Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Do you have everything you need to close for a while?” he asks, his brown eyes scanning me from head to toe as though he’s making sure I’m still in one piece.
My chest tightens. I’ve had my business threatened, my window smashed, and my entire life turned upside down in the span of a few hours. “I need to know one thing,” I say, my voice trying for calm but wavering slightly. “How long is ‘a while’? I can’t expect my mother to pay my bills indefinitely.”
Boone pauses, slipping his hands into his jeans pockets. “Uhh… shouldn’t be more than a week, give or take. The guys at Maddox Security are good at what they do. They’ll figure this out.”
“I can’t close longer than a week,” I say firmly, swallowing the lump in my throat. The mere idea of losing more than seven days of income makes me feel a little ill.
He arches a brow, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “Well, that’s not exactly how this works. Security threats don’t usually come with deadlines.”
“It’s how I work,” I counter, lifting my chin in defiance. “I can’t close for longer than a week, Boone. Deal?” I thrust my hand out, the gesture as much of a challenge as it is a request.
He stares at me, and for a second, I worry he’ll flat-out refuse. But finally, he takes my hand in his large, calloused one. When his rough skin meets mine, a jolt of awareness shoots up my arm, startling me.
“Deal,” he says, his voice low.
We linger there, hand in hand. The air between us crackles with an unexpected tension I can’t quite name. This is the same man who strolled in here with a no-nonsense attitude and an order for me to shut everything down. Yet beneath that stern exterior, I sense something protective—maybe even kind. And I hate to admit it, but that tiny kernel of comfort is enough to make me suck in a shaky breath and hold steady.
“Let’s get out of here, then,” he says gently, releasing my hand. “I’ll fill you in on the rest of the plan once we’re on the road.”
I nod, though part of me wants to burst into tears at the idea of leaving my pizzeria behind, even if it’s just temporary. Still, I manage a small smile. Deep down, I know it’s the smart choice. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last twenty-four hours, it’s that someone out there is serious about scaring me—or worse.
Walking away from Slice Slice Baby feels like leaving a piece of my heart behind. But with the chaos swirling around us, I’d rather take the risk of shutting down for a few days than risk my life—especially if it means I’ll be protected by a man who, despite his growling demeanor, might just be the shield I need right now.
Chapter 3
Boone
I start the engine of my truck, the rumble of the motor filling the silence as I pull away from the parking lot of Aubree's pizza shop. Her shop. Her livelihood. The place she poured her heart into for years. I get it. I’ve seen too many people lose their businesses to crime and the stress of it all. But I’m not here to be a therapist. I’m here to keep her alive, to make sure nothing worse happens.
“You good there?” I ask, glancing the perimeter of the parking lot to make sure we’re not being followed.
She pulls her hoodie tighter around her, her fingers playing with the hem of it nervously. “Yeah,” she mutters, but I can tell she’s not.
I nod, focusing on the road ahead, trying to clear my mind of the things I’ll need to do once we’re out of town. Checking in with Dean, getting the security setup in place, ensuring that we’re ready for anything.
Once we get on the highway, I pull out my phone and dial Dean’s number. The call rings for a second before he picks up, his voice gravelly with that ever-present authority.
“Porter.”
“Hey, it’s me,” I say, keeping my voice low. “I’ve got her with me. We’re heading to the cabin now.”
“Good. Keep her safe. You know the drill.” Dean’s voice shifts, becoming more businesslike. “Check the perimeter of the cabin as soon as you arrive. Cameras, security system, the works. Don’t take any chances.”
“I won’t. Anything else?” I check the mirrors again, my hands tight on the steering wheel.
“We’re running background checks on everyone who works for her. Everyone and anyone. I’ll send over everything I find. Keep your eyes open. You’re there to protect her, and that’s it. Keep things professional.”
Aubree’s quiet beside me, her profile lit up by the glow of the dashboard. I wonder if she knows how much danger she’s actually in. Probably not. Hell, I wish I could tell her it’s all going to be okay, but I can’t lie to her. I just have to make sure she stays alive, and that’s all I can promise.