Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 87943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
There was an image of a mangled minivan with a headline about the death of Viola and Timothy Ralse. Rowe pointed to the date, which was eight years before.
“Geoffrey was only twenty when this happened but somehow, he got guardianship of his little brother. I don’t know a lot more yet, but seeing this surprised me. That brother is about to start his last year of college. Geoffrey took on a fourteen-year-old boy. He isn’t a mere party boy with lots of disposable cash.”
Sven had already guessed that after months of paying attention to him in classes, but he kept silent. He was still reeling over the thought of some asshole taking advantage of him while he was drugged. Every protective instinct he had rose to the surface. It was going to be hell on Earth staying with Geoffrey twenty-four-seven, but he wanted to do it. Wanted to help him figure out who was after him.
There was no doubt in his mind that someone was. And he was pretty sure money wasn’t the goal. Not entirely. Geoffrey Ralse really was a beautiful man with his delicate features and those plump lips. As far as Sven was concerned, any man would want him.
Or woman.
He wasn’t big, so he wouldn’t be hard to move. Hell, Sven could easily cart him around with one arm. He could maneuver him into all kinds of interesting positions.
That thought made his sweat return. He opened the reusable quart-sized water bottle he filled every day and took a couple of huge gulps to try and cool off.
Rowe eyed the bottle as he put the tablet back on his desk. “I still think it’s strange you don’t like cold water.”
Everyone teased him about the big, purple bottle his sister had given him. “Never have. Hurts my teeth.”
Rowe leaned forward, running his hand through his hair, before giving Sven a hard stare. “You really okay with taking this job? Geoffrey won’t be…easy.”
That was the understatement of the year. “He said he’d feel safe with me, so yes.”
“He also wants in your pants, Larsen.”
That prompted a grin. “I’m aware. Don’t worry. He’s not my type.” He held up one big hand and flexed it. “I’d break him.”
This earned chuckles from both men. Rowe stretched his arms over his head, causing some of the vertebrae to pop in his back. “You got a bag packed?”
“Of course. It’s in my trunk.” Rowe preferred the men in his security team keep several days’ worth of clothes at the ready at all times.
“You get that new silver Charger you were eyeing?” Andrei asked.
Sven nodded. “Yesterday. Lots of leg room and the doors are a good size. It’s a hell of a lot better than my last car.” He looked back at Rowe. “You mind me putting it in the garage when I take an SUV?”
“Of course not. Sorry to pull you from your new toy so fast.”
He opened his mouth to let him know it was fine, but Geoffrey walked back into the office. The man usually moved with a quick step, his body in motion at all times, his dangerous mouth curving into sultry smiles. This stillness unnerved Sven in the oddest way. It wasn’t right. Lively Geoffrey was the real one, and he grew furious all over again that someone had taken that from him. He hoped it was temporary.
Sven stood. “Gidget get everything she needs?”
Blond bangs flopped over his forehead as he nodded. “She’s got my number if she needs more, too. She wants me to bring in my laptop so she can see if he used it.”
“We can do that,” Sven answered. “Later. Let’s get you home. You look like you can use some real sleep. I’ll be there to watch over you.”
A little of the real Geoffrey returned in the sudden sparkle in his blue eyes and the seductive curve of those damn lips. They parted and Sven braced himself for some off-color proposition. But that light faded fast and his lips turned back down.
Sven suddenly realized how badly he wanted that improper, pushy vivacity back. Geoffrey might annoy him, but that had a lot to do with his effect on Sven’s blood supply and where it preferred to be directed whenever he unleashed all that brightness.
Chapter 3
Sven pulled the black SUV into the curving driveway behind Geoffrey’s sleek sports car. As the thick green trees withdrew and the house came into view, the bodyguard swore softly under his breath, his hands clenching around the steering wheel. A part of his brain acknowledged that it was a beautiful modern house with a mix of pale stucco and tan stones, but he was there for security and all he could see were windows. Lots and lots of windows.
Windows meant that the occupants of the house were easy to observe from a distance, easy to track, and easy to shoot. He was going to need some help to get this situation under control and keep Geoffrey safe, but first he needed to get a look at the house and the grounds.