Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 100853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Griffen’s voice vibrated with fury when he spoke. “Don’t even think about taking off after that bullshit he laid out.”
I let out a slow breath. “I think we need to have a meeting with Hawk and Sinclair Security, because I’m not going to run.” I turned to look at Griffen, glad to see his jaw relax at my words. “I’m not walking out on my family,” I said. “Not unless all of you agree you’re safer without me.”
“Not going to happen,” Griffen said.
“Then I’m not going anywhere. But we need a plan.”
Griffen nodded. “Already working on it.”
I hoped whatever his plan was, it was good. It would have to be. Because Cole Haywood had made it very clear he was not finished with me—not even close.
Chapter Fifteen
PAIGE
“Are we going to bring both soccer balls?” August asked. His blond brows furrowed in weighty contemplation as he studied the bin in the garage that held athletic equipment.
“I think so,” I said, considering the situation just as seriously. August, seven years old and halfway through second grade, had discovered soccer that fall. Now, with the season over for the year, he was determined to practice every day until he was the best player on the team. I hadn’t been a soccer player when I was in school, but I knew enough to help out.
I had baby Stella strapped to my chest, still sleepy after Hope had handed her over post-nap and feeding. She snuggled into my chest, a cozy little armful, her knitted cap pulled down over her blonde curls. I’d learned that December in the mountains could be gorgeous, but it could also be cold. Today it was both, the sky electric blue and the air icy as it cut through my scarf. I squatted down to refasten the zipper on August’s jacket.
“Why don’t you each take one?” I said to August and Nicky. “Nicky can play keeper, and Stella and I will ref from the sidelines while August practices shots on goal.”
“I’m the best keeper,” Nicky said, grabbing one of the soccer balls out of the bin.
“You’re not bad, kiddo,” I said, ruffling his dark hair. At six, and in first grade, Nicky didn’t have the height to cover ninety percent of the soccer goal Tenn had set up in the side yard, but he had the enthusiasm to make up for his small size. Some days, Thatcher joined us for soccer practice, though today he was down on the lower level with his mom, Scarlett, in her glass workshop while she helped him make an ornament for the winter carnival at school.
The garage door rolled up, startling me. “Back up, boys,” I said, reaching out to corral the kids, making sure they were out of the way of the giant SUV rolling in.
The vehicle parked, and the driver’s door opened. I caught Griffen saying, “I’ll call Hawk. We’ll get Cooper on the line. Get to work on a strategy.” He shut the door as his gaze swept over the scene in front of him, and a grin broke out across his face. “Getting in some more soccer practice?”
“Yeah,” August said, holding the ball above his head.
“Looks good.” Griffen closed the distance between us and reached up to run his knuckles across his daughter’s soft cheek. “She looks like she just woke up.”
“She did,” I said fondly. “Hope handed her off a few minutes ago.”
The warmth in his eyes as he looked at Stella brought tears to mine. A sheepish smile on his face, he looked at me with a half-shrug. “I want to steal her from you and take her back to the office, but…”
“You and Hope have a call,” I said. “I know. She didn’t want to hand Stella over either. But if you text when your call is over, I’ll bring her back.”
“Thanks, Paige,” he said with a smile.
“That’s what I’m here for.”
I snuck a glance across the hood of the SUV to see Ford watching us, pensive. I risked a tiny smile, and a light flashed through his eyes. I looked away, not wanting Griffen to see the flush I felt rising to my cheeks just from looking at Ford. I couldn’t help remembering the way I’d left him, a faint smile on his face, the covers pushed down to his waist, his lean, bare chest begging me to touch.
“Let’s go, Nicky,” August said, breaking the spell.
“I’d better get moving or these two will take off without me,” I said, smiling at Griffen and flashing a last look at Ford, wishing I could say something—anything. But as far as Griffen knew, Ford and I had never spoken to each other. Why would we? Anything other than a polite nod would draw attention I didn’t want. I forced my attention back to Griffen. “Just give a shout when you guys are done. I’ll bring her back.”