Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“No, but him leaving his life? His home? It all seems . . . extreme, even for him. Especially a long year after our divorce has been finalized,” she said, still trying to be logical because logic would keep her safe. “It could have just been someone with road rage tendencies.”
“The same guy, the same car, three separate times? I doubt it.” He needed her to believe his theory if he was going to keep her safe. “It’s one man. And if Jack has discovered that you and I are involved, then he’s trying to send a threatening message.”
Her lips pursed, and her chin lifted obstinately. “I still have a protective order against him from before our divorce. It’s valid across state lines.”
As if a piece of paper would be enough to dissuade a determined, narcissistic man like Jack from taking what he considered his. Tripp understood Skye’s reasons for fighting him but she wouldn’t win. He’d rather be wrong than risk her and their unborn child in any way.
“If we assume he cares about the protective order, that’s even more of a reason for him to focus on me first and not approach you. . . yet.”
She rubbed her hands along her thighs, her face pinched with anger, and he watched her struggle with the possibility of her ex turning her life upside down again. “Even if it’s him, I refuse to let Jack rule my life again. I can’t live in fear any more, and I can take care of myself. Spencer made sure of that by teaching me self-defense.”
Tripp shook his head, both proud of and frustrated by her attitude.
His decision would not sit well with her and he braced for her anger. “I respect that but I’m not taking any chances with you, or our baby,” he said, his tone firm. Just the thought of Skye or the child inside her being hurt incited his rage and made him feel violent.
“What are you saying?” she asked warily, both fists clenched.
“First, I have a picture of the license plate number. I’m going to get in touch with Zach Dare and see if he can find out who the vehicle is registered to. I can’t do a thing without proof that it’s Jack. Based on the plates, the car wasn’t a rental, which gives us a shot of nailing him. But until I know for sure, I’m going to make certain that you’re safe. Which means I’ll be staying with you for the foreseeable future.”
She stiffened, her frustration palpable. “So, I don’t get a choice in the matter?”
“Of course you have a choice,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “My place or yours.”
His reply didn’t amuse her even a little. She looked upset, conflicted, then finally, resigned.
“Fine,” she said, her tone still defiant, which didn’t surprise Tripp in the least. “You can stay here.” She rose from her seat and took her plate to the sink. “On the couch,” she informed him, before stalking out of the room.
Chapter Thirteen
Skye woke up on Sunday morning in bed alone—while Tripp had spent his second night on the couch. Guilt tightened her chest as she ran her hand over the cool sheets beside hers, feeling contrite for her behavior toward him when he only had good intentions when it came to protecting her.
She’d had more than enough time to indulge her sulky mood over his insistence that he stay with her until he received the information about the driver of the black sedan. She wanted to believe it was all a coincidence, but truth be told, she was feeling that old anxiety swirling inside her at the possibility that Jack was reinserting himself back into her life, and she hated that her ex still had that much power over her emotions.
She’d given herself a full day to embrace her annoyance over the entire situation, which had probably been exacerbated by her pregnancy hormones—or that’s the excuse she was telling herself anyway. Yesterday, she’d gone about her normal Saturday routine, although with Tripp glued to her side as she ran her errands and grocery shopped for the week. She even strolled through a small bookstore for a new novel and sat outdoors at her favorite café for lunch while he ate a burger and kept a watchful eye on everything going on around them.
But even knowing that Tripp was right there beside her the entire day, Skye had been hyper aware of everyone around her—cars that might be following them and anything else out of her normal routine that triggered old memories of Jack. And by the time they’d returned back to her apartment, she felt stressed-out and her nerves were stretched thin, which put her in a snappy mood.
While most men would have probably called her on her irritable attitude, Tripp had taken it all in stride, remaining calm and unaffected by her mood swings, which couldn’t have been an easy feat. When they were in her apartment, he’d given her space, even when she’d told him after dinner that she wanted to read a book in bed. Alone. And then had sequestered herself in her bedroom for the rest of the evening.