Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“The windows are bulletproof. It’s perfectly safe to enjoy the view.”
“Is this a safehouse, or a prison?” I asked.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he came into the room and stood by the window, gazing out at the trees. “It’s a bit of both,” he said, finally. “But it’s yours. For now.” At least he didn’t lie to me. I could deal with honesty. That way, I could prepare for the immediate future.
Once he left, I unpacked my bag. There were fresh clothes in the closet. My favorite shampoo was already in the shower. Someone had put several bottles of my brand of water in the fridge. I opened one and drank half in one go, then paced the length of the suite until my heartbeat slowed.
The sun set fast behind the ridge. I watched the sky go dark, the stars push through the black. I waited for the fear to settle, but it didn’t.
After a while, I stopped pacing and lay down on the bed. The sheets smelled fresh and clean and the cool pillow felt soothing against my cheek. I closed my eyes and decided I’d figure it all out after some rest. Surprisingly, I drifted off easily.
* * *
The next morning, a woman with a headset and a tablet knocked on my door. She looked younger than I but had the bearing of someone who’d been at this a while. She told me her name was Mae, and led me through the main part of the house to the great room.
Antonio sat at the head of a long dining table, scrolling his phone with a cup of coffee in front of him. He looked up and watched me cross the room, his gaze taking me in. I kept my chin up, because I knew I absolutely could not show weakness to this man.
Seth Miles entered from the kitchen. He wore charcoal gray slacks and a black silk shirt open at the throat. He’d rolled up his sleeves, displaying tanned, muscular forearms. A tattoo snaked around one arm to the top of his hand. He stood as tall as his son but wasn’t as broad-shouldered. His movements were graceful and full of controlled power. It was easy to see the resemblance between the two men.
He fixed his gaze on me and, try as I might, I couldn’t keep from looking away.
“Miss Garrison,” he said. “I’m pleased you made the journey safely.” I could tell he meant what he said. His voice was warm, but not soft, but this wasn’t a man you crossed. Ever. He sat across from me. Antonio seemed to ignore us as Seth studied me for a few seconds. “I trust my son has made you comfortable.”
“I should thank you for your hospitality,” I said. “Though, I confess, I didn’t expect this.” I waved my hand to indicate the opulent surroundings.
Seth’s mouth ticked up at the corner. “You’re very welcome, my dear.” He poured coffee into a second cup and slid it across the table to me. “But I suspect you have questions.”
I looked at Antonio. He maintained his poker face, but his knuckles had gone white around the coffee mug. I was supposed to make this easy for them, to say thank you, accept the food, shelter, and the security, and go along with whatever they decided to do with me. Unfortunately for everyone involved, that wasn’t going to work for me. “Who tried to hit Haven?” I asked. “And why do they want me?”
Seth didn’t blink. “You come to the point quickly. Good.” He looked at Antonio, then back at me. “The first answer is Iron. The second answer is less clear. By simply surviving, you’ve made some powerful enemies. I believe Iron is acting on behalf of someone else, but my men are still mapping out the network.”
I took the cup but didn’t drink. “Is there a third answer?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re a convenient leverage against my son.” He said it with zero judgment. “There is no shortage of people who would like to test the Miles family. Some think the best way is through those we have an interest in.”
I could feel Antonio’s stare, but I didn’t look at him. “I’m of no interest to Antonio.”
Seth actually chuckled as he shook his head… almost like he thought I was too cute for words. “He disagrees, I think,” he said, nodding at Antonio with a grin so much like a wolf in a fable my stomach turned over. “My son doesn’t make a habit of bringing home women he doesn’t care about. Not for any reason.”
I risked a glance. He kept his jaw locked and didn’t confirm or deny. I set the coffee mug down. “That’s not my concern. I need to know how long I’m a target.”
Seth sat back in his chair and considered me. “Realistically? Until we put Iron in the ground. Or until whoever’s paying him stops caring about you. Which could be never.” That was about what I expected, but confirmation did not make it better.