Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
I shake my head, struggling to determine what he could mean by that. Maybe he’s referencing his old job and stuff that happened overseas. “I don’t understand,” I tell him.
He gestures at the chandelier. No, the restaurant in general. Really, he’s gesturing to our date, the fact we’re sitting here together. “Look at us. James would freak if he knew I was here.”
“Would he, though?”
“I think he would.”
“But why? We literally went on one date. We met once. Maybe he thought there would be a second chance when he sent me those flowers, but surely he gets the point now. Surely, he understands there was never anything between us, and there never will be.”
“I don’t know.” Fletcher runs a hand through his hair, making me wish I was doing it instead. I want to lean forward, trail my hand all over his body, and forget about the complications forever. “He said something that—” Fletcher cuts off when his phone vibrates on the table. “It’s Charles Malone, the PI.”
“With news about Loki?” I ask.
“Could be.”
I wave a frantic hand. “Then answer it.”
He picks up the phone. I don’t have to ask what Charles Malone says to know it’s serious. Fletcher changes entirely. He frightens me a little. It’s not something specific about him. It’s more about his aura. If I were painting him in an impressionist style, he’d be surrounded by dark energy. He looks at me as if I’m not here, as if he’s seeing through me, witnessing something horrible.
“Where?” he says after a pause. “Yeah, I can be there. That’s lucky. I’m not far.” He hangs up and pushes his chair back. “I’m sorry, Samantha. I’ve got to go. Charles Malone has found where they’re keeping the dogs. It’s not far from here, luckily. It would’ve been an hour’s drive otherwise.”
That’s how long it took us to get out here, far enough from the area, so the chances of seeing James are low.
“Let me call you a cab,” he says.
“What?” I sit up. “No way. I’m going with you. I want to make sure Loki’s okay, too, and maybe you’ll need backup.”
He smiles indulgently, but the smile drops when I do something I never dreamed I’d be able to. Something about the date with my man has unlocked doors inside of me. Maybe they haven’t been thrown open all the way. Perhaps nerves are still inside me, but I can slam my hand on the table, lean forward, and stare seriously at him.
“Don’t smile at me like that. I’m not a little trick pony. I’m not a joke. I’m not talking about me running in there with guns blazing, but what if you need emotional support? Or backup in a different way? I don’t want to leave you.”
“Why?” he growls.
“Because you look ready to kill. You look like you’re going to get yourself into trouble.”
“The trouble isn’t mine,” he snarls. “The trouble belongs to the bastards who took my dog.”
I stand up. “I’m coming with you. I mean it. Don’t try to stop me.”
For a moment, I think he’s going to tell me no. He glares up at me with deathly intent, that soldier’s readiness. Then the corner of his mouth twitches. Is he proud? “Okay, but you’re waiting in the car. I can’t risk you getting hurt.”
“Fair enough,” I reply. “As long as you’re not alone.”
As Fletcher pays the bill, I remember what he said before Charles Malone called. “He said something that—” He was talking about James—a reason his son would care about us being together. He said something that what? But now isn’t the time to ask. A dog’s life is at risk.
In a strange way, I’m almost relieved we’re doing this. Everything else is so complicated and confusing, but an innocent dog… That’s simple. We don’t have to think deeply about that. Our only option is to save him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Fletcher
I leave the city by the north exit, my girl sitting beside me, wringing her hands together anxiously. I almost told her what James said about falling in love with her at first sight. I was on the cusp of revealing it when Charles called, giving me notions about fate again. It was like fate didn’t want me to ruin what Samantha and I have.
Now, I speed through the outer city, breaking into the countryside with more fields than built-up blocks. My GPS tells me we’re only a mile away. Sweat coats my body, my heart thudding, but only because Samantha is here. Bringing her was a mistake. I shouldn’t feel anything right now except ice-cold intent.
It’s there, my usual fierceness. When the time comes, I can switch off my feelings, fear, and everything else, but what if somebody threatens my woman? I’m not sure I’d be able to be calm. Hell, I almost tore my son’s head off, and that was before Samantha and I had even kissed.