Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
“You sure?” I asked, my voice thick and raw. Why did I have to want her so badly when I should only be focused on protecting her and keeping her safe? Was this how Blink felt daily? If so, no wonder he was so fucking feral when it came to Lindsey.
I barely saw her nod in the dark. “Yes, please.”
I padded barefoot across the hardwood floor to reach the other side of the bed. Slowly, I slid beneath the covers, keeping some distance between us. I wanted so badly to reach out and tug her closer to me, to feel her body press against mine, but I resisted the instinct to do so.
She needed time. And space. And I would give her that.
Even if it might murder my balls.
“Goodnight, Carver,” she said softly.
I smiled at her, though I was sure she couldn’t see it. “Goodnight, princess.”
Jennifer’s scream shattered the quiet apartment, jerking me out of my sleep. I shot into an upright position, my gun already in my hand. But there wasn’t a threat in the room—not any that weren’t in her own head anyway.
She was having a fucking nightmare.
I quickly shoved my gun back under my pillow before reaching out to draw her sobbing form against my body. She jerked awake, her nails digging into my chest hard enough to draw blood. She took one look at my face and started crying harder, curling into my arms and letting me hold her.
“I thought you sent me back,” she sobbed. “I thought Blink gave the order—” Her voice broke off on a hiccup, followed by a sob that left her choking and gasping for air.
I buried my face in her dark waves, tightening my hold on her. “We’ll never send you back. And no one can touch you here,” I promised, my voice husky with sleep but strong. “I’ll slaughter anyone who tries to.”
She only nodded, her tears drenching my skin. I didn’t know how long we sat like that, but eventually, her tears began to slow, and soon after, her breaths began to even out until she was quietly sleeping on my lap, her tear-damp cheek resting against my chest. I slowly moved across the mattress until my back was resting against the headboard and continued holding her.
My back would be aching something fierce in the morning, but that didn’t matter to me. What mattered was that she was comfortable. That she felt safe.
I’d endure anything to give her what she needed.
And fuck if that thought wasn’t terrifying.
7
Carver
Isipped at my coffee as Blink took his seat at the head of the table. He cleared his throat and looked at me. “Brian is coming to meet Jennifer.”
The fuck?
I clenched my jaw. “Why?” I demanded. “The fuck does he need to meet her for? If he’s been doing business with the fucking Lockheart MC, then shouldn’t he know who she is by now?” I didn’t want anyone that wasn’t family around Jennifer. She’d been through enough. What if Brian betrayed us and told the Lockheart MC where she was?
Blink shook his head. “According to him, only club girls were present when he was there. If she was there, she was kept under lock and key.”
I gritted my teeth. “Still doesn’t answer why he wants to meet her, Blink. You don’t think this is a set-up? It’s fucking weird, brother.”
Blink shook his head. “Brian’s not like that. I asked him for his help. Because when the Lockheart MC finds out she’s here, Derrick is going to bring hell down upon us. And we need more numbers than what we have now. We need back-up and allies, Carver.”
I clenched my jaw. Carter gripped my shoulder, squeezing hard enough to force me to bring my temper back under control. “Rein it in, brother,” he murmured. “If Brian tries something stupid, we’ve all got your back when it comes to protecting her. Right?” he asked, looking pointedly at Blink, who ultimately called the shots.
Blink inclined his head to me. “You have my word, brother.”
I relaxed a little. If Blink was giving his word to protect her, I knew he would. Which meant he also wouldn’t bring around anyone he thought might bring her harm.
“Okay,” I muttered, giving in. “We’ll do it your way.”
Jennifer frowned at me. “You want me to… meet someone who does business with my dad?” Her voice trembled near the end of her question, trepidation flickering in her pretty blue eyes. I hated the fear lingering there. I would never let anything happen to her.
I sighed. “I don’t want you to,” I admitted. She frowned. “But your father will eventually find out where you are—” She made a small squeak full of fear, so I drew her to me, holding her in my arms, “—so Blink wants to get Brian on our side. This way, if we need help, he’ll come through. There’s only four of us, princess. Your father’s club has—what?”