Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Before long, we’re airborne. I hate flying, and that sucks for me because I’ve had to fly all over the freaking world. I haven’t said a word since setting foot on this aircraft, and we’re not even looking at each other.
My hands aren’t altogether steady, and I hate that no one will tell me where I’m going. I don’t know anything.
The only reason I’m not throwing an all-out fit is that Gideon is with me. He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me.
“Montana.”
My eyes return to his, and I tilt my head to the side. “Pardon?”
“We’re going to my ranch in Montana.”
The pieces start to fit together.
“You’re not coming back to work for the Secret Service.”
He shakes his head and stays silent.
“You’re taking me to your home.”
That makes my stomach jitter. I get to see where he lives?
Gideon nods.
“Because my mother wants to hide me away. Because someone wants to hurt her through hurting me.”
“That’s the theory.”
“How long?”
He shrugs those broad shoulders. He’s in a black suit, just like he always was every day that I saw him while he worked for us. His hands are perfectly steady as he reaches for his phone.
“You don’t know how long I’ll be staying with you?”
He shakes his head again, and frustration bubbles up in my chest.
“It’s going to be awesome to live with you. Since you’re so freaking chatty.”
He takes a deep breath and then leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees.
“I’m not here to chat with you, Lena. This isn’t a spa retreat,” he says. This might be the most words he’s ever said to me in a row. “You’re not coming to hang out on vacation. You’re going to be there because you’re—”
“In danger. Yeah, I get it.” I nod once and move to a seat a little farther away from him. I can smell the woodsy cologne or shower gel he uses, and it does things to me that are completely inappropriate. “Thank you for your help.”
He blinks in surprise. “You’re really not fighting this.”
“Look, I’m not a kid anymore, Gideon. I’m not stupid. The incident at the gallery scared the shit out of me. I’m not used to being covered in blood and brain matter or having a pistol pushed against my throat.” His jaw tightens. “I don’t know what’s going on. One minute, Chelsea and I were checking out an art exhibit, and I was trying to ditch my asshole of an ex-boyfriend while she sampled the dessert buffet. The next, I come out of the restroom to find that Richie’s gone, and the new guy is threatening me.”
“Fuck,” he growls and pushes his hand through his hair.
“Yeah. Fuck might be an understatement. So no, I’m not fighting you or giving you shit about this. I haven’t pulled anything since . . .” I swallow hard and shake my head, and now he does fist his hands because he knows exactly what I’m thinking. I glance at his leg. I can’t say the words. “I grew up. I don’t have to sneak around because I’m an adult who does her own thing, except I have security with me. I wish I’d been able to go back to my apartment to get actual clothes that fit me and that I like, rather than the castoffs I left at Mom’s place when I moved out four years ago. I also wish I had my art supplies with me, because if I’m hanging out in the woods with no one to talk to, I’ll be able to get a lot of work done.”
“We’ll get you supplies,” he mutters. “And clothes.”
“You’ll take me shopping?”
His face says keep dreaming.
“You can order whatever you want from my computer at home. We may be in the boonies, but we do get deliveries.”
At least there’s that.
“Okay.”
“For the record, I don’t like this. I don’t want you in my house or on my property. I don’t want to bring whatever shitstorm you’re tangled up in to my home and to my family.”
Oh shit. I blink as I sit back in my seat, staring at him. It didn’t occur to me that Gideon would be married and have kids. But it makes sense. Of course he does. He’s handsome and smart, and he’s living his life in Montana.
I clear my throat and can’t look him in the eye, so I stare over his shoulder as I answer him.
“I’m sure your wife will be lovely, and I’ll do my best to stay out of everyone’s way. I’m good at fading into the background, I’ve had plenty of practice. Just please don’t ask me to babysit your kids. I’m not good with little ones.”
His eyes jerk up in surprise, and then he scowls.
“What the fuck, Lena?”
“Your family, Gideon. Of course you don’t want me to intrude on your family.”