Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
He didn’t know . . . and until he did, he was going to keep a close eye on her.
Instead of just brushing things off or laughing away Judd’s demands like he normally would, Hux got up in his business. Standing almost chest to chest with him.
Beck gave Hux a surprised look. But Owen had seen him with the girl. Knew that he had felt a pull toward her.
One that they couldn’t give in to. Not just because she was their charge. But because there were a whole lot of unknowns about her. They’d all decided that if they wanted another woman to share, that they’d be better with a woman from Escana. Someone who wanted the same things they did.
Someone they all wanted. Although how they’d find someone to put up with all of them, he had no idea. They weren’t easy men to be with.
Including him.
Maybe especially him.
“What the fuck do you mean, what happened?” Hux snapped. “Nothing happened. Are you implying that I did something to her?”
“What?” Judd stared at the other man in shock. “Of course not. Fuck. Why would you think that?”
“Everyone just chill,” Beck said in a low voice. “We can’t talk about this here. Hux, you need a shower and food. Judd, you need sleep. That means that Owen and I are on duty today.”
While Judd was their leader, Beck was often the voice of reason.
“I’m fine,” Judd protested. “I don’t need sleep.”
They all shot looks at him.
“There’s no need to be up all night keeping watch, is there?” Hux asked, running his hand down his face as he glanced over at the door. They all stepped closer to the ATV as though in unspoken agreement. “They’re not a risk or Caleb wouldn’t have agreed to their visit.”
“Still don’t like it,” Judd said stubbornly.
It might seem irrational, but Owen understood. The way he and Judd had grown up, they were inherently suspicious of outsiders.
Besides . . . there was something about this guy. Lord Fothersam. Jesus, what a name.
Beck sighed, but nodded. “They’re still guests of the princes and if we make this an issue they might complain. And then someone else will be assigned to them.”
“Who?” Judd demanded. “Those idiot ex-MI6 dickheads? They’re not as good at their jobs as we are.”
Well, he didn’t know about that. Ian and Jack seemed good at their job.
“Maybe,” Beck said. “So let’s play this cool. They’re only here a short time.”
Damn. He didn’t like the idea of that. And he could tell by the way Hux stiffened that he didn’t like it either.
What would happen once the girl was gone?
This weird feeling in his gut would hopefully disappear.
Judd crossed his arms over his chest with a grunt. He definitely needed some sleep. Owen knew he took on everything himself. Everything that went wrong, he internalized as his fault. His failure.
“Fine,” Judd said. “Agreed.”
Beck let out a breath, rolling his neck back and forth.
“Owen, take the ATV back and then join Beck,” Judd ordered. “You can watch the girl while Beck takes Lord Fothersam.”
He was getting the girl? Interesting choice. And he wasn’t sure it was the right one.
Then again, she was meant to be resting all day. Taking it easy.
He wondered if she would.
That sort of disobedience should be punished. And he was intrigued at the idea of delivering a punishment. Of putting her over his knee. Spanking her bare ass while she kicked her legs and begged to be set free.
Fuck. Yes. It was a bad idea to assign him to the girl. But he didn’t say anything.
Wasn’t his place.
“Owen, watch the girl closely in case she’s not feeling well.”
“She got dizzy because she pushed herself too far and fast,” Hux said. “The girl can run. It was almost . . .”
“Almost what?” Beck asked.
“Like she was trying to outrun someone. Or something.”
Well, if anyone knew about trying to outrun your demons, it was the four of them.
The web between him and the girl just grew tighter.
And Owen didn’t think that was a good thing.
7
Chloe felt awful.
She was so exhausted that her eyes felt gritty. As though there wasn’t enough moisture in the air. And it felt almost difficult to breathe. Her stomach clenched. She felt nauseous and hungry all at the same time.
After her shower, she’d wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest for a while. But Jonathan had ordered them in breakfast.
As though they were staying in a hotel with room service.
She’d dropped her gaze with embarrassment as someone had delivered them breakfast and he’d been incredibly rude and dismissive. He’d even complained about how dirty the suite was when she’d thought it was spotless.
This is what he was like at home too. They’d gone through so many staff that currently there wasn’t anyone to do all the cooking and cleaning except for her.