Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 153571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 768(@200wpm)___ 614(@250wpm)___ 512(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 153571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 768(@200wpm)___ 614(@250wpm)___ 512(@300wpm)
The hotel is upscale and elegant. Bright paintings hang at intervals on the cream-colored, textured walls and tables with small sculptures sit at random intervals. The carpet is the same hideous abstract stuff that's in my room. I keep my eyes off the floor, trying to avoid the dizzy feeling that swirls through me when I focus on it for too long.
Carter and Benson hover over us, with Carter in front and Benson following right behind. They're not quite as massive as Roman, but they make me feel small and fragile in a way he never has. I hate the way that feels.
Carter keeps his hand near his gun as they hurry us down the hall and then through the brightly lit lobby.
At nine a.m. on a Wednesday, there aren't many people around as we hurry through the hotel. The few we do encounter stare at us openly, curiosity stamped across their faces. I doubt they're used to seeing armed men in bulletproof vests escorting women out of hotels. I'm sure I probably look like hell-warmed over, too.
Carter doesn't relax, not even when I'm safely in the passenger seat of Tahani's white Jeep. He stands guard beside the vehicle, looking every which way like he expects someone to jump out and try to kidnap me while Benson pulls their unmarked SUV around. I'm not so sure someone won't try to grab me, not after yesterday.
The thought sends anxiety churning through me.
I know Roman thought I would be safer here, but I'm not convinced. The safest place for me will always be at his side because no one else in the world cares about my safety like he does. Officer Carter and Officer Benson will do their job because they're cops, and this is what they do…but it's not the same thing.
I scoot lower in the seat, making myself as small and as invisible as possible. Even then, I feel like a bright red target is painted over my head, announcing my location to anyone looking.
Maybe we should have just stayed inside the room.
As soon as Benson pulls up in their Durango, Carter climbs in the cramped backseat of Tahani's Jeep, muttering under his breath when he has to practically fold himself in half to get inside.
"I'll sit in the back," I tell him, taking pity on him when he can't seem to get comfortable.
"I'm fine," he mutters.
"I don't mind."
"I'm fine, darlin'," he tells me, his voice a little less gruff.
"Darlin'," Tahani snickers beside me before latching her seatbelt.
If Carter hears her, he chooses to ignore her. I do the same and click my seatbelt into place, breathing a sigh of relief when we pull out of the parking lot and merge into early morning traffic, with Benson following right behind us.
The sun shines brightly overhead. I rest my head against the seatback and close my eyes, soaking up the warmth. I've felt like I've had a block of ice in my chest for most of the last twenty-four hours. Knowing that Tahani doesn't hate me thawed a little of it, but I don't think the chill will evaporate entirely until I feel Roman's arms around me. Rationally, I know he's okay, or he was two hours ago because he called Trent to get Tahani here.
Until I see him for myself, touch him for myself…I don't think I'll believe it entirely.
"Thank you for letting me crash at your place," I murmur to Tahani, turning my head to look at her.
She worries her bottom lip between her teeth, her shoulders tense. She's as worried about her dad as I am. For as long as I've known her, she's been a little mother hen when she's stressed out or upset.
When I told her I couldn't sleep in the hotel, she decided I was staying with her. I think, had Carter not given in, she would have bulldozed right over him. She hovers and fusses just like Roman.
"You're my best friend," she whispers fiercely, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "You don't have to thank me for anything. You should try to rest. We'll be there soon."
I offer her a tired smile and then lean back in my seat again and close my eyes.
The next thing I know, Carter's cell phone jolts me awake. I sit up and blink, trying to get my bearings. We've left behind shopping malls and hotels and entered a residential area on the far side of the city. Elaborate homes with landscaped lawns and security gates line both sides of the roadway. I've only been here once, back when Trent first bought the house for Tahani a few months ago, but I recognize the area. Their house is at the end of the block on the left.
It's a huge white colonial with massive columns, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and enough room for his entire basketball team. Tahani would have been happy living in a tent with Trent, but he's a little over the top when it comes to her. He's been that way since the day he met her.