Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
He ran his hand down his scruff again. I noticed the bags under his eyes and how the subtle lines around his eyes looked more profound than usual. Exhaustion and stress were literally etched in his face. My heart twisted and ached at the thought that he was falling apart worrying about me. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had ever worried about me like that. When was the last time someone had stayed awake, watching me sleep? Had anyone ever done that?
“If something happened to you, I’d never forgive myself. It would haunt me for the rest of my life. I know you don’t want to go back underground and deal with the shit—I don’t blame you—but I don’t see another solution right now.”
I tore my eyes from his. “I could stay here with you. If I don’t go back to the club, then Richie will never be able to find out who I am, and even if he did—I’d be here, safe with you.”
It was a long shot. I knew Bennett would say no before he even thought about it.
“You have no idea how much I would love that. I want to be with you, baby. But this place isn’t safe either. Richie knows I’m staying at this hotel. I spotted one of his guys, Jake, following me the night after our big meeting. He’s keeping close tabs on me. It was probably stupid for me to even bring you here, but I’m hoping he thinks you’re here because we met at the club.”
“And you can’t leave? Can’t someone else come and take over? Like backup or something?”
It was even more of a Hail Mary than the first suggestion.
“I wish I could. But this is my case. I’ve been working on this thing for years, and I’m almost to the end of it—if things go like I think they will. It has to be me.”
“How much longer will you be here? In L.A.?”
He scrubbed a hand over his chin. “I don’t know. I have a feeling it will be another couple of weeks, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Richie drags this shit out just to fuck with me.”
I sighed. “I can’t go back…Bennett. Please, there has to be another way out.”
“What if it’s just for a few months?”
I arched an eyebrow at him. “I don’t think it works like that. It feels like an all-or-nothing kind of thing. Well…” I smiled softly. “Unless you run away, that is.”
“Hopeless rebel, huh, Tor?”
“Something like that.”
Bennett stepped closer, and this time, I didn’t flinch when he reached for me. His lips brushed against the top of my head, and I melted against his solid chest. My ear pressed to his heart, and I closed my eyes as the steady thrumming soothed my frayed nerves.
“I’m sorry this is so fucked up,” he said, his own voice thick with emotion.
“I never even thought I would see you again.”
He chuckled softly. “Now, I’m betting you wish you never had.”
I looked up, propping my chin on his breastbone. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I’ve torn up your whole life all over again.”
“You’re just trying to keep me safe.”
“Trying to keep us both safe.”
A sick sense of dread filled me at his quiet statement. I saw Bennett as an unshakable force. He was invincible. It hadn’t crossed my mind that he was in just as much—or maybe even more—danger as I was. If anything happened to him—no—I couldn’t let myself think about it. We might have been separated for a while, but now that we were together, it was impossible to think of losing him. He was the only thing that made me feel safe. Sane.
He was the only person who knew me.
Bennett brushed my hair back from my face and smiled down at me. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”
I nodded, and he dropped another kiss on my forehead. “I need to make some phone calls. I want you to stay here.”
“What kind of phone calls?”
“I have a buddy who works WITSEC protection details sometimes. He’ll have a better answer for me.”
I didn’t like the idea of him calling to inquire about putting me back in protection. It was the last resort in my mind. But I didn’t want to argue with him anymore. I couldn’t. The fight had drained out of me.
I stared up at him for a long moment but then sighed. “Fine. I need a shower.”
“All right. I’ll order some coffee and breakfast.”
I tucked my unruly hair behind my ears and gave him a nod. “I’ll be out in a little while.”
Before he released his grip on my shoulders, he pulled me closer and kissed my lips, lingering just long enough to remind me of why I was willing to trust him.
“Thank you, Tori.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Tori
Once inside the bathroom, I changed my mind and decided to take advantage of the enormous bathtub that dominated the entire wall along the windows facing the street. I figured the windows were tinted, but it felt odd undressing in front of a wall of windows. I stripped out of my wrinkled clothes and turned on the tap. The polished marble floor beneath my feet was warm to the touch. Heated floors. A girl could get used to this.