Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“I’ve seen more than my fair share of people doing fucked-up things for the strangest reasons. Don’t try to second-guess everyone in your life, baby. All it’ll do is drive you up the wall. Besides, that’s what you’ve got me for, to figure this shit out.”
Silas had been wrong when he said that his timing sucked. It turned out that he was in exactly the right place at the right time to help me…again.
4
SILAS
My hand curled into a tight fist, wishing I could crush the note inside it. But that would further contaminate any evidence left behind.
“We need to bag this,” I told Phoebe as I walked her back into the apartment. She grabbed a small plastic bag, and I carefully put the note inside and sealed it shut. Tomorrow, I would take it to a friend at a local lab and have it run for prints. Tonight, I would call Deacon and see if he could get his hands on the camera footage of the parking lot. Since his specialties were surreptitious entry and technical surveillance operations—and he was a wicked hacker—he was my best bet.
I turned to Phoebe, who still looked anxious, and tried to smooth out the scowl on my face so I wouldn’t further upset her. “Don’t worry, baby. I won’t let anything happen to you,” I murmured. “Why don’t you relax while I make some calls—”
“I have to go to this work event,” she sighed as she shook her head. “I’m still new, and if I don’t show up, it could jeopardize my job.”
I wanted to put my foot down and tell her she wasn’t going anywhere, but this was literally only the second time we’d ever met or even spoken to each other. I didn’t want to send her running before I had a chance to make her mine. If she knew just how deeply possessive I was of her already, she'd probably freak out and slam the door in my face. I didn’t understand how my feelings had grown so out of control in such a short time, but there was no turning back now.
However, not being able to stop her from going didn’t mean I had to let her go alone. “Fine,” I agreed. “Only if I go with you.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened, and she shook her head again as she opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off. “This is nonnegotiable, baby. Your safety comes first, and I’m not leaving your side until I know you’re not in any danger.”
My eyes swept over her from head to toe, once again admiring how fucking sexy she looked in her one-piece outfit that subtly showed off her delicious curves. Focus, Atwood. It wasn’t super dressy, and her thick red curls were pulled up into a casual ponytail, but I didn’t think showing up with a scruffy guy in jeans would help her image.
Jerking my head toward her front door, I said, “We can stop by my place on the way. It will only take me a few minutes to change.”
Phoebe’s mouth opened and closed a few times as she processed what I said. I simply stared at her with an expression that made it clear I wasn’t going to budge. I almost smiled in triumph when I saw a spark of excitement in her pretty blue eyes, and she nodded in acquiescence. Instead, my most charming smile spread slowly across my face, and I enjoyed the pretty shade of pink that bloomed on her cheeks.
“Get your cute ass moving, baby.” I put my hand on the small of her back as we walked outside, then waited for her to lock up before guiding her to the passenger side of my SUV.
“I can drive,” she protested. “I don't want you to have to bring me back—”
“Forget it, baby,” I rumbled as I opened the door. “Remember what I said about not leaving your side?”
Phoebe swallowed hard and looked as though she might say something but lost her nerve because she pressed her lips together and allowed me to help her up into the seat without comment. I buckled her in before she had the chance and almost groaned when my arm brushed over a hard nipple poking through her clothing. I took a deep breath, but it didn’t help since the air was filled with her mouthwatering scent. I quickly slammed the door shut and jogged to the driver’s side. Once I buckled my seat belt, I started the ignition and backed out. As I pulled out onto the street, I reached across the console and laced my fingers with hers before setting our hands on my thigh. I asked her about her work and kept our conversation going as I drove so she wouldn't have time to dwell on what happened or overthink what was developing between us. It also didn’t hurt that I wanted to know everything about her anyway.