Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 159420 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 797(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159420 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 797(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
It was only when he came back to bed after the call that I realized why he’d been so frantic with me. It was because he was tensed about the situation, about the lack of progress. Ever since we came to his family’s ranch and we decided to get close—or rather, I decided for him by jumping him before the storm—he’s been visibly relaxed. I knew we were still being hunted and his sister was still in danger, but even so, he wasn’t carrying the whole world on his shoulders. This place suited him, but after his call I realized it wasn’t all lust, his hunger for me, that made him go so hard at me. There was an undercurrent of something else, some edge, fear almost.
So basically, after all the effort, they still haven’t been able to pinpoint who could be behind all this. Arsen and Brecken haven’t been able to get any more clues because something is missing. Or so I heard him say. I also heard him say that time was running out. I didn’t need him to tell me, or them, that because I know time is running out. Whoever has Lynnie is not going to wait around forever for Radisson to give him what he wants: me. He’s going to retaliate and he’s going to do that soon. So today, I wanted to give him a little escape before I brought him back to real life and told him that missing piece is me.
“Anyway,” I continue, looking him in the eyes, “I think it’s time that you used me. As bait.”
“Bait.”
He repeats the word like he doesn’t understand the meaning of it, but I know he does. And I also know he didn’t like me using it. Still, I forge ahead: “Yes. This whole thing started because they wanted me. Me, not your sister. They took your sister because they wanted you to follow their orders. And no, we don’t know why they wanted you to do this, or why they want me, even. Maybe it has something to do with my father or maybe there’s more to the story; I don’t know. We could keep guessing and we could keep looking into things. But none of that is going to bring your sister back. Only I can do it. Me. So use me.”
I see the muscle in his cheek ticking and pulsing, but if I let myself think about it too much, I won’t be able to make my case, so I ignore it and continue, “I see why you’d be reluctant to use me. Like you did before, I mean. It’s because you don’t blame me for what my father did, not anymore. You told me that. So you don’t think it’s fair to put me in harm’s way. And after knowing you for all these weeks, I know you have strong morals and a strong set of principles. I appreciate that. But last time, you were able to make contact with him, right? You were able to get some information, so you could do the same now too. And the time’s running out. You said so yourself on the phone, and we’re still missing something. It’s me. I can be your missing piece. And look”—I thrust up my hands and shift on my feet to stop him before he can say something and derail my whole speech—“this time, I know I’m going to be bait. Which means, I’ll be alert. I won’t be scared. I’ll know you’re coming for me. And not only you, but the whole Grayson family, my brother too. You’re all working together now, aren’t you? They’re all helping you. You have backup. You could even, I don’t know, make me wear a wire or something. Or put like a, an AirTag on me…”
I throw my hands up, shaking my head. “I don’t know all the logistics of course. But the point is, you can figure it all out. This could be the best way. This may be the only way to end this, where everyone comes out safe.”
End this.
Which means this is over. This… thing between us. Living out here, going on rides, having picnics, and worrying over dead plants. Spending every second of every day together, in each other’s arms, touching, kissing, making love. It means that we go our separate ways. Something I’d been so afraid of that in the beginning, that’s all I wanted. To run away from him, to protect myself from him so I could have something left in me that was mine. Because I knew by the end of this, he’d take every piece of me. My heart, my body, my soul would be his. Bound and roped. And it would hurt.
It does, but that’s not the point right now. I could cry about it later. Right now, we need to bring his sister home, and this is our best shot.