Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“I’ll go out there and tell them all to fuck off,” Daphne says. She shakes her arm again but still has no luck getting free of Tiernan. Based on the way he keeps looking at her, I’m starting to think that she’s never going to get free.
“I’m going to the gate. The only reason they should be here is because Diego shot down their drones,” Charles says.
I cringe, not wanting anyone here to get in trouble because of us. These men not only saved us, but they have been keeping us here safe.
“Everyone stay put,” Charles orders.
I hear Aurora asking Diego where he learned to shoot like that. She leans into his side, making him tense up.
I stand there for a moment. I want to go down there, too. These girls are my responsibility. I don’t have to take orders from Charles. Except in bed. That’s different.
“You’re with me, pretty eyes.” He grabs a big heavy coat for me to put on.
My heart melts that he knew I’d want to be a part of talking not only to the police but the paparazzi. He holds the coat open for me. I walk over to him, allowing him to help me put it on. “Stay behind me until I assess the situation.”
I nod my head even though I don’t really plan on doing that. He grabs my hand, leading me to the door.
My mind begins to race thinking about what lies outside. A pang of guilt hits me as I think about the fact that maybe we’ve really put everyone here in danger. They’ve all been living here in peace and quiet. Trying to lead normal lives, and now we’ve brought all this attention to their doorstep. By helping us, they’ve been exposed.
Charles grabs me and kisses me hard. Everything leaves my mind for a moment as I kiss him back. “Everything is going to be fine. This is restricted land.”
“The drones?” I’m guessing you can’t go around shooting drones out of the sky. If only. I would have been doing it for years.
“Fair game. This is a restricted fly zone.”
My eyes widen because I know what that means. Charles must know some very important people or do tasks for them sometimes. There aren't many no-fly zones in the States. I know this because Aurora owns a plane.
“What’s on the gate cameras?” he asks.
“Can’t see shit. The assholes spray-painted them or did something to take them out.” Tiernan sounds almost murderous.
“Sounds like them.” I wince. I hate them so much.
“Let's get this over with. I’ll tell the paparazzi to fuck off, and you tell the cops to fuck off.” What does it matter at this point if the paparazzi know we’re here? The whole point was to get away, and from the look of Charles’ face, no one is getting anywhere near any of us.
14
CHARLES
I keep Clover behind me. She cozies up to my back as I slowly open the door leading from the lodge down to the gate.
The snow has stopped, and the sky is so bright it hurts my eyes for a moment. I wait so they can adjust, then move slowly down the snowy slope, keeping a grip on Clover just in case it gets icy.
“I hate the paps. They are the worst. How did they find us here? It’s insane!” She sighs. “Now we’ve gone and gotten everyone looking at you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’re my lucky Clover.” I don’t blame her for once second. “You showing up on that road is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
She yanks my hand, and I stop and turn to her.
“That is seriously the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.” Her big eyes are full of something like adoration.
My chest squeezes just looking down into such a hopeful, beautiful face. I kiss her hard, staking my claim. She’s mine. No one will take her from me. And if the paparazzi bother her? They’d best get the fuck off my property before I start shooting.
A high whistle catches my ear. Diego is in position along the roofline. I didn’t have time to link us up with Bluetooth earbuds before I walked out. Which is shitty, since it would be nice to know what he sees from his perch up there.
I drop one more kiss on Clover, then turn back to the gate. It’s a full sheet of metal, no cracks or bars. No one is getting a view of this side unless I let them in.
We ease closer.
I don’t hear voices or even the snap of cameras. Something falls into the pit of my stomach like a rock, and the hairs on my arm stand on end.
“Down!” I turn and tackle Clover into the snow as a slug hits the gate, the sound of the shot coming after.