Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
“A Fizzle for your thoughts,” Donnelly replies, which makes me giggle harder. Maybe it’s the way he’s saying it? Or I am most definitely high.
“I’m going to give you the benefit of the fizz.”
Donnelly grins. “Only kind of benefit I want.”
I’m about to butcher another idiom when his phone rings on the nightstand. I frown. He frowns. There’s such a small list of people who’d call him at three in the morning without an emergency.
He reaches for his phone, and his face darkens when he sees the caller ID. I watch him answer it. “Ian?”
My stomach drops.
Why is Tom’s bodyguard calling Donnelly?
40
PAUL DONNELLY
Ian and Vance Wreath throwing up the bat signal at me is a rare sight. I’m struggling to make sense of it as I ride in the backseat of their coveted Range Rover.
The famous ones were in Philly for the Super Bowl party, so Tom and Eliot are crashing at the Cobalt Estate tonight. The Wreath brothers also spent the night in Philly—but at Epsilon’s house, the one located in the gated neighborhood.
“You said they snuck out?” I ask again, trying to gather the facts. Luna texted her best friends before I left the penthouse and jumped in the Range Rover. She hasn’t received a response from either of them.
I can still taste Luna—that’s how fast I flew out the door. I smell her heady floral scent all over me. Don’t want them to smell her. I feel like a fucking feral animal right now who was interrupted during mating season. Like I will rip into anyone who goes for my girl.
Main thing calming me down is my mental fortitude. Hyper-vigilance skyrocketing. Just wanna make sure Tom and Eliot are alright. I’ve thrown the hot interaction with Luna into the back of my brain. I’m not even stoned. Sober and limp, I fixate on this search party.
“Whatever you want to call it,” Ian, the newly-minted SFE lead says from the passenger seat.
I couldn’t believe Price gave him the promotion.
Mainly ‘cause he’s not the first I’d think of as a leader. Then again, he’s only ever been a bodyguard to the Cobalts, and all the Epsilon bodyguards who protect the Cobalt Empire follow in line with him like he’s a seven-time Super Bowl champ.
Greer would’ve been a better fit. He’s the most senior Epsilon bodyguard. He’s the copper-bearded Navy vet who’s typical military. Strict with the rules. Can be a dick but he’s loyal. He turned it down though. Think he likes the simplicity of protecting Winona Meadows and not the headache of corralling a bunch of men in addition to it.
Jon Sinclair—the vulgar and sometimes hilarious Navy vet—got transferred to Alpha. Lily has two full-time bodyguards now. It’s why the SFE lead position freed up in the first place.
So…technically…Ian Wreath is above me in security’s hierarchy. He can order me around if he so pleases.
“It’s not like they’re kids anymore,” Ian continues. “They don’t have to sneak out of their parents’ house.”
“But they didn’t contact you two first?”
Vance is behind the wheel. He casts a cagey glance at his older brother. He keeps doing that. It’s putting me on edge, and I’m in the narrow middle seat in the back so I can catch their side profiles.
“No,” Ian says, typing on his phone. “They didn’t shoot us any texts, but we have orders from Rose and Connor to have security on them, regardless of what they want.” Heightened security has been in place since the kidnapping. High-threat levels all around.
“I’m surprised you didn’t call O’Malley for backup,” I say, watching Vance rotate the wheel.
“You think you’re our first choice?” Ian retorts.
“Nah, didn’t think that. Wouldn’t think that. ‘Cause you all would choose the basket without the darts.”
Ian makes sure I see his glare. “Like you’re the only one who can hit a target, right?”
“Yeah, of those of us here, I’m the only one who can call Tom and Eliot at three a.m. and risk waking ‘em up and it not be classified as unprofessional.”
“It is unprofessional.”
“Maybe if you did it,” I say. “Maybe if you were still buddyguards, you’d be tiptoeing that line, but I’m not even on that line, man.” I’m trying to get them to understand that. “I’m dating their best friend. I can call them as a concerned friend or even on behalf of Luna. Which is what I’m about to do—”
“Do not call them,” Ian says like an order. “I’m serious, Donnelly.”
This is fucking frustrating. “You’re really gonna let your feelings about me affect the safety of your clients?”
Vance casts another sharp look to his brother.
I tense.
Something’s not adding up.
We’re whizzing past Reading Terminal Market. Still in Center City. I look back at Ian. “Did you not hear what Price said at the last meeting? The whole point of me joining SFE is so you have deeper access into the family. To protect them. So fucking use me.”