Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“It’s not all right; I’m tired.” I know she’s not only talking about physically either.
“I know.” I keep running my hand up and down her back until she starts to relax for me. “We will deal with Cyberius. That’s what you want, don’t you?”
I don’t think she knew that was an option, but I’m going to give it to her. “I can’t take him on.”
“Why would you when you have me, and let’s not forget the rest of the Marino family?”
“That would pull everyone in. It’s not their problem.”
“In the few things Z told me, Logic Byte Labs could be everyone’s problem.” If something causes Z to be worried, then it’s more than likely a big issue.
“How the hell do you know so much?” She lifts her head again, her eyes less sad now and more curious. That’s how I want her. I think that’s when her mind is at its best.
“Once I figured out it was this Cyberius dipshit, Z and I started to dig.” Z was supposed to reach out to Bruce to check on a few things. I actually need to check back with him, and it’s been over a week since either Ellie and I have reached out to anyone. I’m sure the girls are freaking out at this point. I’m sure they are driving both Z and War crazy.
“I still can’t believe you walked us both right into a trap.” Her nose scrunches. I can’t help the cocky smile that takes over my face.
“I knew how to lure you in.” And that Cyberius fucker popped right out too, wanting my Ellie. He signed his own death warrant the moment he decided to come for her.
“Don’t be all full of yourself.” She rolls her eyes, but I think a part of her enjoys the fact that I can find her one way or another.
“Pretty sure it was you that wanted to be full of me,” I tease her, wanting to lighten the mood. I don’t want her crying any more today.
“Ro!” Heat rushes to her cheeks, making her freckles stand out more. She bats my shoulder with her hand as though that will stop me. “You shouldn’t say those sorts of things to a lady in public. There’s so much you have to learn.” She shakes her head at me.
“You’ll just have to teach me, then.”
“It’s going to take a really long time with a barbarian like you.”
“Forever.” I throw that word out there to get her used to it. Before she can say anything else, I wrap my fingers through her hair and pull her mouth to mine.
Right where it belongs.
Chapter Eighteen
ELLIE
When we step outside of the coffee shop, I shouldn’t be shocked to see the truck sitting right there. I thought I’d ditched it, but Ronan and his freaky superpowers are at play here. Of course he found it.
“How do you do these things?” Ronan opens the passenger-side door for me. Normally when I leave my dad’s, I head into the city that is closest, which is heavily run by the Marino family. This time I’d gone in the opposite direction, thinking it would be easier to get lost there until I picked a route out of the city.
It was so last minute that I hadn’t had much put into place, but I always have a variety of identifications and such, but it’s hard to disappear anymore.
“I might not be as tech-savvy as you and Z, but I always have means,” he tells me as I climb in. He reaches over, clicking my seat belt for me. “If shit hits the fan, I have dozens of ways out of town and into different cities or countries. If you need to hide, I’m your man, little fox.”
“Aren’t you my man for everything?” I tease, but, okay, maybe it’s not a tease.
“You’re getting it.” He kisses the tip of my nose before closing the door. Yeah, I’m getting it. I kind of love that he’s taken running off the table for me. It means I need a new game plan, and this one is going to include Ronan at my side.
With that thought, a restlessness inside of me starts to settle.
“Where are we headed?” I ask when he pulls away from the curb. “I might need to do a check-in.”
“With Bruce or the girls?”
“You know, you’re a real know-it-all.”
“Maybe I do know it all.” He shoots me a smirk. “Like I know that I might not be pissed at you, but Cosima is going to lose it on you.”
“And Tova is going to guilt me. I’m not sure which is worse.”
“That’s what happens when you have people that love you, Ellie. Doesn’t matter if you’re here or hiding, they'll still care. Your location changes nothing.”
“I know.” I nod. He reaches over, putting his hand on my thigh.