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)
“She is my sister.”
“And I get that. You just want to protect her. So do I. And not because that’s what I’m paid to do. In fact, I’ll quit right now.”
“You’re going to quit?” Rhodes asked. “You’re leaving?”
“No. I’m not leaving. This isn’t about the money. It’s about my girl.”
Rhodes breathed out. “You’re really serious about her?”
“Yes. I am.” Ethan reached out and drew Cate close. “Very serious.”
“I still don’t like this, but as long as you’re not taking advantage of her I’ll reserve judgment. Let me speak to her.”
“No yelling or getting upset,” Ethan warned.
“I wouldn’t do that to my sister,” Rhodes told him. “I do think I should come back, though. I’m going to book a ticket on the first flight home.”
“For what reason? Cate is safe with me. Nothing has changed.”
“This asshole took photos of her.”
“Probably to get you home.”
“Fuck,” Rhodes said. “I didn’t think of that. Why the hell does this fucking nut job need me home?”
“I don’t know.” He wasn’t going to mention that could be why someone tried to run them off the road.
“Isn’t that more reason to come back? What if he does something worse?”
“I’ve considered that and spoken to Ink. But if you give in to this person, what’s to stop him or her from escalating anyway? What’s to stop this person from using Cate to get you to do other things? Maybe it’s as simple as they just want you to come back here. Or perhaps it’s a test.”
“Fuck. And what if the person running the blog is the stalker? I don’t like this at all.”
“You know that Ink called in a favor that Reyes is owed by some bikers. They’re hanging around the street and keep an eye on things for tonight and tomorrow night.”
“Bikers? On my street?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, they’ll be inconspicuous.”
“Right,” Rhodes said in a sarcastic voice. “Because that’s what bikers are known for.”
Ethan was tempted to tell him that he’d just joined a MC. But he thought he’d save that surprise for another time.
He was a thoughtful guy like that.
Did he know that Ink belonged to an MC?
“Fine, but if one of my neighbors call the cops on them, I’m going to pretend I know nothing about this. Now, let me talk to my sister.”
Ethan pulled the phone from his ear and handed it to Cate. “He wants to talk to you. If he tries to bully you, yells at you, is mean to you, I want to know.”
37
Cate walked into the living room after ending the call from Rhodes.
Ethan was standing out by the pool, talking to someone who looked rather rough. He had a long beard and even longer hair tied back in a ponytail. The top of his head was completely bald.
She thought about going out there and checking if everything was all right. But the truth was, she was beginning to feel stressed. Everything was getting on top of her and stealing her breath. A heavy weight rested on her chest.
Rhodes had questioned her about Ethan and the way he treated her. She tried to put her brother’s worries to rest. Cate knew all of his questions stemmed from love. So she’d put up with a lot of questions before she’d finally told him enough was enough.
At least he was going to his gala and not rushing home.
But she had a headache and that panicky feeling was back.
Rubbing at her chest, she decided she needed some space to get her head together. Retreating into her closet, she grabbed her weighted blanket and pulled it over her lap. Then she put on her headphone headband.
But it wasn’t working. That feeling was still there.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she gave herself butterfly hugs.
Everything is fine.
Deep breath in. Let it out slowly.
Why was nothing working? Opening one of the drawers, she saw her pacifier was missing. Where was it?
Not wanting to leave the closet, she tried putting her thumb in her mouth. But that didn’t feel right. Tears dripped down her cheeks.
The door to the closet opened, making her scream in fear. She shied back until she realized that Ethan was standing there. He was saying something, but she couldn’t hear him.
Reaching up with a shaking hand, she slid off her headband with the headphones built into it.
“Baby, what’s wrong? What can I do?”
He crouched down so he wasn’t looming over her.
“Talk to me, sweetheart.”
“I am just a bit o-overwhelmed,” she said.
“Is this because of Rhodes? Did he say something to upset you? I knew I shouldn’t have left you on the phone with him.”
“It’s not that.” She shook her head. “Just e-everything.”
His face softened. “What can I do, baby? Tell me.”
Rhodes had pressed her about her emotional state. Several times. She’d reassured him that she felt calm. That she wouldn’t do anything to risk herself.