Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Knox reached behind her, and she became acutely aware of just how close he was. If she so much as stepped back, she’d be touching him in some way. She grabbed the burgers she had already prepared earlier, knowing he was going to be hungry. Carefully, stepping to the side so she didn’t touch him, she got to work on preparing his food.
He usually ate healthily. However, after a trip like the one he’d just been on, he often loaded up on fat and carbs, and she was more than happy to provide that for him. Slapping the burgers onto the grill, she quickly sliced some onion and got that frying as well. She had already partly cooked his fries, and after the oil had come to temperature, she got to frying them for a second time. She flipped the burgers, and she was not the type to cook a rare burger. She went for fully cooked, slathered with layers of cheese, and assembled his plate. Drained fries on one side, burger with thick cheese, lots of onions, and a few pieces of lettuce and tomato on a burger bun on the other.
Knox had already left with his beer, and she carried his food out to him. Like so many times before, she sat with him as he ate. He asked her random questions, all of which were easy to answer.
She loved taking care of him, being there for him. She knew there were many women who could do this job, but this was not a job to Ava. She loved it.
The truth was—and this terrified her—she had fallen in love with Knox the moment they had met, and over the years, her feelings had only gotten stronger.
Chapter Two
“If you want to go, just say the word,” Knox said.
Marshal let out a sigh and started to pace the main floor of his office. Ava was not saying a word, and instead, working on her knitting. They’d been going around the same track for the last two days.
There was a charity function coming up this Friday. It was a huge event, and Marshal’s wife would be there. There was a chance she was going to take a lover, or someone, and if he didn’t want to kill his wife, this was the perfect opportunity to create a very public breakup which would also expose her for hiring people to kill him. There would be police present, and all it would take was a phone call, and the right kind of people would be there.
“But what if she has men there who will ... kill me?” Marshal asked.
“That’s why Ava and myself will be there,” Knox said. “Protecting you is my highest priority, and Ava can look pretty on my arm.”
He glanced toward the sofa to see her green eyes on him. She didn’t say a word, and he wondered if he’d pissed her off. Sometimes, he really couldn’t read what was going on in Ava’s mind. Her knitting needles began to work together, and he listened to them, as Marshal continued to pace. This was his decision.
For the last couple of days since his return, Marshal hadn’t stepped foot out of his home. Now, Knox was more than happy to continue being paid for protecting Marshal, but this was starting to feel like a never-ending job. The guy was getting more terrified the longer he refused to make a decision.
“Do you seriously love this woman that much?” Ava asked, suddenly speaking up.
“What?”
“This woman, who claims to be your wife, who has put multiple hits out on you, do you love her? She’s trying to gain access to your funds. There is no love here, yet you’re acting like this is a hard decision.”
“I don’t love her, okay? I don’t,” Marshal said.
“What’s the problem then?”
“I didn’t think she was capable of trying to kill me, yet that is what happened on multiple occasions. Forgive me for feeling a little ... nervous.” Marshal ran fingers through his hair. “I’m a businessman. I thought all of this was confined to movies or special military tactics.”
Knox couldn’t help but laugh. “We’ll keep you safe. I’ve got people who owe me favors. You have all you need to expose her, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
He wanted Marshal out of his home. The night he returned and was in the process of eating his burger, he felt this connection with Ava, and he’d been about to talk to her when Marshal walked in. The last few days, every time he’d been alone, it hadn’t lasted long enough before Marshal, with his moaning demeanor, would walk right into their space and ruin the vibe. He was getting irritated by the man.
“Fine, you’re right. It’s time to face the evil witch or die trying, and I don’t want to keep living here.” Marshal nodded. “I’ll do it.”