Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“Why would I not trust you, Brad? Have you done something untrustworthy?”
His face grew pale.
What was going on with him? A headache was making it hard for her to think, her stomach rolling with nausea. Shoving the papers into her handbag, she turned to the door.
“Wait, Autumn, I’m not finished talking to you.”
She was.
“I wanted to talk to you about that biker that was at your neighbor’s the other day!”
Huh? Turning, she gaped at him.
“You should stay away from him.”
Who was he talking about? Jake?
“He looks unsavory.”
Why did he look like he was hiding something?
“I’m not yours to worry about, Brad. Jake isn’t dangerous.” Maybe.
“Why are you being so difficult? I’m worried about you!”
That was a lie. Brad only worried about himself.
She walked through the other office and outside.
“Autumn!”
Was he insane? She kept moving without looking back.
Reaching her car, she started searching through her handbag for her keys. Her hand shook. What was wrong with her? Tears blurred her vision and she sniffled.
Where were those damn keys?
“Autumn!”
She stiffened. But that wasn’t Brad’s voice. Turning, she sought out the familiar face of her Brody-bear.
Biting back a sob, she headed toward him. She could barely make out his features by the time she reached him.
He tugged her against him.
“I thought I told you not to come.”
He huffed out a breath. “Like I was going to listen to that.” He held her tight. “What were you thinking coming here alone?”
“I’m s-sorry.”
“Shh. Hey, it’s all right.” He drew her back, staring down at her in worry. “What did he do? Did he try something? I’ll kill him.”
She stared up at him in amazement. Was this her gentle, cuddly bear? The guy who was scared of spiders, and would rather shoo out a fly than swat it? The one who watched all the cheesy movies that she wanted without complaint?
She smiled up at him.
“What?” He glared down at her, but she knew he wasn’t mad at her. Sure, he might be a bit irritated at her for not telling him that she was coming here, and she guessed she couldn’t blame him for that. “You think I won’t do it? I will if he hurt you.”
“I’m so lucky to have you.”
“You got that the wrong way around,” he told her, running his thumb over her cheek. “You’re pale.”
She buried her face in his chest with a small sigh and wince, and he rubbed the back of her neck.
“Headache?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Bad?”
“Heading toward a migraine,” she admitted. She’d started getting them after the kidnapping. The doctors said it was the stress. Thankfully, she didn’t get them often anymore, not like she had at the beginning.
“We’ll talk about this more when you’re feeling better. Just tell me, did he hurt you? Touch you?”
He was shaking slightly. With anger? That was so unlike Brody. She put her arms around his waist. “I promise that he didn’t.”
Guilt filled her. She’d really done the wrong thing by not telling him where she was going. And now he’d turned up to defend her.
He was the best boyfriend.
“Right, we need to get you home and resting.”
“I couldn’t find my car keys.” She drew away from the comfort of his chest, wincing as the light hit her eyes. It wasn’t like it was even sunny today. But it still felt like a thousand knives were stabbing her head. She tried searching through her bag again.
“Let me,” he said gently, taking her handbag from her.
She sighed. Thank goodness.
She really didn’t want to have to think right now. She had to save her brainpower for driving home.
“Here they are. Come on.” Brody wrapped an arm around her, leading her around the car.
“Wait. What are you doing?”
“Putting you in the car.”
“Driver’s seat is round the other side.”
“Yes, but you’re not driving.”
She dug her feet into the ground. “You hate driving.”
He beeped open the car, opening the passenger door. “You’re in no state to drive. You’re ill and you need taking care of.”
“I’m not ill. It’s just a headache.”
“It’s not just a headache. Come on, let me take care of you for a change.”
“What are you talking about?” she said as she let him help her into the car. He set her handbag on the floor, before pulling her seatbelt over her. “You always take care of me.”
“Not as much as I should. But perhaps that should change. Then you might open up to me more.”
She frowned, wanting to reply to that. To tell him that she did open up to him. But she was feeling too sick and tired.
Brody was sweating as he tightened his hands on the steering wheel. Driving wasn’t something he enjoyed doing.
He knew he should have done more than just give that bastard a computer virus. Maybe he could hack into his home security. Or create a story to leak to the press.
He swallowed heavily at the thought. Giving him a virus was one thing, but making stuff up seemed a whole different level. Normally a level he wouldn’t be happy sinking to, but this was for his girl.