Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
My eyes widened. “What?” I whispered. “I thought the girls at the club had been dropping those things off for us. I was just so tired and emotionally worn out that I never asked. I didn’t think to.”
“It was Wayon.” He said his name like a curse. “He wants to talk to you. Alone. Here. Apologize for scaring you.”
I stiffened. “Here? At Linc’s house?”
I was still processing that a guy I’d met once stalked me and bought us groceries. He’d been engaged.
“Yes,” Than said tightly. “Seems he was already in town.” His eyes flashed angrily. “Imagine that.”
I blew out a breath. “When is he coming here?”
“Now,” he said through clenched teeth.
There were many things I should be concerned with right now, but the one thing I wanted to know was, “Is this why Linc was yelling at you?”
He nodded, cutting his eyes at me. “Yes.”
“Because you don’t want me to talk to Wayon?”
“I don’t want him near you.” Than scowled.
There was that hope again. Stirring in my chest. Wanting to take flight and soar. For him to talk back to Linc, wouldn’t that mean he felt something for me? Something more than a friendship? Afraid of him bursting my bubble yet wanting to have confirmation that he cared, I fought the desire to ask him why he didn’t want Wayon near me.
“He won’t hurt me, will he?” I asked.
Than shook his head as he glared out over the backyard. “No. I’ll be right outside the door. You call my name, and I’ll kill the bastard. I don’t give a fuck who he is.”
Now, that I did not want to happen. For starters, he didn’t need to kill Wayon over this. Second, I was almost positive that boss guy would be angry. And I didn’t want Than to be punished, nor did I want to think about what that punishment might be.
“It should be fine. He can explain or apologize or whatever, and then he will leave. It will be over.”
Realization slowly dawned on me. I’d not have a reason to be here. I could go back to Monroe. My chest tightened. I didn’t want to leave Than yet. I was supposed to have three months.
How ironic that, almost three weeks ago, I thought I’d be suffering through the time with him. Now, the idea of leaving him made me feel ill.
“That’s a good thing, Six. You don’t have to be scared of the fucker anymore,” he said, reaching over to cover my hands, which I had clasped together, with one of his.
It didn’t even register with him. My leaving wasn’t something he dreaded.
“I know,” I replied.
His brows drew together as he studied me when the patio door opened. I tore my eyes off Than to see who it was. Anything to keep my heart from breaking more.
Ransom and Bane stepped outside.
“Motherfucker,” Than muttered, standing up and walking over toward them.
I stayed where I was, thankful I had a moment to pull myself together. This was always the plan—to leave. It was just sooner than I’d anticipated. Why had I told Linc that I’d come here because of the letters? That I’d been scared of them and that was my reason for blackmailing Jericho?
I sighed. I’d been planning on leaving then. That was before Than became something more. Things had changed so quickly.
“No!” Than shouted, and my head snapped around to look at him.
Bane looked annoyed, and Ransom was scowling as he spoke to him. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about.
“Why? That’s not fucking necessary,” Than said loudly and stepped back from both of them.
“For Christ’s sake, would you get a grip? It’s not like you’re being sent across the country. Jesus, stop with the dramatics,” Bane drawled.
Ransom grabbed Than’s arm, and he tried to jerk away.
“What the fuck? What are you planning to do? Drag me out?” Than demanded.
“If I have to, you stupid fucker. I’m trying to save your ass. You’ve been instructed to leave the premises. Just while Wayon is here. When he leaves, you can come right back and get her,” Ransom said angrily.
“This is bullshit!” Than turned to look back at me. His gaze was tortured.
The knot in my chest grew until there wasn’t any room left.
“It’s okay,” I lied. I hated that they were forcing him to leave when he wanted to stay so badly. “I’ll be fine.”
He started toward me, and both Bane’s and Ransom’s arms shot out to stop him. Rage lit his face as his blue eyes blazed. I had to make this okay for him. He was worried about me. He might not love me, but he cared. I could hold on to that.
“You have less than five minutes before he arrives. We have to get you out of here,” Ransom told him.
“I am fine,” I said, wanting to go to him, but afraid of the other two.