Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” I said, and wrapped my arms around Atticus. He hugged me back, then said, “No problem.”
I went to walk away, when I said, “You didn’t go back to that woman’s hotel, did you?” The woman he’d been with at the bar. The one Sage watched him leave with, a flicker of hurt in her eyes.
Atticus shook his head and gave me a sad smile.
“She has a big heart too,” I said to Atticus. “The biggest.”
He knew who I meant. His expression softened as he said, “I know . . . I know she does.” Atticus turned back to look at the view, and I climbed down the stairs. Making sure the floor was clear but for our guards, I knocked on Jasper’s door. When he didn’t answer, my heart sank. I opened my door and walked into my suite, only to find him pacing the living room. He froze when he saw me, caution in his expression. But when I ran to him and sank into his embrace, he held me and lifted me in his arms. Carrying me to the bedroom, he stripped me of my clothes and laid me in my bed. He climbed in beside me, and I said, “I’m so sorry.”
“Ssh,” he soothed and kissed my hair. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “I am now.”
I breathed in his mint and sandalwood scent, and any concern I had for Alexis and Camille’s gossip melted away. I felt foolish that I’d let them hurt me this way—us this way.
“Sleep,” Jasper said, and my eyes grew heavy. “I’m going to keep you safe, Angel. I promise.” As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I heard him add, “Just don’t give up on me, please. Stay by my side. Because I don’t know what I’d do anymore without you.”
Chapter Eighteen
Jasper
Cannes, France
Two months later
“Yes!” I said under my breath and clenched my hand into a fist as I watched Hallie deliver another clear round. Today was the team event for the Knighton Cavaliers, and her clear had just catapulted them to the top. They were fucking doing it. For the past few months, our team had dominated most of the Grand Prix on the circuit—Madrid, Shanghai, Prague. And now Cannes. Yesterday saw Sage with the winning round. We were sweeping both the individual and team events with ease.
Even after Alexis, McGowen, and Camille had tried to rattle Hallie in Spain, we had stayed strong and kept dominating. The gossip mill had moved on when no more evidence of my and Hallie’s relationship surfaced—and there was always another scandal waiting for the spotlight.
After a small hiccup, life was . . . hell, it was good. I never thought I’d be able to say that again.
I rushed from the stands and headed to the stalls to meet Hallie. Jean Pierre, the owner of one of the biggest studs in France and a close friend of mine from the circuit, met me en route.
“You fucker!” he said, but he was smiling. I laughed as he hugged me. “Can you leave some room at the podium for the rest of us?” Jean Pierre backed away, but said, “I’ll be up front with you, Jasper. I’m planning on poaching Sage and Hallie from you next season.”
“You can try,” I said, but there wasn’t even a flicker of doubt in me that it would be possible. I couldn’t fucking believe it, but week by week, month by month, my life had gotten lighter. I’d mainly stayed on the circuit, doing most of my business on the road. I’d flown home several times for important meetings, to check on Henry, and to see my sister, but mostly I was here, with my woman and my team, and although I wasn’t riding, I still felt it. That comradery, that buzz you got from this nomadic life.
But most all, I’d felt peace. Months of being with Hallie every night, seeing my team ride . . . just peace. I knew the threatening letters hadn’t stopped, but Forrest had shielded me from most of the drivel they spun.
Our security was solid, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt like I could breathe. And dare I say . . . I felt happy. The reason for that appeared at the far end of the yard, riding back to our stables on Huxley, fresh from her victory gallop for the Knighton Cavaliers, with Sage and Atticus following behind.
A sudden crash came from the opposite end of the yard, and I turned to see what it was. I heard things being thrown around and frustrated snarls. As at all the venues, I’d organized for our stables to be separate and off limits but to those in our employ. The rest of the competitors were kept beyond a bolted gate. Curiosity won out, and I moved to the gate and looked through.