Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“Just so you’re aware, I’m capable of doing that for longer,” he said, “if you’ll let me.”
His mouth traced the shell of my ear, and it gave me a delicious shudder. “Is that what you wanted to talk about?”
“No.” His lips abandoned what they’d been doing, and I’d swear I could feel the anxiety seeping out of him. “I have to tell you something you might find upsetting.”
I turned under his heavy arm, only to be met by a grim expression.
“The last thing Bill told me was they couldn’t locate your sister. I should have said something sooner. I’m sorry.”
I didn’t understand. Why would he think this would be upsetting?
“If she got divorced, I’m sure she moved.”
His lips pressed into a line, and he looked at me like I was missing something. “The Marshals Service is pretty good at finding people. That’s what we do, and it’s concerning that we haven’t.”
Oh. My pulse spiked. “You’re worried this is Frey?”
“I don’t think so. You haven’t talked to her in years, so it doesn’t make sense he’d go after her. But,” he added, “it’s possible, and you needed to know.”
The room was cold, and even in his embrace I shivered. He reached down to pull the thick duvet over us, and there were faint lines of concern around his eyes that made my heart hurt.
“Had you ever killed anyone,” my voice was a ghost, “before that man in the hotel bathroom?”
He hesitated like he wasn’t sure if he should answer. “Yes.”
“Was it hard? I mean, to live with yourself after?”
He didn’t blink. “In both cases there wasn’t any other option. Why are you—?”
“He’s not going to stop until he has me or I’m dead.”
My statement landed like an anvil. The attack on the hotel had proven how far Frey was willing to go. Jason looked conflicted, like he wanted to deny it but didn’t want to lie to me, either.
“Don’t think about it. We’ll catch him,” he said. “Until then, you’re here where you’re safe.” His arm secured me up against him once again. “You’re safe with me.” His kiss silenced any other thoughts, ending the discussion.
I’d pulled my clothes on, unable to drag my gaze away from the man asleep on the bed. We’d both drifted off, still behind on sleep, and for a while Jason’s touch kept my brain quiet. But now I was awake and the panic over my sister grew to be too loud.
Shawn sat on one of his couches in the living room, a hand around a crystal tumbler half-full of a caramel-colored liquid. His warm eyes lit up when he saw me. Then he adjusted his posture so he wasn’t slumped and gestured to the available seating around him.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked. “You don’t like my beer, but that’s not the only thing I have.”
I lowered onto the loveseat that was perpendicular to the couch. “What are you drinking?”
“Bourbon.” When I glanced at a clock near the television, he added, “It’s after six in Munich.”
I couldn’t stomach the taste of bourbon on a good day. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Staring at Shawn was disorienting. He looked so similar to the man in the other room, the one I cared about so deeply and suddenly, it was terrifying. There was considerable worry that I was beginning to fall for him.
And I was scared I’d need to tell Jason as much, because when he called Bill and the new plans were laid out, things might happen too fast. Our days were numbered, and it might be my only chance. I couldn’t let him go without knowing.
But a statement that powerful was bound to have adverse side effects. He might run or claim it wasn’t enough time, even though we’d spent virtually every hour together since the morning he’d sauntered into that FBI conference room and I’d decided I hated him.
And now I might love him.
“Are you all right? You don’t look well.” Concern washed through Shawn’s expression.
“I have a lot on my mind.”
“I would think so.” He gave me a calculating look. “I don’t know if it’ll help or confuse you further, but I don’t believe Jason’s been in love before.”
I almost fell out of my seat. “What? Why would you tell me that?”
“The only emotion he’s good at expressing is anger. The rest are a struggle. I thought I’d warn you that it might be difficult for him to put what he’s feeling into words.”
I was barely able to comprehend his meaning, and my voice fell to a hush. “You think he’s in love with me?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. Or maybe not. Perhaps he’s only halfway there, but I do know this. I haven’t seen him like this before. He’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”
I didn’t know how to react or what to do with that information. Warmth spread through me, even as everything felt like it was upside-down.