Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Stay in the car,” Braxton grits as he undoes his seat belt.
“Am I a dog?” I reply indignantly. I might’ve come here willingly, but I won’t be told what to do.
“What?”
“Don’t tell me where to stay.”
“Fucking hell,” he mutters as he gets out. If I know one thing about Braxton, it’s that he lives for the bite. I’m not sure why he expected me to stay in the car because that’s not going to happen. Sometimes, I despise when people think they need to protect me. I’m not helpless.
I don’t need protection. It’s actually other people who need protection from me.
On top of that, if he so boldly claims he wants more from me, then I will not be a secret in his world. I don’t exactly know how it would work, but he needs to prove to me he doesn’t expect me to hide in the shadows.
Because fuck all if I’m scared of a cop, especially one like Lucas.
The moment Lucas spots Braxton, he stomps out the cigarette and heads toward him. That is, of course, until Braxton opens the passenger door and offers me his hand to help me out. Lucas is stunned, frozen in place, as Braxton leads me over by the hand, a clear statement made.
“Are— Are you fucking kidding me?” Lucas fumbles for words.
“You shouldn’t litter,” I say matter-of-factly as I point to the cigarette he left behind on the ground.
“Who the fuck—?”
Braxton stops in front of me, sizing up his partner. “Don’t speak to her like that.”
Lucas’s eyes widen. “Oh my God. You’re in love with her.”
Braxton doesn’t deny nor confirm it. My heart flutters as I realize he’s taking a stand. For me. With me. Against one of his most loyal colleagues.
“It’s late. Why don’t you come upstairs so we can quickly discuss this?” Braxton replies. “I know how this looks, but I’ll explain.”
Lucas’s mouth opens and closes, a flurry of rage rolling through him. I almost expect him to deny the offer, but then he splutters, “I-I’m not letting her come between us. There’s s-something you should know. I-I think she should leave.”
“She’s not leaving,” Braxton states.
Lucas swallows. “Okay, then let’s go upstairs. But I don’t think you’re going to like what I have to say.”
The walk up the stairs is awkward. Braxton places his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the second floor. It’s always so quiet in this building, and when I’m acutely aware of his partner glaring at my back, it makes me feel… a little stabby.
“I thought it was going to be just us when you asked me to come over,” Lucas growls, irritated. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. Braxton set this up? I go on high alert as Braxton comes to a stop at his door and unlocks it.
Fuck. What if this is an ambush? I offer a tight smile as Braxton pushes me into the room, and his partner follows. A low twist in my stomach stirs as I get the feeling that something is off.
His partner leans into him, and I can just hear as he asks if they can talk in private as he looks over his shoulder at me. Something isn’t right. Braxton is watching me carefully, and I’m certain he already knows I’m ready to run out the fucking door. But he’s blocking the way. If I leave now, it’ll only seem more suspicious. But he organized for Lucas and me to both come here. Did I fall for a trap?
“I’ll go to the bathroom and give you a few minutes to speak,” I say with a tight smile.
Braxton grabs my elbow and slides his hand down to mine as I walk past him. I look over my shoulder at him, and he mouths, “Trust me.”
Then, my gaze flicks to Lucas, who is still glaring at me. Trust him, my ass. I’m in a fucking trap.
The moment I’m in the bathroom, I call my father. He answers on the second ring. “I think I’ve fucked up. Can you come and get me?” I whisper quietly and then hang up. I don’t wait for my father’s reply; I simply send him my location as I lock the bathroom door behind me and scan the space for a weapon.
Fucking minimalist asshole. At best, I have a pair of trimming scissors. I scoop them up and sit at the edge of the bathtub, and my ears strain to hear what they’re saying. I think Lucas is attempting to whisper, but Braxton’s apartment echoes. Braxton must know this, but he speaks clearly and precisely. Everything feels off. Why did he invite Lucas here when he had every intention of bringing me here, too? I’m literally trapped in a bathroom with no fucking window or other way of escape.
“You need to get away from her immediately,” Lucas whispers. “I thought you were smarter than getting involved with the enemy.”