Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74125 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74125 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I move out of the threshold, beckoning him into Joslyn’s house. Once he’s in, I close the door, resetting the alarm.
He notices this, nodding at the security panel. “Not often I see a well-accomplished male feel the need to arm the security system while he’s home in broad daylight.”
Chuckling, I pivot away from him, walking into the kitchen. “It’s become force of habit. I’m constantly on my girlfriend’s case to make sure it stays armed at all times.”
The minute the word “girlfriend” rolls off my tongue, a warm feeling pulses through me. I realize how immediately accepting I am of the concept Joslyn is truly mine again.
What other titles will I have for her? Fiancée? Wife? Best friend? Lover? Co-parent?
None of that freaks me out. Instead, it all feels very, very right.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” I ask as Saint follows me into the kitchen.
“Sure. Black.”
As I set about to make him a cup of java, I fill him in on Joslyn and her stalker. When I finish, I say, “That’s why I’m here in California. But I’ll be headed back to Pittsburgh as soon as this case is wrapped up.”
“I’m interested to hear more about your company,” Saint remarks as he takes a seat at the kitchen island. “Jerico tells me you’re going in a new direction from what he originally envisioned.”
I chuckle, leaning my forearms on the countertop opposite of where he sits. “No offense to Jerico. He’s my best friend. But let’s just say I was getting a little tired of installing security systems and providing bodyguard services to celebrities with big egos and low self-esteem.”
Saint takes a sip of his coffee. After he sets the mug down, he asks point blank. “How exciting is the work you anticipate doing going to be?”
I shrug. “Anything from rescuing a kidnap victim from a South American jungle to stealing shit from America’s known enemies. It’s totally off-the-books stuff our government doesn’t want to be associated with but will gladly pay to have done.”
Saint nods in understanding at the same time my phone buzzes on the counter where I left it next to my laptop. I glance down, seeing a notification Joslyn has sent me a text.
Granted, while this interview is pretty informal, I am still in the middle of a business dealing and would ordinarily ignore such a thing.
But it’s Joslyn.
And knowing her, she is probably sending me something silly and designed only to make me smile.
I should ignore it.
But it’s Joslyn.
“Excuse me,” I say to Saint as I reach out to take my phone. After I tap on the text, I start to read, my body locking tight. In an instant, I feel like my entire life has just been shattered.
I’m so sorry, Kynan. He has Lynn. He’s going to kill her if I don’t go with him. I had to make a quick decision. No matter what happens, I love you so very much. Please forgive me for what I’m getting ready to do.
A wave of nausea hits me as I realize the kiss I gave Joslyn just before she walked out the door with Cruce may have been the last time I ever touch her. This text may be the last words she ever says to me.
He could be killing her right this very moment.
My phone rings in my hand. I’m so startled I almost drop it. Cruce’s name comes up on the screen, and I answer it by barking, “What the fuck is going on? I just got a text from Joslyn that sounds like she willingly went with the bastard.”
Saint stands up from the stool opposite me, his body tight and hyper alert as he watches me with concern.
“She ditched me at the Four Seasons,” Cruce grits out with anger and frustration. “Hopped out of the fucking car and said she had to use the bathroom. Ran off as I was trying to get out of the car. I swear to God, Kynan, I couldn’t have been more than ten seconds behind her, but she wasn’t in the bathrooms. She just disappeared.”
“I don’t fucking understand,” I say as I snag the keys to the car I rented when I first arrived in Santa Barbara. Saint follows along behind me as I head to the door, but I pay him no mind. “I’m on my way to you now.”
“I’ve already called the police. They should be arriving any moment. I’m in the employee parking lot off the service door from the lobby. I found her purse and phone. Saw a car pulling away pretty fast, and I managed to get a partial license plate on it, but I couldn’t see if she was in there or not.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I mutter. I’m so angry with Joslyn right now for doing this… and at Cruce for letting her. My head is fogged up, and my ability to form rational thought is impaired.