Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
“Carrie?” he answers.
“There’s this man, I can’t even remember in this very moment if you know who he is.”
“I do,” he says. “Deep breath. Tell me what’s happening.”
“Elijah confronted me and even grabbed me.”
“Where are you?” he asks.
“I’m in Battery Park and I’m not far from Reid, but if I call him he’ll charge after me, and I’m afraid that’s what Elijah wants. What if he set him up to shoot him or something? Royce, I was at a wedding venue with Cat, and he confronted me not far from there. That means he followed me there.”
“You’re right. That is smart thinking. That could be exactly what he’s doing and I know it took tremendous willpower to call me and not Reid. Where are you?”
I grab the card off the security desk and I read him the address. Once he confirms he has it, I ask, “Should I call the police?”
“Not until we talk this out with Reid. Right now, I’m going to send a man to Reid to confirm he’s safe, while I come to you.”
“The minute he sees your man, he’ll freak out over me,” I say. “There are reasons I can’t let that happen.”
“And we can’t risk him needing help right now.” He’s silent a beat. “I’ll call him on my way to you, confirm he’s safe and then keep my man at his door. Are you with the guard at the building?”
“Yes, and he said I could stay here until help arrives.”
“Good. Stay. You handled this exceptionally well, Carrie. I don’t know many people who would be as selfless and level-headed.” He disconnects and I press my hand to my stomach. Reid is not going to handle this well and if I don’t rein him in and fast, he’s going to go at Elijah in a big way.
I glance at the security guard. “Thank you for this. I have help coming. If you don’t mind I’m going to stay right here beside you.”
“I’m happy to help, ma’am,” he says and thankfully he seems quite genuine.
I stand there, trapped and waiting, and I keep replaying last night. You’re not allowed to die, ever, Reid had said. He is not in the right frame of mind to have this happen. The timing is horrible and we’re going to find out if I have any real ability to calm him or not. My cellphone rings again and I glance at the number to find Royce. “I talked to Reid. He’s fine. He has no idea there’s an issue. One of my men was in the area. He’ll be there in about two minutes. Big scar on his face. Savage is the last name and what we all call him.” I glance up as a man that fits that description walks in the building.
“He’s here.”
“Good. I’m headed to Reid now. Savage will bring you to us.”
“Thanks, Royce.”
“No thanks needed.” He hangs up and I hurry toward Savage, who is in jeans and a T-shirt, with a leather jacket over the top. He’s a beast of a big man, which is pretty wonderful right about now.
“Thank you,” I say when I reach him, “for rushing to me.”
“Rescuing damsels in distress is what I do,” he says, giving me a playful wink but then sobering quickly. “We’re going out a side door.” He motions me back to the security desk and the guard indicates the best method of a safe exit.
A few minutes later we’re at a side door and Savage glances over at me. “Stay right by my side.” I nod and pray all of this is paranoia, but I’m not sure it is. Elijah’s a successful businessman following around Reid’s woman. That feels like an obsession. Savage opens the door and takes my arm, guiding me outside into the cold air, and then placing my hand on his arm. We start walking and we don’t speak. He’s alert and ready for whatever comes our way and I’m just plain nervous.
The walk feels eternal when it’s not. We reach our building and enter and I think I can finally breathe. Savage’s phone rings as we walk toward the elevators and he mostly listens. Once we’re in the elevator car and alone with the doors shut, he updates me. “We have eyes on Elijah. He’s no longer in the area and Royce is at your door waiting on us.”
The doors open, and spotting Royce, I hurry forward. “Give me a minute with him, will you?”
Royce gives me a nod and I unlock the door and enter. Reid is on the couch where I left him with the kitty on a cushion next to him. “How’d it go?” he asks, setting his computer aside, his eyes narrowing on me as he stands up. “What’s wrong?”
I cross to meet him in the middle of the room. “I had a problem. I called Royce. He’s outside.”