Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
“I can’t stop thinking about it. I know it sounds crazy, but it sounded like something Wolf would say.” A pained look crosses her face, and she takes a long pull from her bourbon. “He used to reference movies, especially Disney movies. The way the threat was worded reminded me of The Wizard of Oz. I’ll get you, my pretty. I’ll come for you and your guard dogs, too.”
The mention of Wolf is a fist in my chest. My son, my tortured boy who I never had the chance to know, to save. He’s a bleeding wound inside me, reminding me of my failures as a father. My grief over him festers every day, ready to consume me at a moment’s notice.
“I promise you.” I grip her hand, holding it tightly as if she might slip away. “I’ll find whoever is threatening you. They won’t get near you. Sirena has a team searching for Wolf’s body, and we’ll pull more resources to track this person down.”
“Who knows about those flight logs and where you found them?”
“Melanie Stokes, Alvis Duncan…” My shoulders go rigid, bracing for her reaction. “And Sirena and her team.”
“It could be her.” She pulls her hand from mine, sitting stiffly on the lounge chair.
“It could be anyone. The riddle said this is someone from your past.” I throw back my whiskey, swallowing half of it. “Could be an ex-boyfriend or someone you knew in Anchorage.”
“How would an ex-boyfriend know about those flight logs?”
“Why would Sirena be stalking you?”
“She wants you. And maybe Leo and Kody, too. I don’t trust her.”
“Then I’ll hire someone else to investigate this.”
“I think that’s best.”
“Whatever you wish.” Resigned, I finish my drink.
She nods, but the fear in her eyes remains. “Kody’s made a lot of progress with the distillery renovations.” She sips her drink. “He’s building a small apartment in the back and wants Leo and me to move in with him.”
Her words cleave me in half, a cold blade of jealousy and horror. The idea of her living with them, unprotected, with a stalker on the loose…no fucking way. I’ll do everything in my power to prevent it.
“What about us?” I fight to keep my composure. “The family you wanted me to nurture?”
“My relationship with Leo and Kody causes you pain.” She swallows, looking away. “I don’t want to stand in the way of the bond you’re building with them.”
“You’re not in the way.” My voice rises. “You’re the center of it. The one holding us together.”
“I think you’re doing great with them, Monty. I mean it.”
“I’m trying. But I can’t do it without you. I won’t.”
“I can’t stay here. I can’t stay on this island and pretend we’re married and everything is fine.”
“I’ll ignore the comment about our marriage, for now, and focus on the glaring hole in your plan. You’re not safe out there. The only place you’re safe is here, with me. This island is fortified, guarded. I can protect you.”
“I know you can. But I can’t keep doing this to you. I can’t be with Leo and Kody under your roof. It’s not fair to you. Not now that I know your intentions are pure.”
I wouldn’t call my intentions pure. Not by a long shot.
“Frankie.” I pull in a calming breath. “I appreciate that you’re trying to protect my feelings, but I need you to stop. I can handle it. I’ve been handling it. What I can’t handle is you living elsewhere, knowing you’re in danger.” I tilt my head and try a different tactic. “How will Leo and Kody pursue their careers while trying to watch over and protect you every second of every day?”
“You’re right.” She lowers her face to her hands and groans. “Fuck!”
“I want you to be safe.” I shift, desperate to erase the distance and pull her onto my lap.
“I know. Dammit, I just want to go back to work. Every threat, every violation, makes it harder for me to do that.”
“I understand.” My heart aches for her. I know how much she loves her job, how much she needs it to feel whole. “But your safety comes first.”
She straightens, looking up at me with those intelligent eyes. “Okay, I’ll stay here. But they’re staying with me.”
“Okay.” I smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You need sleep. Come on.”
I lead her to the guest bedroom across the hall from mine, tucking her into bed. She looks so small, so vulnerable. I lean down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“I’ll watch over you,” I whisper. “I love you, Frankie.”
“I know. That’s part of the problem.” Her eyes grow heavy, closing as sleep tries to claim her.
Perched on the bed beside her, I watch her breathe. This woman, my wife, my world. I will do whatever it takes to protect her, to keep her safe. No matter the cost.