Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Fathizadeh took Kyle’s hand—but he didn’t let go.
“We were actually just leaving,” I interrupted smoothly, stepping in and sliding an arm around Kyle’s waist. “Daisy had a few… ideas.” I let the word drip with implication, smirking. “So, we must sadly leave early.”
Cristóbal stayed where he was, too close, his eyes still locked on Kyle.
Fathizadeh chuckled. “Yes, one cannot pass up suggestions from a woman as beautiful as Ms. Trent.”
His eyes lingered, this time deliberately. First on her chest, then lower. I bit down so hard my jaw ached.
Kyle, ever the professional, only smiled. “It was a pleasure meeting you both tonight,” she purred, tilting her head. “I do hope we see each other again.”
Fathizadeh’s expression shifted, his gaze darkening with interest.
I tightened my grip on Kyle, and then, finally, we turned and started to walk away. I didn’t relax until we were out of that room, and even then, something told me this wasn’t over.
Not even close.
“Mm, yes, sweet Daisy. It has been a pleasure meeting you both, and I have no doubt we will meet again very soon.”
Cristóbal’s voice was smooth as he spoke to our backs, almost lazy, but there was something underneath it now. Something sharper, darker, and it sent a new wave of tension crawling up my spine.
Then he turned his gaze on me. “Aaron, make sure you keep her close.”
This time, there was no mistaking it—a threat, laced with something menacing, something possessive. His eyes burned with something I didn’t fucking like, and my fingers twitched with the urge to break his fucking jaw.
Instead, I gave him a slow, measured nod, took Kyle’s hand, and guided her away, each step controlled despite the violent energy flooding my veins.
As we moved through the parking lot, I kept my grip on Kyle, keeping her close, my senses on high alert. The people milling around acted casual, but I wasn’t stupid enough to believe it. Every instinct told me we were being watched.
When we reached the car without interference, I exhaled, my body itching to get the hell out of there. My fingers reached for the handle, but Kyle’s hand shot out, stopping me as she tapped her necklace.
Fuck.
The Bentley’s lights flashed as it unlocked, but not from me.
Right, the protocol. The teams had been watching the car from their screens, running security in real-time. Once Kyle tapped her necklace, a silent signal, they’d scanned for any tampering before unlocking it remotely. I’d been so caught up in getting the fuck out, I almost skipped a step that could’ve gotten us killed.
Kyle didn’t say anything, but I knew she noticed.
I clenched my jaw and got in, the moment we pulled away the anger inside me exploded.
“God fucking damn it, Kyle!” I slammed my fist against the wheel, making the car swerve slightly before I corrected it. She barely flinched, staring grimly out the windshield. “He knows who you are!”
Her fingers tightened around her dress, but her voice remained even. “It appears that way.”
“Appears that way?” My disbelief came out sharp.
Before she could answer, the car’s Bluetooth system rang, and Preacher’s name flashed across the dashboard.
Kyle sighed and hit Answer before I could. “We know,” was all she said.
“Yeah, we figured as much,” Preacher’s voice was tight with anger. “You’ve also got three tails.”
I flicked my eyes to the mirror. I’d already clocked them because they weren’t being as discreet as they thought, but it made me feel easier that the others were onto them too.
“Yeah,” I muttered, gripping the wheel tighter. Until I had Kyle back behind our gates, I wouldn’t relax.
Then Duke’s voice cut in. “Jagger, I need you to drive like an asshole. I want you to swerve, speed, do whatever you can. At the next gas station, pull over and argue, and, Kyle, you take over the driving after.”
Beside me, Kyle grinned. “I’ve always wanted to see what one of these can do.”
My foot instinctively pressed on the accelerator in irritation. How the hell was she excited right now? Most of the time, Kyle was level-headed, tactical, deadly serious. But now she wanted to play with the fucking car?
I shook my head but didn’t argue. Instead, I followed Duke’s orders. The second one of the tails got too close, I slammed my foot down on the brake, jerking the wheel to swerve sharply in front of them. The tires screeched, the seatbelt cut into my chest, but the car behind me had to lurch to a halt, nearly getting rear-ended by the others.
Kyle barely blinked, and my frustration burned hotter. She was in fucking danger, and she was acting like this was a game.
A gas station came into view, and my instincts told me to keep going, to stay in control, and not to stop. But Kyle already knew Duke’s plan. If she trusted it, I had to.