Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
I picked at the frayed denim on one of the holes in my jeans. If Jericho didn’t call, then…
Three loud knocks on the door had me springing up from the bed while gripping the bedazzled pink Taser Momma had given me last year for Christmas. I had kept it close to me since finding that last blue note. My hand trembled as I held it out in front of me and stared at the door as if someone was going to break it down. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down and think.
Whoever had left me the notes never knocked on my door. Why would they do that now? I was being ridiculous. It was most likely the cleaning lady.
Lowering the Taser to my side, I walked over to look through the peephole. Which would have been the sane response in the first place. My fear was warping my logic. Going up on my tiptoes, I peeked outside.
It wasn’t a cleaning lady. My hand tightened on the Taser. Two men. One couldn’t be more than a few years older than me, but the other was older. Maybe his father. By the looks of them, I seriously doubted that stalking was something they did. Women most likely stalked them. And I’d bet money that neither of them had folded origami in their life.
“Montana.” The older one said my name, and I sucked in a breath.
They didn’t have the wrong room. They were here for me.
I cleared my throat, deciding not to open the door just yet.
“Yes,” I replied loud enough so that he could hear me.
“I’m Linc Shephard, and this is Than Carver. Your father sent us to pick you up.”
Jericho had sent them? They didn’t seem like men who worked for the governor. Nor could either of them be the writer of the letters. Stalkers who looked like that were only on Netflix shows and in romance novels.
Should I open the door?
It will be fine, I assured myself. I had my Taser. There was a busy street out there. It was daylight. It wasn’t like they would grab me and run. Why would they do that anyway? My imagination was a product of little sleep, crazy stalker notes, and watching too much crime television.
I reached up and unlocked the chain, then the bolt before I took the cold metal knob in my hand and turned it. Taking a deep, calming breath, I stepped back as I pulled it toward me. And…wow. They were even more impressive without the smudged peephole.
The briefest glance at the younger man sent an odd, tingly feeling through my body. Surprised by the reaction, I swung my eyes to the older man, who had introduced himself as Linc Shephard.
“Wh-where does he want me to go?” Please don’t be taking me to the bus station.
“I will explain everything to you on the drive,” he replied. “Can we help you with your bags?”
That wasn’t going to work. My momma hadn’t raised a fool. And since I had been getting sick, twisted notes from a stranger, I wouldn’t be jumping into a vehicle with men I didn’t know. Even ones who looked like they had walked off the Sexy Bad Boys calendar my momma used to get every year.
“I need to talk to Jericho first,” I replied. “Do you mind waiting out here while I make that call?” Because I wasn’t inviting them inside with me.
“Of course,” Linc replied.
Unable to help myself, I gave the younger one, Than, another glance. His expression and even his stance seemed annoyed. The glacial-blue eyes that stared back at me weren’t friendly. In fact, there was accusation and disgust. I’d been so enamored with his body, hair, and even his mouth before that I hadn’t paid close attention to his expression. My cheeks flushed, and I felt unsettled.
I closed the door quickly and went over to get my phone from the bed. Steeling myself, I pressed the saved number and waited. It rang twice.
“Hello?” he clipped out.
“There are men here to take me somewhere.”
“Yes, you demanded I help you. Do whatever Linc Shephard says. He is acting on my request. But be warned that he is a powerful man.” He hissed out the last two words. “And if you do anything to ruin me, he will take care of you. Do you understand what I am saying?”
I blinked as I stared at the wall. I wasn’t sure. It sounded like a threat, but to what? Was Linc a special cop? Could he get me arrested? For telling the truth? Nothing about either of them looked very law-like. In fact, they’d given off more of the walking on the line of danger vibe. Which was another reason I’d balked at getting in a vehicle with either of them. No matter how hot they were.