Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“I don’t know how you were chosen,” he lied. “But just keep in mind that you’re on their radar if they still have one. Although they won’t have radar at all soon, so to speak.” He glanced at his watch. “We have to get going. If you could give us about fifteen minutes before you call for help, that’d be great.”
“What about the men you killed on the plane?” the youngest woman asked, her eyes wide.
Dax stuck a hand into his pocket, trying not to look dangerous in a move that nearly had Jasper rolling his eyes. “The plane’s about to blow up,” Dax said shortly.
Jasper nodded. “Yes. No one’s alive, so we’ll take care of that.” That wasn’t exactly true. But the Kurjans would die in the explosion.
Leah finally started to stir on the loveseat.
Jasper walked over and easily picked her up, holding her right where she belonged. His heart warmed, and the beast at his core rumbled a purr. “Just give us a few minutes,” he said.
“Hey, what’s going on?” she asked, snuggling into his neck.
“I think you have a concussion.” He held her tight. “Hold on. It’s still raining outside.”
He ducked into the blistery storm and jogged to gently place her in the back seat of the car. Then he and Dax made quick work of the plane, splashing accelerant all over the interior and much of the exterior before tossing in a lit match. Jasper then forced himself into the vehicle’s back seat, where he could lift Leah and cuddle her on his lap.
Dax grunted when he folded himself into the front seat and shut the door. “This thing’s too fucking small.”
“I know,” Jasper said, holding his mate and relaxing with her familiar scent.
Dax quickly drove away from the scene and then paused as an explosion rent the day. They all turned to look through the back window to see the plane engulfed in flames and burning high. Another explosion echoed from the fuselage.
“I would’ve liked to have kept that plane,” Dax muttered.
Jasper shook his head. “Too risky. We don’t know what kind of trackers they have on it.”
“There aren’t any trackers anymore,” Dax said with a grin.
“There’s also no Wallace anymore,” Leah said sleepily. “He’s gone.”
Dax started driving again.
Jasper leaned down and kissed the top of Leah’s head. “You get to cross off another name, baby.”
She snuggled closer. “It was the last one. I am so ready for a vacation.”
That was a good thing. “How’s your head?”
“Still swirling around,” she murmured.
He gingerly felt along her arm. “Did you break your arm?”
“I think I dislocated a shoulder,” she said, her lips pinched.
“Ah.” He let his fangs drop and sliced into his wrist. “Here, take some blood.”
“Ew, no,” she said, angling away.
He held the back of her head and shoved his wrist against her mouth. “Take the blood.”
Glaring at him, she gingerly swallowed. Her eyes lit up. She took more of the sustenance, pulling deeply.
He gently removed his wrist. “Not too much. My blood could be overwhelming.”
“Whoa,” she said, her eyes rolling back in her head.
Healing cells instantly lightened the air around her, and her shoulder slid smoothly back in place. The bruises on her head and neck disappeared. She opened her eyes, and they were a startling light brown. “That’s incredible. That’s what you feel like when you heal your body?”
“Yeah,” he said. “The more we’re together, the more you can take my blood. Actually, you should be able to heal yourself on your own someday.”
She looked around the car. “Where are we going?”
“We have a helicopter,” Dax answered, his voice low.
Jasper turned his attention to his younger brother. “Are you all right? Do you need blood?”
“No. I don’t need blood.” Dax cut him a harsh look.
Jasper shook his head. “Listen, you’re only a year younger than I am.” Which meant he was three hundred and ninety-eight years old. Once a Maxwell male hit around four centuries, they started to die if they didn’t find their mate. It was known as their curse. “You have to find her, man.”
Dax sighed. “I don’t know where she is. I may be one of the unlucky ones, Jasper.”
Jasper would not accept that. He’d find a mate for his brother if it was the last thing he did. He looked down at his own, who watched him with wide eyes. “What?”
“Your blood, it’s amazing. Everything feels good. I mean, nothing hurts.”
“I’m glad.” He kissed her on the nose. “I should probably tell you that I’m very happy you’re coming home to Montana with me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Were you giving me a choice?”
“No,” he said honestly. “But still, it’s nice that you want a vacation from hunting and violence.”
“I really do.” She caressed his chest through the cotton of his shirt.
Her touch warmed him throughout. “I should probably also tell you that I love you. Because I do, and I have for a long time.”