Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 19919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
I’m cruising down a quiet road, scanning every corner for signs of Remi and Winston. Just as my anxious thoughts start spiraling into worst-case scenarios, my phone rings, jolting me from the mental chaos. It's Dillon, and I answer immediately, my heart racing.
“Listen, we spotted your truck on an old dirt road out on the outskirts of town,” he says, urgency lacing his voice. “We’re on our way there now. I’ll send you the location. Get there as soon as you can.”
A rush of adrenaline hits me like cold water splashed on my face. “I’m on my way,” I reply, pulling a U-turn as the tires squeal on the pavement. I hammer the gas pedal, letting the engine roar as the landscape blurs past me. The clock is ticking, and I need to find my girl.
Dread builds beneath my rib cage as I imagine all the reasons why they’d spot Julian's truck in some remote area. I can’t get rid of this sick feeling that something is very wrong.
Finally, I pull up on the edge of the scene in the distance. The world stops when I see flashing lights, an ambulance parked on the side of the road, and two sheriff’s vehicles surrounding my company truck. I pull in sharply, tires kicking up dust as I park, my heart pounding in sync with the sirens.
I hop out of the truck, my brain sending warning signals as panic ratchets up in my chest. The sight of Julian sprawled out on the side of the road in handcuffs and looking dazed doesn’t help.
I look frantically all around, wondering where Remi is.
I ignore the shouts from the deputies as I make a beeline for Julian, ignoring all the procedures and instructions being barked at me. “What the hell happened?” I demand, voice low and menacing as I lean down to get a look at him.
He blinks at me, eyes narrowing, clearly disoriented. “I didn’t do anything, man! I was just—”
“If you touched her, I’ll kill you,” I snap, standing up to scan the area for signs of Remi, the knot in my stomach twisting tighter.
Julian stammers, trying to regain composure, but I can hardly focus on what he’s saying. My gaze shifts frantically until I spot Dillon pushing through the crowd. He strides over with a determined look.
“She’s fine, Piers,” Dillon assures me, voice steady but serious enough to keep me grounded.
“Where is she?” I demand, needing to see for myself she’s okay.
“Remi is in the ambulance,” he points out. “She’s not badly hurt, just a little banged up, but we’re checking her out. Let’s go.”
I don’t need telling twice, and I make my way toward the ambulance, Dillon right behind me. I almost shove the back doors open without thinking, but a part of me wants to approach this with caution. I push them open to find Remi sitting inside, looking at me with wide, bright eyes that somehow spark a mixture of relief and panic within me.
“Hey,” I breathe out, almost falling into the space beside her as the weight of the day threatens to crush me again. “Are you okay?”
She nods slowly, and I can read her expression—confusion mixed with that familiar spark of defiance I adore. “I’m fine, really. Just a little freaked out. That jerk hit me over the head and kicked Winston when he tried to protect me.” Anger unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life blasts through me, and I have the sudden urge to break the motherfucker in half. The only thing holding me back is my worry for Remi.
“Where’s the little furball?” I look around for Winston.
“He was completely traumatized, so I had one of my deputies drive him over to Jasper’s house. Hopefully, a little love and attention will help him recover,” Dillon tells me as I reach for Remi. I brush her hair back from her face while my heart races. I check her over, reassuring myself she’s in one piece. “Julian didn’t lay a hand on you?”
“No! He just kept talking about the date he was taking me on.” She blows out her breath. “He wasn’t making much sense, and I finally realized he’s either high or he’s completely lost his mind.”
“Or a combination of the two,” Dillon cuts in. “We’re going to take him to get checked out before we book him.”
As my heart settles in my chest, I take a deep breath, momentarily lost in gratitude that she’s okay. “You scared the fuck out of me, Cookie,” I murmur, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Oops, my bad,” she teases as I hug her luscious body close. Feeling the steady beat of her heart pressed against my chest helps ease the fear and rage coursing through me.
“I’m never letting you out of my sight again,” I whisper against her soft lips. “Ever.”