Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 136025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Why would he do that?”
“Thatcher said he ‘mistook’ me for the shithead I punched. But it just so happens that the only mistake he’s ever made sent electric volts through my body. Sure.” He rolls his eyes. “We’re not supposed to take out our weapons in crowded areas. It causes fear, panic—and we’re hired to deescalate these situations. Thatcher knew that. Yet, the rule-abider did it.”
My mouth parts in shock. “Fuck…I can’t believe he tased you.”
Farrow lets out a short laugh. “My first day on the job, he made me do a 19K in the Poconos Mountains. Alone. In the dark. The first day for Donnelly, a pancake breakfast. I can’t fabricate this shit.” He flips on his blinker and switches lanes. Letting a speeding car pass.
Since Thatcher is a lead, he has power over Farrow. Just picturing him using his position against my boyfriend—my jaw sharpens. “And now, I want to go kick his ass.”
His lips quirk. “That’s sweet that you think I need protecting.”
“Maybe you do.”
Farrow changes radio stations, his smile extraordinarily large.
Before he says, you’re the famous one or you can’t be the knight in every situation, I ask him, “Why did Thatcher single you out?”
“Before I was hired to your mom’s detail, Thatcher’s twin brother was supposed to fill the position. But Lily found out that I finished security training, and she requested me.”
Realization washes over me.
Farrow Keene used to just be the son of our concierge doctor, and my parents had always really liked him. So I could definitely see my mom requesting Farrow as her 24/7 bodyguard.
Farrow watches my reaction for a second, his tattooed hand back on my thigh.
I place my palm on top of his hand and twist one of his silver rings. “I didn’t know any of that.”
“You wouldn’t. That kind of information stays in security.” He pauses. “Do me a favor? Grab the USB from the—”
I already lean forward and open the glove box. In a quick second, I connect his phone to the stereo and put on his nineties playlist.
He nods a couple times, a smile in his eyes. And I wonder if he’s thinking, Maximoff knows me. Really well.
I lick my lips. “So you took Bank’s job and that put you on Thatcher’s shit list?”
“Partly.” He uses his left hand to drive. “I wasn’t just the guy that took his brother’s job. I was the son of the family’s doctor, a guy who had little security experience, who hated rules, and who was now the bodyguard to Lily Calloway. In Thatcher’s eyes, I was given the position without earning it.” Farrow chews his gum with a smile. “Little did he know, I’m the best at everything I do.”
My brows scrunch. “It’s like one minute you make sense and the next, it’s Klingon.”
Farrow stares at me for as long as he can, then fixes on the road. “Not ashamed to say that I don’t know what the fuck that means.”
“Let this go on every record that ever exists: I know something that you don’t.”
Farrow glances back. “Enjoy this while it lasts because it won’t last long.”
“I always last longer than you,” I retort.
Farrow whistles. “The last time I made you come must’ve really fucked with your memory.”
“Did you make me come?” I feign confusion and shift in my seat. “I’m not sure you did.”
He smiles out at the road. “Don’t worry, I’ll remind you what it felt like.”
Fucking Christ. My brain, my body—all the Team Farrow pieces of me crave and beg to cash in on that right now.
Then my phone buzzes in my back pocket. It’s late for most of my family to be texting. As I unpocket my phone, I think about how Farrow has already proven himself to the security team by keeping my mom safe.
Alpha may complain about him, but I’ve seen the Tri-Force radio Farrow in high-stress situations. Like during the Hallow Friends Eve incident, Akara turned to him first. When push-comes-to-shove, the entire security team trusts and relies on Farrow. Knowing he’ll be there and he’ll be ready.
If this weren’t true, he would’ve been fired a while ago. And Thatcher would’ve never voted to keep him around.
I ask Farrow, “Thatcher knows you’re good at what you do, so why does he still hate you?”
“Because I haven’t proven myself to his standards.” Farrow rotates the wheel, taking a sharp exit onto a ramp.
Maybe it has to do with Thatcher’s upbringing. “His dad was a Navy SEAL, right?”
Farrow frowns. “How do you know that?”
“Xander mentioned it once.” I click into my recent texts.
I AM SUCH A LOSER!!! – Tom
I straighten up because that doesn’t sound like Tom Cobalt. Before I even reply, another text pops up.
I’m gonna go die now – Tom
Farrow eagle-eyes me while I ditch texting and just call my seventeen-year-old cousin. I put my cell to my ear and unplug Farrow’s phone from the USB. “Call Tom’s bodyguard. Something’s not right.”