Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“On it.” He has his phone to his ear. “Someone will come out and tap the wire directly.”
“That’s going to take time.” I survey the area. This is a barely developed part of Northpoint full of new strip malls, a movie theatre, and discount big lot stores. The closest motel is about ten minutes away. The next town over is a resort town, but moving her out by boat would take way too long. The best possible option is to fly her out from another airport.
“We got a tip!” Another man comes running forward. “Someone spotted two men wearing black suits carrying a large object in a sleeping bag into the motel on Cherry.”
“That’s it. Roll out.”
We climb in and are at the motel in under ten minutes. I go and speak to the clerk, and with a little assistance from Mr. Glock, walk away with the room number. I direct Todd to the back of the motel while I take the front. I knock on the door and cover the peephole with my hand.
“Who is it?” shouts someone inside.
“Housekeeping,” I lie.
“We don’t need anything,” comes the reply.
I give a chin nod to my man, who boots the lock with his heel. The door pops open. I charge in low while my man covers the high point. Immediately, I see Bell on the bed. She’s gagged, and her hands are tied behind her back. She sees me and sits up. The man next to her raises his arm, as if he’s about to hit her. I shoot his arm. He spins and cries out, cradling it. I shoot the man next to me, and then the one coming out of the bathroom. I hear two shots behind me from my cover.
“Clear,” shouts my man. There are five bodies on the floor. All of them are still alive—for now. I shove the gun into my waistband and race over to Bell, ripping the gag out of her mouth and untying her hands.
I don’t waste time with a reunion. I pick her up in my arms and run out of the motel. “You okay?” I ask as I hurry toward the SUV that Todd has waiting.
“You shot someone.”
“Three people,” I admit. “I’d do it again, too.”
She throws her arms around my neck and buries her face into my chest. “I love you so much, Jackson. Take me home.”
“I’m on it, Dollface. I love you too.”
CHAPTER 20
BELL
“You said I was going home. This was a trick!” I huff, folding my arms over my chest as I sit in the hospital bed.
“I’m sorry, Dollface. I only want to make sure you’re okay. The doctors are almost done with their tests. I’ll take you home as soon as I know everything is okay.”
“I don’t need any tests. I know what’s wrong with me.” It was a panic attack, nothing more. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to tell him that, but I need to. He’s so strong and badass, while I freak out and become paralyzed when I’m scared.
“There is nothing wrong with you,” he counters quickly.
“Then why am I here?” I push back, but I’m only teasing.
“You know what I mean.” He looms over the side of my bed.
He’s barely left my side, but I think that’s about to change. Two police officers and two men in suits are now looming in the doorway of my hospital room. I’m guessing they have a bunch of questions.
“I think your attention is required.” I nod toward the door, but Jackson already knows the men are there.
The man misses nothing. I knew my man was a bit of a powerhouse, but seeing him in action inside that motel room was something else altogether. Those men never stood a chance. I swear in a blink of an eye he had them taken care of and was carrying me out to safety.
“They can fuck off.” He doesn’t bother giving them a glance.
“Knight. Please. A moment,” one of them in a suit says.
“Call Brookes,” he snaps back at them.
“I spoke to the governor. I really only need two seconds of your time, please.”
“I’m fine. Go deal with this and then take me home.” I grab the front of his shirt and pull him down for a kiss. “I love you. Please go handle it.”
“You’re not playing fair,” he grumbles.
“Never said I would. Now go handle whatever this is.” I wave my hand toward the doorway. I’m realizing my Jackson has a higher pull and a bigger security company than I knew.
“I love you too, Dollface, but don’t move your little ass from this bed,” he orders me.
“I’d never make it out of the room. I bet you have a man on guard right outside the door.”
“Three,” he corrects, making me laugh. When he doesn’t so much as crack a smile, I know he’s serious. Some people might think it’s overkill, but I love the fact that he does whatever he thinks is necessary to keep me safe.