Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“I work for Callahan Security,” he started.
“I know. I saw your work ID. But like I said, I already have a security system. Thanks.”
“Oh. That’s good.” She needed one living on her own. Although she really shouldn’t open the door without knowing who was on the other side.
You were on the other side.
And he couldn’t hurt a fly. His sisters often teased him because he shooed them out the windows rather than swatting them or blasting them with fly spray.
But she didn’t know that.
Suddenly, it occurred to him why she’d said that.
“Oh, I’m not here to sell you a security system. Although if you ever want someone to check over the one you have, I’d be happy to do that. Um, no. I’m here because, well, you, uh, um . . .” He trailed off. Usually, by this stage someone interrupted him to tell him to hurry it up or helped him finish his sentence.
But Autumn just stared at him patiently.
Don’t think about her nipples. Don’t think about her nipples.
“I’m here because I’m investigating a company called For Fox Sake and I wondered if you’d received money from them.”
There was silence.
He waited for her to say something. Do something.
Finally, he looked at her. She’d gone even paler and was swaying slightly. Worry flooded him as he realized that she was about to collapse.
“Whoa, Autumn, are you all right?” He reached out, his hands hovering by her arms. What should he do? Should he grab hold of her? Help her? Or not touch her at all?
What would his sisters tell him to do?
Be a gentleman.
Right. Sure, he could do that.
And remember, consent is always sexy. Not that you’re sexy, pimple-face.
He loved his sisters, but man, they could be mean sometimes.
She suddenly leaned against the wall then slid down onto her ass. Something clunked onto the floor, falling out of her pocket.
Was that a stun gun?
“I . . . um . . .” She dropped her head onto her knees which were pulled up to her chest.
Shoot. Did he need to get her a paper bag? Was she having trouble breathing? Moving closer, he bent down and awkwardly placed his hand on her shoulder, patting her.
“You’re okay. I’m really sorry. You’re safe.” He didn’t quite understand what he’d said that had set her off, though.
Darn it, he really was a dork-face.
“I spent the money!” she cried. “I used it to buy this house and a security system and a fridge full of energy drinks. You can have the drinks. I haven’t even touched them. Okay, I lied, I drank most of them. They were so good. But they’re dirty money energy drinks, so they taste like garbage. I’m lying again! They’ll still taste delicious. The money was stolen, wasn’t it? Oh my God! Am I the receiver of stolen goods? Am I going to jail?”
“You’re not going to jail, sweetheart. You didn’t receive stolen goods, uh, money.”
Well, she might have. But he didn’t know how anyone would prove it. And if they tried, he’d do whatever he had to in order to protect her. Even if that meant hacking into police databases.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t done it before. Even though he’d promised Ink he wouldn’t do that again without his permission.
That was a promise he was prepared to break for her. He didn’t know why he felt so protective of her. It wasn’t like he could take care of her physically. He wasn’t like his colleague, Stone, who could knock someone out with one punch.
However, he’d do whatever it took to take care of her. Maybe it was because he knew what she’d gone through. Would he feel this way about another of the senator’s victims if he’d met them?
If any of them were still alive.
He swallowed heavily at that thought. Autumn had been the only one to survive. She could have so easily been killed, and he’d never have met her.
Was it strange to meet someone and have a connection almost immediately? He wasn’t sure, but that’s what it felt like.
“I won’t do well in jail! I need to clean my toilet twice a day! Do they let you have cleaning supplies in jail? Probably not. You probably have to sit on a dirty toilet. I can’t do it!”
He couldn’t help but grin. That was what she was worried about? A dirty toilet?
Suddenly, she moved her head, lifting it so fast that she whacked it right into his nose, causing a sickening crunching noise.
“Oh, God! I’m so sorry.” She hastily stood, bending over him, with her hand on his shoulder, patting him awkwardly. “Did I hurt you? Oh my God! You’re bleeding.” She pulled her hands back, fluttering them in the air. “Oh no. Oh no. What should I do? Ambulance. You need an ambulance.”
Her breath was coming in harsh pants, her hand rubbing at her chest. Was she okay? Ignoring the pain in his throbbing nose, he cupped a hand under it to keep the blood from dripping everywhere. Standing, he rubbed her back with his free hand.