Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Funny.” I rose to my feet.
Every molecule of my body was attuned to her. I wouldn’t have been able to look away if I tried. The heat burned beneath my skin.
“I need to check on Charlie,” she said breathily as I moved toward her.
“All right,” I agreed. As I reached her, I lifted my hand and ran one finger gently across her nipple.
“Holy shit,” she hissed, catching my hand as I dropped it. “Do it again.”
I smiled.
That’s when the door to our room swung open, and Charlie hurried into the room.
“Someone’s at my door,” he breathed, his eyes wide and frightened. “Two men. Not the manager.”
“Stay here,” I ordered, striding toward the door that connected our rooms. When I got to his room, I paused next to the door.
It would’ve been easier to hear the two men if Charlie and Lucy hadn’t been whispering to each other, but after a few moments, I’d heard enough of the men’s conversation.
They’d been told to go in quietly, so they’d been hoping that Charlie would just open the door. While I stood there listening to the idiots, they decided to wait him out. They figured he’d have to leave the room at some point, and they’d take him then. No need for a fuss. He’d probably come quietly.
I waited for another minute after they’d walked away from the door before I headed back into the other room. Charlie and Lucy stood side by side just outside the bathroom door.
“Get dressed, baby,” I ordered quietly, nodding to her bag.
“Who are those guys?” Lucy asked as she kneeled down to pull her clothes out.
“Not friends,” I replied simply. “Charlie, go get your bag.”
“They won’t try to get in?”
“No.”
“You’re sure?”
“You think I’d send you back if I thought they would?”
He nodded and hurried away.
“The bogeymen found us, didn’t they?” Lucy asked as she tugged a T-shirt over her pajama top.
“Looks like it.”
“Fuck.”
“They’re idiots.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” she snapped as she shoved her sleep shorts down her hips. They fell to her ankles, and I nearly cursed at the sight of the tiny pair of panties that barely covered anything.
“You know I need to fucking focus, right?” I asked as she twisted and bent to grab a pair of jeans.
Her ass was bare. Fucking hell.
“Oh, please,” she said, stepping into her jeans. “People wear these on public beaches.”
“Someday,” I said, turning to make my way over to the phone. “I’m going to pay you back for this.”
“Oh, I’m scared.” She shivered dramatically as she buttoned her jeans. “Are you going to strip while I’m trying to do my taxes?”
“No, I’m going to spank your ass.”
Lucy’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
“Don’t worry,” I said as I turned back toward the phone. “You’ll like it.”
Beau answered immediately. “Where are you?”
“I’m good,” I said sarcastically as Charlie carried his bag into the room. “And you?”
Beau laughed.
“We’re in Montana.”
“You’re making good time.”
“Time’s up,” I replied flatly.
“Shit.”
“How soon can you get here?”
“Couple of hours,” Beau said. I could hear him moving through the house as his breathing changed.
“That’ll work.”
“Can you meet us at the closest airport?”
I looked over at Charlie and Lucy, who were watching me intently, both of them pale.
“No.”
“Got it. We’ll come to you. How many?”
“Two that I know of.”
“So…double that.”
“At least. I heard them talking about waiting Charlie out so they could keep things quiet, so I don’t think they’ll try to make entry. With luck, we’ll have until morning.”
“When have you had any luck?” he asked dryly. “Are you armed?”
Striding over to the backpack I’d carried all over Europe and back, I stuffed my hand inside and pulled out my always reliable Glock 19.
“One full magazine.”
“Fuck.”
“Probably all I’d need.”
Beau chuckled, then quieted when I described exactly where the motel was and which room we were in. I fucking hated sitting on my ass and waiting for them to come bail me out, but I wasn’t stupid enough to try to get Lucy and Charlie out on my own. It wasn’t worth the risk. I just hoped that whoever was with those idiots at the door didn’t convince them to come for Charlie while he was sleeping.
“Sit tight. We’ll be in the air in half an hour, tops,” Beau said quietly.
“Will do.”
I hung up the phone and turned to face the siblings.
“I know how to shoot,” Lucy announced bravely, straightening her shoulders. “I dated a cop for like ten minutes.”
“Good to know,” I replied, glancing at Charlie.
“Don’t dismiss me.”
I looked back to find her glaring at me. “I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m glad to know that you can handle a weapon.” Even if I had my doubts. “But we have exactly one pistol, and it’s mine.”
“Oh,” Lucy replied, her shoulders slumping. “Right.”
“We just need to be patient, baby,” I said calmly. “Cavalry is on its way.”
“They just want me,” Charlie said quietly. “I could just—”