Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
“I’m hoping there’s no fire at all.”
He stared down into those gorgeous deep brown eyes of hers. “What’s your read on Levi? Is he still interested after all these years? Beck believes so. Charlotte is more hopeful. She thinks he might have moved on since he’s engaged now. She hopes he might not care anymore since he’s found a way to get what he wants without Solo.”
Ariel went back down on her heels. “You’re asking me if Levi is still a problem? If he’s still obsessing over Solo?”
“Yes.” Her opinion was the one that would inform how he operated, how careful he was.
“He will not have forgotten for a single second. Whoever he’s marrying means nothing to him because there’s only Solo. It’s odd when you think about it. He’s a dark mirror for Beck. Beck can’t get over her and neither can Levi. You will have to kill Levi for Solo to be safe.”
He took a deep breath. “And that’s why I got a boat and a chopper.”
She smiled brilliantly. “You are always prepared, love. Now kiss me and take me to bed because I don’t think this is the easy in and out op Beck was talking about.”
“He only wants to get in and get a lay of the land before he makes contact with her.” Rob had his doubts, too. Things always got complex between those two.
“He won’t be able to let go.” Her hands moved up to caress his chest, pressing under the cotton of his shirt. “When he sees her, he’ll have to protect her. He won’t let her be alone.”
“That’s kind of what I’m afraid of,” Rob admitted. “Solo ran. She didn’t want to be found.”
“All you can do is make sure your team has everything they need.” She brushed her lips against his. “And tell my friend I miss her and I want her to meet our daughter.”
Their baby girl. Daraja. She was as beautiful as her name, as lovely as her mother.
“I will,” he promised. His wife was right. He had some time, and he knew exactly how he wanted to spend it. With Dara sleeping peacefully, he had a chance to show her mother how much he would miss her. He picked up his wife and carried her back to bed.
* * * *
Laramie, Wyoming
Tucker watched the plane land and turned to his wife. “It’s time. Are you sure you can handle the clinic, because we can call in some friends to help cover my patients.”
Roni rolled her eyes. “I can handle your patients and my patients. We don’t have that many patients. It’s a small town. Now go and play hero. I would say one last time, but we all know it won’t be. I’m surprised it took this long.”
“Because this isn’t my life anymore,” he countered. He needed to make her understand how much he loved their life together. He wouldn’t trade it for anything. Their rural clinic was all he needed. “You are. Our kids are.”
He had three. Violet. Gavin. Aurora. They were back in Jennings with his mom and Roni’s. Sandra had moved from Dallas after Aurora had been born and opened a new business.
“I know,” she said with a smile. They were standing outside the private terminal, the stars all around them, but nothing was as bright as his wife’s smile. “But this is family. Rob is going to be there. I’m glad you get to spend some time with him. It’s been months since you saw him, and they have a baby now. He’s going to need you.”
He hadn’t even had a chance to meet his niece. Life had been so busy, and the distance had taken its toll. He couldn’t help but be excited to see his brothers. Talking on the phone wasn’t the same. “I hope I remember how to do this.”
He wished he’d kept up his training at the shooting range, but he rather thought when the time came he wouldn’t have trouble shooting Levi Green. He would never forget how to do that.
The plane had come to a stop and the door came open, then Jax was standing on the stairs.
“Tucker! My brother! Let’s get going. We’ve got beer, and Theo brought board games. Hey, Roni!”
He had to laugh because his brothers never changed. When they got together they were all dumb kids enjoying each other’s company.
Roni waved to Jax. “Don’t let him drink too much beer. I want him back in the same physically fit condition I sent him off in.” She turned to him and went up on her toes to kiss him. “Be safe. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He held her close. “I’ll be home soon.”
He prayed he could keep that promise.
Chapter Nine
Kim stepped out into the sunlight with a sigh and immediately caught sight of her uncle sitting on the patio sipping his midmorning tea.