Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 70097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“He told me I could learn on the job.”
Grant shook his head. “I would be mad at him, but he probably saved your life, and I owe him for that.”
I knew I shouldn’t let his words get my hopes up, but he sounded so sincere. Did he have feelings for me that went beyond duty? “Should I go back to mending the fence with TJ?”
Grant scowled. “Hell no. You don’t need to be anywhere near him.”
“You said he wasn’t a danger to me.”
“Rogue said that, and that’s not the point. You shouldn’t be around any of these men. This is what we’re supposed to be protecting you from.”
“No, my manipulative asshole of an ex-boyfriend is what I needed protection from, and honestly, all I asked Rogue for was a place to stay until I could find another job. Rogue helped me find my last one, so he’s already done a lot.”
“The job at the bar?”
“Yes.”
“Damn, that’s another thing I have to thank him for. He put you in my path, right where you needed to be.”
Heat rushed to my face. “That was… I… You said it’s dangerous for me here.”
“It is but not as dangerous as you being out there on your own. I’m going to fix your problem.”
“And then send me on my way?” I immediately knew I shouldn’t have said that. This was about him taking care of me, not… My mind flashed to the feel of him inside me. The way he’d gripped my hips as he drove deep. The sounds of pure pleasure he’d made as he came. He’d wanted that as much as I had.
Grant scowled. “You’re not going anywhere until I say you’re safe.”
“Because you’re in charge?”
My heart pounded as he took a step toward me. What was he going to do? Whatever it was, I didn’t think I was going to protest. He reached for me, then we were interrupted by a laugh.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but I like it.”
I turned toward the speaker and was confused when I saw Rogue. Why had he changed his clothes? And had his hair always been that short?
He grinned at me. “I’m Rhys. It’s nice to meet you. I see you’ve already met Grant.”
“Leave us alone,” Grant snapped. “We’re busy.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m serious.”
“Wow. Rogue said you and the new boy knew each other.”
Grant gave him an icy look, but he didn’t flinch. I supposed he was used to it.
“His name is Jacob.” He turned to me. “Jacob, this is my brother. Usually Rogue is the asshole twin, but—”
“I have my days,” Rhys assured me.
“Do you have a reason for being here other than bothering me?” Grant asked.
“I wanted you to see how far Orbit has come. He’s finally ready to be ridden by someone other than me.”
It had been so long since I’d been on a horse. “I could—”
“No,” they both said.
I failed to hide how hurt I was by the harshness of their answer.
“She’s young and wasn’t trained properly when she should have been,” Rhys said. “I need a very experienced rider to work with her first. Later, though…”
Grant glared at him. “He doesn’t need to be around the assholes out here.”
“Are you going to lock me in my room?”
“Watch out. He might just tie you to the bed.” Rhys tried and failed to hide a smile.
I made a strangled sound, and I was sure my face was bright red.
“That is e-fucking-nough out of you.” Grant snarled. “But keeping Jacob in the house isn’t a bad idea.”
Anger replaced my embarrassment. “What? No.”
“There’s plenty that needs to be done in there.”
“Can you cook?” Rhys asked. “Because Grant is hopeless, and he won’t prioritize hiring a chef.”
“Yes, but—”
“Perfect.”
I shook my head. “I want to work with the horses.”
“I want you where I know you’re safe.”
“Then send me to some other safehouse.”
He scowled. “No.”
I’d known Grant was stubborn. He’d expected me to do exactly what he said the night I met him at his truck, and I had. But this wasn’t just a hookup. This was my life, my safety, my ability to trust.
Rhys looked back and forth between the two of us. “Why don’t I take Jacob to the house and offer him one of the guest rooms?”
“Fine. Jacob, don’t leave the house without me or one of my brothers.”
“Well, that answers the prisoner question.” I couldn’t keep the disdain out of my tone.
Rhys scowled at his brother. “Did you tell Jacob he was a prisoner here?”
“I told him he was staying here so he wouldn’t get killed, just like the rest of these assholes.”
“So I’m an asshole now?”
“No. I didn’t mean that. Shit. Rogue’s to blame for you being here, but this is the safest place for you, and I… I want you safe.”
Rhys snorted, and Grant gave him another of his icy stares.
“Would you like to come with me?” Rhys asked. “I promise you’ll be more comfortable in the house than where you’ve been staying.”