Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“You were perfect,” I whisper against her lips. “So perfect.”
“You tasted good,” she confesses, and I have to stop.
“Keep saying things like that and we’re never leaving this parking garage.” I smile and shake my head as I release her and then buckle her into her seat. “Let’s get this over with, and then I’m going to keep you locked in that hotel room for days.”
I glance down at the shoes she’s wearing and how they are similar to ballet slippers with the ribbons around her ankle. It disguises the ankle monitor, but I can’t help but think about using them to tie her to the bed.
“Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?” she says, shaking me out of my dirty thoughts.
“We’re meeting with one of my handlers called Johnson. Not sure that’s his real name, but that’s what I’ve been told to call him. I’ve got to identify some of the people he’s holding before their twenty-four hours are up and he has to release them. If I can make a positive identification, then it will mean my involvement with this case is closed and they can shut down that entire organization. Including the distributors.”
“This is really important then.” Rue bites her bottom lip as she thinks it over. “And you didn’t want to leave me at the hotel?”
“I couldn’t risk it,” I say and place my hand on her bare thigh. “There’s a lot of money involved in this case, and these people are willing to do anything to keep it. They’ll use anyone to take me down. Once they know how much you mean to me, you’ll be the next target. You’re mine to protect, and I won’t take a chance. Especially with your ex running around. Who knows if they’ve made the connection to you being there and gotten to him.”
“Is that really a possibility?” I don’t want to scare her, but she needs to know this is serious.
“Barbra could have talked. Hell, Johnson could have. But I’d rather have you by my side knowing I can protect you than in the hotel room alone like a sitting duck. We’re not separating.”
“Then we’re a team?” she asks, placing her hand on top of mine.
“If that’s what you want to call it. But I think it’s a lot more than that.” I lean closer, placing a kiss on her lips before starting the car and leaving the garage.
Chapter Eleven
RUE
Maxim pulls up to a warehouse and parks beside a few other vehicles. I have no clue where we are, and there isn’t a sign anywhere. I’m surprised the place isn't empty and looks like some kind of warehouse district with a bunch of different businesses.
The streets aren’t packed, but it’s clear people are around. Whatever this is, it's hiding in plain sight. This would be a good place to run. There are lots of places to hide and corners to turn. The buildings are high enough and close enough together that I wouldn’t have to be fast. All I would need is a head start.
“Is this some kind of top-secret building?” I don’t love the idea of being around a bunch of people who can throw me in the slammer, but I have to admit they’ve got some pretty cool super spy stuff.
I have a few tricks of my own. Not that I’m going to let anyone in on those. It’s too soon, and I’m trying to trust Maxim. It’s hard for me when everyone in my life has let me down. Especially when they’ve chosen themselves over me.
“Not really, but it’s not broadcasted either.” He opens his door. “Stay put.”
“Hey!” I call when he shuts his door on me.
Is he really going to leave me in the car? I guess that’s not the worst-case scenario because I could use the time alone to escape. Do I want to escape? Not really. Maybe Maxim actually trusts me. The realization makes me warm in my chest, and I can’t remember the last time I felt that way. I’m so lost in thought that I’m surprised when my car door opens.
“You really think I was going to leave you alone out here?”
Right, of course he wasn’t. I take his hand, and Maxim pulls me from my seat into his big body.
“I suppose not. I could get away from you if you did.” I give him a playful smirk to mask my true feelings.
Maxim shuts the car door before pinning me to the side of it in a heartbeat. I can tell from his hard expression he’s not being playful at all. He crowds me while his hands come down on the top of the car. I bet if someone walked by, they wouldn’t even be able to see me under him. God knows he’s all I see right now. He takes up every inch of my vision, and I have to drop my head all the way back to meet his eyes with mine.