrapping them around her.
She shudders against me, tears seeping into the fabric of my shirt, as I hold her. “Let’s go inside, okay?”
Scarlet nods, but when I try to set her down, she grips me tighter.
“Wrap your arms around my neck,” I tell her. “I’ll carry you.”
She nods again, and I slide one around her middle while bracing the other arm beneath her. “I’ve got you, Scar. You’re safe now. I promise.”
“How can you promise that?”
“I have cameras and a security system.” I step down from the truck and walk inside with Scarlet clutched to my chest. “And If this piece of shit gets past those, I’ll end him.”
She sniffles as I set her down. “You mean that?”
“Cross my fucking heart, Princess.” I cup her cheek, looking down into her tear-streaked brown eyes. “Now, make yourself comfy while I lock up.”
I watch as she shuffles into the couch before I slip out the front door to do a quick perimeter sweep. Once I’m certain we’re clear, I head back inside, lock the door, and arm my system.
I find Scarlet in the living room cuddled up on the couch, her knees drawn under her chin, with my favorite blanket tucked around her. She looks… small. Scared. Terrified actually. She's pale and quiet with tear-stained cheeks and red eyes—visibly distressed.
I don’t fucking like it. It’s… so far beyond unsettling, I’m not even sure how to process it. My girl’s typically mouthy, combative… the kind of person you’d expect to talk shit till the bitter end—and definitely not my girl. What the fuck?
So, yeah, seeing her like this does something to me. Something I’m not sure I understand much less like, but something all the same.
“You good, Princess?” I ask.
She sniffles and pulls the blanket tighter around herself. “I just...” She shrugs helplessly. “I don't understand. It truly makes no sense. Like, why?” A tear escapes trails down her cheek. “Why would someone stalk me?”
Unfortunately, my lips lift into a smirk, my mouth running faster than my brain. “You know, I was wondering the same thing.”
I’m half expecting her to blow up, but she just smiles at me and swipes away the tears gathering along her lashes. “Shut up, Officer Jackass.”
There’s no real heat behind her words. If anything, she sounds… relieved. Guess me and my bullshit aren’t always unwelcome.