Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
A man like Dawson is powerful, and he has a lot of things to protect. The idea of him hiding something from me makes my stomach twist, and I force myself to think about something else. I don’t want to know what he’s really getting himself into.
Not long after he takes my laptop, I find myself gripping the armrests for dear life as we rapidly descend. To my relief, the landing goes smooth, and I feel silly for being scared in the first place.
We’re escorted off the jet and into another limo that drives us through the gorgeous area around North Woods. I stare out the window in awe as I take in the scenery and wish I could share this with Dawson, if only he weren’t in such a bad mood.
The limo pulls up to a tall gate with two security booths and armed guards standing on either side. Every cell in my body is immediately on high alert as I look out at the guards as they approach the limo. Dawson rolls down his window and waves to them. They seem to recognize him because they nod and gesture for the gate to be opened.
“Wait by the entrance, and Xander will send out a driver,” the guard says. Dawson nods in acknowledgment and opens the door to climb out, gesturing for me to follow him. He grabs both of our suitcases and waves to the limo driver to signal for him to leave as we walk through the open gate.
“What is this place?” I ask as the electric gate closes behind us, the guards still on the other side. Dawson doesn’t answer my question.
After a few minutes, a black Escalade slowly approaches, and an older gentleman gets out and grabs both of our bags.
“Mr. Price, it’s so lovely to see you again,” he says with an excited lilt in his voice. “Master Rossi has been getting everything prepared for you and your companion. They’re very eager to see you both.”
Dawson exchanges a few words with the man whose name I learned is Ian, and both of us climb into the backseat of the car. It’s pristinely cooled, and the air is lavender scented, which I imagine is to calm down the very confused guests who arrive here.
We drive through the rest of the area, and I see wide open spaces carved into the woods and various different buildings that make this look like it could be some kind of resort if it weren’t so heavily guarded. Whatever this place is and whoever Mr. Rossi is, I don’t have a good feeling about it.
“What business do you do with this man exactly?” I ask in a hushed voice, looking at the driver briefly to see his eyes on me in the rearview mirror. I straighten in my seat and try to make myself appear as unthreatening and polite as possible.
“Stop asking so many questions and focus on your job,” Dawson replies in a short voice. He’s still on edge, and I don’t know what to expect going into this.
We pull up outside of a house that looks more like a modern-day castle. I thought Henry’s mansion was lavish, but it’s almost nothing compared to this. It’s funny that the first thing I think is that I need to keep my mom away from this man. She would leave Henry for him in a heartbeat if she saw this house.
The oversized front door opens as Dawson and I step out of the car, and an older gentleman, maybe in his late 40s, walks out in a neatly pressed business suit. A woman stands behind him in a proper-looking summer dress and a pair of tasteful wedges, her brown hair combed neatly and hanging around her shoulders. Both of them smile warmly at us as they approach.
I can’t help but think they look presidential as they greet us. It’s so formal yet welcoming at the same time, something I can only imagine had to have been perfected over the years. You can’t be in a place as intimidating as this without having to try to make your guests feel welcome.
“You must be Harper,” the woman says with a warm smile. “I’m Ella, and this is Xander. Dawson told us he’d be bringing you along today. You and I are going to be spending a lot of time together while the boys talk business.”
I look at Dawson, and he nods to let me know that’s okay. Contractually, I’m supposed to be with him during all of his business meetings, but if these ones are supposed to be private, then so be it. My mind is whirling thinking about what it could be.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, flashing her a smile. “Your home is stunning.”
I gesture to the house behind her, careful not to point to the compound we drove past. That’s not as stunning. It’s actually pretty terrifying.