Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 108044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“I am tired,” she announced. “I will go to bed.”
He didn’t have to coerce or even prompt her? That was a first. Usually, she fought sleep, even leaving lights on, he suspected because she feared being vulnerable in the dark. So why was she now volunteering? Was she finally starting to trust him?
“Go ahead. I’ll be along soon.” Once exhaustion had claimed her, he’d slink into bed and catch a few hours of sleep.
She shook her head. “I-I feel safer with you beside me.”
Since when? “Let me check in with the office and make sure we’re secure.”
“But—”
“I’ll only be a handful of steps and a few moments away. That will give you some privacy to get ready.” He picked up his SIG and shoved it in his holster, covering the bulge with a baggy shirt. “You’ll be fine, Laila. I promise.”
And I’ll see if you’re up to something in the process.
He slipped on his shoes and headed outside. The January air was crisp, the wind cool and humid. But he couldn’t complain. Tonight was probably a good twenty degrees warmer than his hometown in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Sometimes, he missed the hell out of the fog clinging to the mountains and the leaves changing spectacular colors to usher in fall. Not that this part of Alabama wasn’t pretty with its moss-covered trees, white churches, and Southern charm. But it wasn’t the same.
Vaguely, he wondered what the rest of his family was doing. Last he’d heard, his father’s age and declining health had forced him to retire from coal mining. His oldest sister had taken a bunch of student loans and gone to college. She’d planned to move back home to teach but instead married a rich boy from Charleston and never looked back. His youngest had gotten pregnant in high school, failed to graduate, and stayed home to perpetuate the poverty that had marked his childhood. His brothers had apparently scattered to the wind.
It had been a few years since he’d talked to any of them. He’d walked away from that cramped, pale green clapboard house with its single bathroom, peeling paint, and a slew of memories, sure that leaving would lighten their load. Zy had become his brother after basic. Together they’d survived hostiles, war on foreign soil, and utter hell. He hadn’t given his actual siblings much thought—until tonight. The way Laila gave and took strength from hers made him wonder if he’d given his family one less mouth to feed when he’d left nearly eighteen years ago…or abandoned them when they’d needed him most.
The vague sense of shame clung when his phone buzzed in his pocket and he answered. “What’s up, Zy?”
“Long fucking day. How about you?” His buddy sounded tired.
“Not too bad.” A total lie, but he didn’t want to add to Zy’s problems now. “But a few long fucking nights.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m driving this recreational tank from campground to campground, trying to take our sweet time returning to Lafayette.”
“Yeah. Is the plan not working?”
“Oh, it is. We haven’t been followed.” At least not since they’d left Orlando. “I’m sure of that.”
“So what’s wrong?”
“Everything Laila has to wear is meant for Florida weather and seems two sizes too small. When I look at her, it’s impossible not to see tits and ass and that wide fucking mouth. I stare at it all the time—I can’t seem to stop—and my cock is like a divining rod that points only to her.”
Maybe that was too honest. Sure, he’d given Zy a change of subject…but he needed to stop obsessing about Laila before he freaked her out, get himself under control, be a fucking professional, and get some damn sleep.
“You like her.”
“Fuck yes, I do. She’s…sweet.” Well, the way she cared about her family was. “She’s thoughtful. She’s strong. She’s the kind of woman I want to hold and protect while I’m aching to violate and defile her in every way known to man.” He sighed. “And after one look, she was terrified of me.”
“Can she hear you?”
“No. She’s inside.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What the hell can I do? I’ve got to keep driving her around in this hell on wheels until you tell me Valeria is safe enough in her new location and Laila can move in, no problem.”
“You can head back to Lafayette,” Zy said.
Thank God. His close confines—and his fixation—with Laila would finally end. Being with her sister would definitely make her happier, especially while Jorge was under the weather. As soon as he had a couple of hours of shut-eye, they would get on the road. “Where should I drop her?”
“The last time we talked, Valeria was convinced Laila will be in less danger if they don’t share the same roof. And I can’t really argue. Two women and a baby boy are a lot less common, so they’re a lot more noticeable.”