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)
I had no doubt about that. If the house was as well maintained inside as it was outside, it was going to be like paradise compared to most other places I’d lived. The bunkhouse was more similar to the standards I was used to.
Was I really going to do this? Did I have a choice? I took a slow deep breath and glanced at Rhys, then Grant. Grant gave me a firm nod. I knew he was telling me this was the right thing, and he would keep me safe. I didn’t know how he could communicate so much with a simple gesture, but I heard his message as plainly as if he had spoken it.
Could I trust him, though?
My instincts told me I could. I thought again about the way he’d tended to the pregnant mare. His hands had been so gentle. A truly evil man wouldn’t treat a horse like that. Trey would never even touch a horse. He might get some dirt on his precious suit.
I turned back to Rhys. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
8
GRANT
I was still standing at the fence, staring across the pasture and wondering what the hell I’d just done, when I heard Rhys approaching. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was him. I could tell by the cadence of his footsteps and the way he brushed his hand back and forth across his thigh as he walked. I didn’t want to talk to him, but he would be relentless until I answered his questions.
“So when did you meet him? Or I suppose I should say when did you fuck him?”
I growled, taking a step toward my brother. “Are you looking for a fight?”
“You know that’s more Rogue’s style than mine. I’m just trying to shock you into talking.”
Of course he was. That was totally Rhys’s style. Rogue was the one who was often spoiling for a fight. I was already worried about whether he’d be able to keep himself in check without the thrill of the rodeo to relieve his need for an adrenaline rush.
“Seriously, Grant, how did you meet Jacob, and if he was mixed up with the Russos, are you sure you can trust him?”
Anger burned through me. I couldn’t remember a time I’d been so close to punching Rhys. “Of course I know I can trust him. He was Trey’s victim, not someone who was working for him.”
“If he had been working for Trey, would you expect him to tell you?”
“Jesus, you’ve always been the most suspicious one of us.”
“And it’s saved our lives plenty of times.”
That was true. I’d learned to trust Rhys’s instincts, and he’d never steered me wrong. I didn’t want to think Jacob could be anything other than the innocent young man he appeared to be, but I had to consider it. “Do you sense something from him? Something off?”
Rhys shook his head. “As far as I can tell, he is who he says he is, but we have to consider the possibility. This all seems so convenient, him knowing Rogue then meeting you.”
“He served me at a bar. It was a random encounter.” At least I hoped to hell it was.
“The bar where you met X?”
“Yes, but he’d been working there for months, and Rogue helped him get the job. X and I didn’t even decide where to meet until the day before.”
“Still.”
I sighed. “I’ll ask X to have his tech guy check Jacob out, okay? He might have done that already.”
“Why?”
“Because X was there when I asked Jacob to meet me later that night.”
Rhys laughed and shook his head.
“X told me Jacob was trouble. But he didn’t mean the kind of trouble you’re thinking. X just wanted me focused on his job offer.”
Rhys snorted. “You’ve been focused for way too long. You deserve to have some fun.”
“You don’t seem to want me to.”
He sighed. “I’m just looking out for you. It’s not like you to indulge yourself, especially with a boy like that.
“He’s not a boy. He’s an adult.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Rhys,” I growled.
“I’m not suggesting he’s underage, just that if he’s not hiding anything, he’s way too innocent for you.”
I blew out a long breath. “That’s why I need to find someplace else for him to go.”
“You mean another safehouse?”
“Yeah, one where we send decent people.”
Rhys laughed.
“You mean the women and children? Because Jacob is neither.”
“I know. Believe me, I know.”
“I’m sure you do.”
I glared at him but gave no other response.
“Don’t hurt him.”
“A second ago, you thought he might be a spy for the Russos, and now you’re telling me not to hurt him. Make up your fucking mind.”
“I had to ask. You needed a push to make sure your instincts were firing on this one. I didn’t want you blinded by his pretty face.”
I snarled at my brother. “I have enough sense not to think with my dick.”