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)
She blushed, maybe more so at the nickname. “Thanks. You do too.” Then she took out a handful of condoms. “I brought these in case you forgot.”
Appreciation lightened his eyes. “Very prepared.”
“Always,” she exhaled.
“Follow me into the abyss,” he said and held the breakroom door open for her. The longer they made eye contact, the more deep breaths each of them took, and they relaxed in each other’s presence. That was what I’d tried to describe to Luna when she’d asked me more about Spencer.
How Xander and this girl could say nothing for a whole hour during study period, and every time their eyes met, the air would untense.
My phone pings. Luna, I hope. I’m grateful for the distraction from any sex noises I’m blocking out of both ears.
Except, it’s not Luna. My stomach nosedives when I read the text.
DAD
I’m in the area. Know it’s not 8 yet but Carl saw you going into that comic book store. I’m three blocks away. I found out about that thing. Want to tell you face to face.
My pulse accelerates so fast, I’m lightheaded. The thing. I’m assuming that means he’s figured out why our family kept mentioning Xander the night of the kidnapping. Carl. First time I’m hearing of a Carl—but I guess he must be one of my dad’s friends.
I dunno. I don’t like that Carl saw me enter this store when I thought I had zero tail.
I don’t like that my dad is three blocks from here. I can’t have anyone—let alone my dad—inside this store while Xander Hale is having sex in the breakroom. He trusts me. He piled all his faith in me like I’m Frodo carrying the fucking ring, and I can’t fail him.
Think.
Think.
I send my dad a text:
I’m working. I’ll see you tonight. We can talk then.
DAD
I’ll just be a minute.
My heart hammers in my chest, and I swallow a sharp breath as the breakroom door suddenly cracks open. Xander squeezes out in only boxer-briefs, careful to shield the dimly lit room and sofa behind him. I’m not trying to catch a glimpse of anything. Doing my best to divert my gaze from even Xander, but with the way he’s breathing and the dampness of his hair and skin, I’m guessing the deed is done.
He signs back to her, then whispers to me, “I need to grab something. Then I think we’re gonna watch a movie. If that’s okay? I just want to hang out with her for a while.”
“You don’t need my permission,” I whisper back.
“Yeah but Luna isn’t around, and I’m keeping you from—”
“You aren’t keeping me from her,” I interject fast, wondering if he can see I’m slightly on edge. He might think my impatience has to do with his sister. “Don’t worry about me and her. We’re good. We’ve been good. And I love my job. I wanna be here. Alright?” After he nods, I ask, “You want me to grab it for you—whatever it is?”
“Nah, I got it.” He shuts the door fully and searches behind the café counter. I force myself not to text my dad. I don’t want Xander to jump to conclusions about me missing Luna or freak out thinking it’s not safe here. Stay calm. I’m calm.
I’m calm.
Xander returns with a clean dish towel. I say nothing about it, but he must feel a certain way ‘cause he whispers, “She said it didn’t hurt, but she’s squeamish by blood. There’s not that much.”
“It happens,” I reassure him. “What movie you two watching?” I ask not because I’m super interested in their post-fuck flick. I need a rough estimation of how long they’re gonna be in there.
“Far from the Madding Crowd.” He rotates the doorknob. “It’s one of her favorites, apparently. You seen it?”
“Nah. Let me know how it is.”
Xander disappears back into the breakroom. Once the door is shut, I Google the movie. Two hours. If they watch the whole thing.
My dad is headed here. There is no stopping that speeding train.
Option 1: I meet him out on the sidewalk. It leaves this room unprotected. It’d be rolling a dice with Xander’s safety, and I’m not willing to play that game.
Option 2: I call for backup. But that’d mean exposing Xander’s location to another bodyguard, and I’d be breaking my word to him.
Broken bones or a broken promise. It’s an easy choice when I put it like that.
Instead of using comms, I dial a number on my phone. Muscles constricted. I wait for Ian to pick up.
“Donnelly?” His confusion is palpable.
“I have a problem.”
“You’re calling me?” Ian says in disbelief.
“You’re the SFE lead, aren’t you? This is the chain of command.” I grip my phone tighter. Could throw in a joke, but I’m in hurry and my humor has been washed out. “I can’t use comms. I don’t want this over the whole line.”