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)
“Really? Because it didn’t look much like it when I found you out here. You looked like you were about to lay Jacob down in the pasture and go at it.”
“There’s not going to be any going at it. I’m protecting Jacob. That’s all.”
Rhys sputtered with laughter. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”
“You just told me not to hurt him. I don’t want him to have any misconceptions about what’s happening. He’s here because he’s in danger. Not because I…”
“Want to fuck him?”
He was trying to piss me off, and I wasn’t going to let him. “Once Jacob’s problem is solved, we’ll find him a better place, some place even safer.”
“Safer than with you watching over him like a big, angry bear?”
“He doesn’t need to be around our guests.”
“Or you?”
I sighed. I really hated how well he knew me. “Or me.”
“You’re a good man, Grant. A hell of a lot of people owe their lives to you.”
I snorted. “Tell that to my commanding officer.”
“You did the right thing. It doesn’t matter what they say. You did what was right.”
“But not what I was ordered to do, and that’s all they care about.”
“That’s why you gave up fighting it. You did exactly what you should have done.”
I hated thinking about my decision not to fight my sentence any longer. “I don’t like giving up.”
“Sometimes you have to let go.”
“Exactly. Just like I need to let go of Jacob.”
“You’ve gotten seriously attached after one night. He must be quite talented.”
I snarled at my brother. “Don’t talk about him like that.”
“Wow. I’ve really never seen you like this. You totally misinterpreted what I’m saying. What you need to let go of is the idea that you’re like our father.”
“I know I’m not like him.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“A few months ago, I would’ve said yes, but look at me now. Helping out the same kind of people he worked for.”
“They’re not the same. The people who come here may be criminals, but they have lines they won’t cross. You wouldn’t have taken the job otherwise.”
I wish I knew that for sure.
9
JACOB
I’d been staring out my new bedroom window ever since I’d unpacked the meager belongings I’d collected from the bunkhouse. Rhys had made sure to point out that the room he was putting me in was next door to Grant. I almost asked to be moved, but I loved the room. It was the most soothing place I’d ever stayed. I had a view of the pasture where a few horses were frolicking. The walls were painted sky blue, and the huge four-poster bed had a dark green comforter. The color scheme almost made me feel like I was right outside with the horses. The room—together with the adjacent bathroom—was far larger than the studio apartment I’d been renting in Houston.
As I watched the horses, I pondered my situation. I wasn’t really trapped there, was I? As far as I could tell, I was the only person in the house. Who would know if I snuck out the back door? Sure, there were probably security cameras—I hoped there were, considering the situation—but before anyone reviewed the footage, I’d be long gone.
The real problem was where would I go? I didn’t even know precisely where I was. I’d have to steal a vehicle to get very far—or a horse, but even if I were a better rider, I would never take a horse away from the good home they had here. The ranch might be run by and for criminals, but it was obvious Grant and his brothers cared about the animals.
I’d wanted to ask Rhys more questions about Grant, but I hadn’t gotten up the nerve. He seemed nice enough, and despite his and Grant’s annoyance with each other, I could tell they were close. If I remembered right, Rogue had told me they’d been in the marines together.
I walked downstairs and headed for the back door. Was I seriously considering running? I walked out onto the deck and looked out over the fields. How far would I really get, and where would I be better off than I was at the ranch? I thought about the way Grant had looked at me when he’d first realized who I was. He’d been shocked but also glad to see me. I thought about the way he’d gently touched the horse and how watching him pet her made me jealous. I wanted his hands on me.
No way was I leaving.
I stepped inside and began exploring the kitchen. If I was staying, I needed to find out what food was in the house and come up with something to make for supper. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to start cooking right away, but I figured I might as well. From what Rhys had said, Grant wasn’t going to make anything decent for himself. I wondered how many people I’d be feeding. I’d never cooked for a large group, but I was sure I could learn.