Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
She was right, but it still bothered me. “Like I spell his name in my head S-H-A-W-N and his is spelled S-E-A-N.”
“So what? My brother wouldn’t care. Trust me.”
“He’s gone, and he gave me everyone’s number but his,” I grumbled.
Lizzy came over and wrapped me in a hug. I dissolved in a heap of tears. I wanted to blame it on pregnancy hormones, but that wasn’t the truth.
“Trust me when I say he’s not keeping secrets from you. He’s keeping you safe. That’s what he does. He keeps even me in the dark. Though he acts like a villain, he’s honestly a hero.”
Bailey came over and she started crying too. “Oh boy, look at us. A bunch of pregnant women crying.”
“You two are. I’m fine,” Lizzy said and wiped at a tear.
A knock came at the door. I stepped away from the pair and went to open it, knowing who stood on the other side as I’d called down to security earlier to give permission for her to come up. Kelsey entered.
“Hey,” Lizzy said. “I remember you. You work for Griff.”
“Yeah,” Kelsey said. Her hair was bone straight today, glossy black and bouncy.
“Going somewhere?” I asked Kelsey, grateful for a subject change.
“Where is Griff?” Lizzy asked almost at the same time as I spoke.
“Griff is pretending to be some starlet’s bodyguard,” Kelsey answered.
Bailey asked, “He’s a bodyguard now?”
“He was requested, and for the amount of money she’s paying us, he’ll entertain her personal request,” Kelsey answered with a roll of her eyes.
“Someone’s jealous,” Lizzy said.
Kelsey let out of humorless laugh. “No reason to be. He’s in his element.” Griffin was a flirt, and we all knew it. But even I could see that Kelsey might have a thing for her boss. “Anyway, I got your transport back to Chicago.”
“You’re leaving?” Bailey asked.
“It’s time to get back to reality,” I said.
“Matty brought you here for a reason,” Lizzy said.
“And he left me. I promised him a week. It’s time I got back to my life.” Truth was, Ruin would be looking for Shawn over me. Ruin was the kind of man who would underestimate a woman. He would likely think Shawn removed my tracker, but I was still with him. I felt sure I was safe to return alone.
“Do you have time for lunch?” Bailey asked.
Kelsey answered for me. “Actually, no.” She laid out the plan and reiterated all the reasons I couldn’t get on a commercial flight. Bailey packed up lunch and sent half with me and Kelsey.
Griffin’s company was moving equipment for this job with this starlet and another job he had. Because of a threat and potential violence from a stalker, he needed an armored car, among other things, to get there quickly.
There were several other large crates on the plane that I didn’t ask about as we boarded unconventionally from the back of the plane.
I wondered if Shawn would be pissed when he heard I was headed back to Chicago.
28
MATT
Griff came through again. Lucky for me, Kalen was heading for Chicago on business and I was going to hitch a ride with him since the other King brothers weren’t available to fly me.
I was first to arrive on board the Kings’ private company plane. The interior was as comfortable as a luxury hotel, with soft leather seats and finished with maple paneling.
As I settled into my seat, I couldn’t help but feel bad I’d left Tayla. I wanted to stay with her after she asked me to. But I couldn’t.
I called my handler.
“You finally decided to check in,” she said.
“Cortez made contact. He wants me to take over the business for him while he’s inside. My first task is to find his wife.”
“Did he give you a time line?”
“Forty-eight hours and that time is up,” I said.
“Then why are you calling?”
“I need my old place.”
“I told you we moved you out.”
She may have said that, but the government was slow moving. Plus, it was a good asset to keep, as they could use it as a safe house if need be.
“That doesn’t mean it’s not available.”
“Convince me why you should move back in.”
“Temporarily. It fits my cover. I know the place. A hotel could put me and guests at risk.”
“And an apartment wouldn’t do the same?”
“Maybe, but again, I know the place.”
“Not much to know,” she said.
“Maybe not. But there is the escape through the vents if things go south.”
She waited a moment before giving in. “Fine. Don’t get yourself or anyone else killed.”
We ended the call as Kalen walked in dressed in a tailored suit, as if he was ready to buy a planet, and took the seat across from mine.
“You made it,” he said, giving me a friendly nudge. “I wasn’t sure, given it was an early flight.”
“Thanks,” I said. Kalen and I hadn’t been on the best of terms, though we managed to get along. “I should probably apologize.”