Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Plus, puddles.
But there was something sad in Immy’s voice that told her she had to postpone those plans for a while.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Immy blew out a breath. “I don’t know. I’m being silly.”
“What did Jenner do?”
“It’s not just Jenner. He’s busy getting ready for this charity concert.”
The concert was the reason they were in California.
“It’s the others too. Sampson is grouchy as hell.”
Maeve winced. Probably because he was still worried about her stalker. He was in daily contact with her and Gray.
“I don’t see him a lot as he’s usually on his phone or computer. Isaiah decided to stay back home.”
“He did?” That wasn’t like him.
“Yeah, I think he’s taking it hard that your stalker broke onto the property and hurt you.”
“Shit, Immy, I’m sorry.”
“Hey,” Immy said firmly. “It’s not your fault. I’m going to hang up and call Cat if you keep taking that asshole’s actions on yourself.”
“No, you won’t. You called me because you want a sympathetic ear. Cat will just call everyone and kick their asses and then you’ll have four overprotective men smothering you.”
“True.”
“What about Abe? How is he?”
“He stayed home as well. Isaiah said he’s only seen him twice because he’s been resting so much.”
“Shit. He needs to talk to a doctor again.”
“Yeah, I think so. I’ll talk to him again when we get home in a few days. Jenner has been gone all day. He’s ignoring my texts.”
“What about the guy that Alejandro left to watch over you? He still there?”
“Yeah, he . . . he’s actually not that bad,” Immy said mysteriously. “I think I’m just going to go have a massage and a bath and go to bed early.”
“I’m sorry, Immy. Do you want me to come back?”
“No. You stay there with your yummy man. He’s so delicious. Lucky duck.”
Maeve ended the call. She wished Immy wasn’t so sad. Deciding she needed a distraction, she put on her boots and coat and went to find Dahlia.
“Look, Dahlia! There’s the perfect puddle!” Maeve grabbed her friend’s arm and they raced over to a giant puddle, jumping right in it.
Both of them giggled as their bodyguards stood patiently by. Maeve felt guilty that Dahlia now needed a bodyguard to walk around the property, but Dahlia had assured her that Triple-T was a big softie.
He didn’t look like a softie. In fact, he was all muscle. Big and intimidating. But he seemed very patient with Dahlia. The guard assigned to Maeve had introduced himself as Ilya. He was quiet. He stood back further, watching their surroundings.
“Nearly time to go back in,” Triple-T warned.
“One more,” she begged.
Triple-T nodded. “One more.”
They moved further through the wooded area. “It’s beautiful here.”
“I know. I was thinking we could make a treehouse back here. What do you think?” Dahlia asked.
“Ooh, I think that’s a great idea.” They were nearly at the wall and she spotted a camera zeroing in on them. On the one hand, it was good to know there was security.
But on the other hand, it felt a bit invasive. Especially as it seemed like it was following them.
“Right, we need to head back,” Triple-T, whose real name was Robert, warned.
“But the puddle is right here,” Dahlia said.
“I think Robert’s right. I have a bad feeling. I don’t like that camera.”
“But that’s just the guards watching us,” Dahlia said, waving at the camera, right as a drone appeared over the wall. Maeve stared at the drone in shock as it hovered there. Then it dropped something it had been holding.
“Run! Now!” Triple-T yelled as her guard raced toward them.
She turned to run, but it felt like everything was happening in slow motion. The ground rumbled as the world around them exploded. She fell forward, her body groaning at the impact, air flying from her lungs. Dust and debris rained down on her as something landed on her lower back.
Her ears were ringing as she lay there, trying to work out what had just happened. Then all at once, her hearing returned. She could hear Dahlia screaming. There was distant yelling.
But over all of that was the sound of a vehicle revving. She turned, glancing over her shoulder. Her breath was coming in shallow gasps as she spotted a Hummer making its way through the hole.
Then a man stepped out. He wore the same mask as the man who’d tried to drown her, which would have been terrifying enough without the assault rifle he was carrying.
Where was her guard? She couldn’t see him but he’d been standing close to the wall when the bomb went off.
Oh, God.
He made his way over to her. “Little Birdie, you’re coming with me.”
She shook her head and tried to crawl backward. “No!”
“Hey! Get away from her!”
Maeve glanced over and found Dahlia sitting beside Triple-T. He wasn’t moving.
Please don’t let him be hurt.