Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 160192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Jared raised an eyebrow. “That’s because it should be. Also, thank fuck you love me because that would have made the rest of our lives fucking awkward if you didn’t.”
She had to laugh and then instantly regretted it.
Fuck, that hurt.
But, damn, did he always have to be so arrogant?
You love him just as he is.
Yes. She did.
Leaning down, he kissed her gently, carefully. She let out a groan of frustration because light and easy wasn’t what she wanted.
She wanted deep and hot.
Hard and sexy.
But he drew away before she could deepen the kiss, staring down at her intently.
Then he smiled. It was a smile she hadn’t seen before. A mix of softness and possessiveness.
It was a smile she’d kill to keep shining on her.
Then he turned to glance up at North and she swallowed heavily.
What about North? How did he feel? Did he really want her in his life for good? North was simply staring down at her, not saying anything.
Worry filled her.
“North might not be able to give you the words, but if you are observant, you’ll see it in the way he watches you or secretly does things for you. Often, he’ll know what you want before you even know it.”
She had noticed that.
“Yes, that is the case,” North told her as he reached out to lightly brush her arm with his hand. “You already know that I find it hard to express any emotion. To recognize and feel anything. But I know that my life is far better with you and Jared in it.”
And that was enough for her. Because she knew that he meant it.
“So is mine,” she told him. “I love you, North. And I’m sorry I ran like that. I know it’s a bad habit of mine that I need to work on.”
“And we need to make sure you feel safe with us. Wanted and loved,” Jared told her.
“I love you, North,” she told him. “It’s all right if you don’t say it back. I know you care about me.”
“I care about you as much as I have about anyone. The two of you.” His gaze narrowed. “That doesn’t mean you’re not getting a spanking for this.”
“Probably two,” Jared said.
Oh, goody.
The door to her room opened and a man stepped through dressed in scrubs and a mask.
Was this her doctor? But why would he be wearing a mask? Jared had been called out to speak to another doctor while North had gone to deal with “the head.”
Ick.
She’d thought Jared was just outside the door, though.
At least that’s where he’d told her that he’d be. They were reluctant to leave her alone. Hadn’t he also said that he had a guard standing outside her door? And another roaming the floor? That they could no longer keep her presence a secret.
“Ahh, good, you’re awake,” he said. “I only have a limited window. Your guard will wake up soon. Not very good, is he?”
“Who . . . who are you?” she asked fearfully.
Was this Beltran? Or someone he’d hired to kill her?
Her heart raced so fast she felt ill.
“I’m insulted. I helped you escape that truly hideous motel with the fleas and set you up in a cute cottage and you don’t even recognize me now?”
Understanding filled her. She didn’t know how she hadn’t recognized his voice.
“Fox?”
He did a small bow. “The one and only. You’re not looking good.”
“I’ve had better days,” she admitted. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking in on you. I didn’t learn until recently that Zander had allowed you to live alone and then you were kidnapped. I must say, I was surprised to learn who took you.
“How did you learn all that?”
“I have my ways. Of course, my informant will need to be spoken to for waiting for so long to let me know what was going on. When I finally got here, I heard some rumors that you were in the hospital.”
How did he know all of this?
“Now, we need to go before anyone comes.”
“I don’t want to leave, though. I want to stay with my guys.”
“Your guys? So you didn’t injure yourself trying to escape?”
“Um. How did you hear that?” she asked.
“I have my ways. I also heard that two severed heads have turned up on Bartolli’s doorstep.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s true.”
“Interesting.”
Interesting? She didn’t think so.
The door slammed open and Jared raced in. Seeing the Fox, he quickly drew his gun.
Uh oh.
This wasn’t going to end well.
56
Jared’s heart was racing. He was used to dangerous, high-pressure situations.
But nothing like this.
As soon as he’d seen Patrick was unconscious outside Angie’s room, he’d known something was wrong.
He’d raced in here without thought or preparation.
North would kill him when he found out. He hadn’t wanted to leave them. It was only because Jared had promised to stay with Angie and have Patrick on the door to the room with John roaming on the floor that he’d gone.