Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Getting Cate away from here might help. Although he knew she would worry about Rhodes.
“She needs a break from thinking about all of this. Her work should be okay with it as long as she doesn’t have any meetings she can’t get out of. Only a few people know about it. Me, Cate, my housekeeper, and lawyer. I keep it as a place to escape to when I need to get away for some peace and quiet.”
Ethan nodded. “Good idea.” Cate would surely be safer. “All right, Butch will stay here with Seth to help guard you.”
Rhodes nodded. “Yeah. That will work. Why don’t you talk to Cate in the morning about it, but there’s no reason you couldn’t head off tomorrow provided Cate can sort her work out.”
Ethan turned back to Cate. “Yeah. I’ll do that.”
51
Cate clung to Rhodes as Ethan finished packing up the car with their stuff.
A shiver ran through her and Rhodes tightened his hold.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” she asked. “We can stay if you’d rather.”
She wanted to go to the lake house. It was probably her favorite place in the world. She’d never say anything to Rhodes, but she didn’t particularly like living in the city.
However, she didn’t like leaving him alone.
This morning, she’d woken up late and cranky. Two nights with bad dreams and interrupted sleep and she was feeling exhausted and stressed.
As soon as Ethan had brought up the idea of going to the lake house for a while, she’d felt this surge of relief. Then she’d felt guilty, knowing she’d be leaving Rhodes alone.
“I’ll be fine, honey,” Rhodes reassured her. “I’ve got Seth and Butch here.”
She knew that. And logically, it wasn’t like she’d be able to help if the stalker did try to get to him.
But it didn’t stop her from worrying.
“Come on, I’ll put you in your seat.” He let go of her, before taking her hand to lead her outside. It was dark out. They’d decided to leave after dinner when the traffic would be better. She also wondered if Ethan had chosen to leave at night in case the stalker was watching.
She didn’t see how it was possible. The motorcycle club guys were still doing regular drive-bys. Plus, the stalker surely wouldn’t be interested in where she was going. But she guessed Ethan was being cautious.
And the stalker had taken those photos of her . . . so yes, perhaps it was better to go at night.
Rhodes walked her out and held open the car door. Ethan turned to them. “Are you ready, baby?”
“Yes.” She gave Rhodes another hug before climbing into the seat.
“Bye, little sister. I’ll call you, okay?”
“Every day,” she replied. They would be back in a week as she had a meeting she couldn’t shift. Her boss had told her to take a few days off.
She might actually do that for once.
“Every day,” he promised as Ethan climbed in the driver’s seat.
“And call if something happens.” Fear was a heavy ball in her stomach.
“Nothing will happen,” Rhodes replied gently. “Now, you be a good girl and do what Ethan tells you to do.”
“Hey!” she protested. “Shouldn’t he have to do what I say?”
Rhodes grinned. Ethan snorted from the driver’s seat.
“Nice try, sweetheart,” Ethan told her. “Not happening.”
“Bye.” Rhodes kissed her cheek, then shut the car door.
Ethan did up her seatbelt. Then he reached into the back and grabbed a pillow, blanket, Lady, and her pacifier. He put the blanket around her and handed her the pillow.
“Put this against the car door so you can lean against it if you want to nap,” he told her.
“Wow, you have everything ready, Daddy,” she said as he also put her sippy cup in the cup holder.
It had images of ladybugs all over it and was so cute. She couldn’t believe he’d bought her so much stuff. He’d shown it all to her yesterday. There was a bib, a baby bottle, another pacifier. Several onesies. And some ladybug slippers.
“I should have left your new slippers out. Are your feet warm enough?”
“I’ll be fine, Daddy.” She yawned. This was so comfy, and she hadn’t been getting much sleep lately.
“You just settle in and relax, baby. If you get cold, I’ll turn the heater up. It will only take a couple of hours to get there, and then I’ll put you to bed while I unpack.”
“I can help unpack, Daddy.”
“No, Little girls don’t carry things. You might trip and fall. Besides, you’re exhausted.”
“You must be tired too.” She felt terrible that she kept waking him up at night. “I’m sorry I’ve been waking you up.”
“Another sorry?” he queried. “Someone is already owed a big spanking and she’s trying to add to it.” He shook his head.
She gasped. “That’s not true, Daddy! I can say sorry when things are my fault.”