Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Ambrielle’s devotion to him might not be real, but she certainly believed it was real, and for as many days or weeks as he had with her, he was going to live every moment as best he could. She was his. She always would be, long after she was gone and living her life with someone far more deserving than he was—if he didn’t kill the man. Bog, he hoped he was a better man than that. He hoped he could hold to a code of honor and give her everything she deserved.
Ambrielle sang the chorus with the others, but her gaze stayed on him, shifting only to check the entrances to the room, ensuring no one was coming to do him harm. His little warrior. She didn’t know she was supposed to be a princess, and he doubted if she ever would view herself that way. That made him smile despite his dark thoughts. Bog. That was her gift. She could make him smile no matter the circumstances. Hell or heaven, she could do that, make him smile.
Czar took the stage as the band put their instruments away. “We need to make it very clear that a man by the name of Walker Thompson is out to harm both Ambrielle and Master. We believe he’s responsible for the deaths of Ambrie’s parents, although we can’t prove it. He’s capable of using you or your loved ones to try to draw her out into the open and away from our protection. We can protect you if you stay in your home and work from there, or when you must leave, let us know, so we can provide security. If you’re contacted, you need to let us know immediately. If you choose not to accept our protection, we ask that you break off all contact with Ambrielle and with us.”
Amanda looked down at her hands. “Adam, I was contacted by these people already. They wanted me to set up Master to be murdered in exchange for them not killing you.”
“Amanda.” Adam wrapped his arm around his sister’s shoulder. “You should have told me right away.”
“I know. I just was so scared I’d lose you.” Tears began to run down her face all over again.
“Is that why Ambrielle was so angry with you?” Marcus guessed.
Amanda nodded. “She had every right to be.”
Adam sighed and rubbed his knuckles on top of his sister’s head, although he did it gently, a reminder of their childhood. “You should have told me.”
“I know. I should have told her. Instead, I played right into their hands like an idiot.”
Master jerked his chin toward Amanda. The last thing they wanted was for her to talk too much and have Marcus curious about what might have taken place while Master and some of the others were missing.
“Everything is fine,” Ambrie cut in, tone upbeat. “You all need to hear what Czar has to say. He’s the president of Torpedo Ink and really can help you if that horrible man tries to intimidate you.”
“Rashad, this is going to be particularly difficult for you with your schedule,” Czar continued.
Rashad shook his head. “I have a friendship with Adam because he lives in my building, but that’s all. If Thompson attempted to blackmail me into anything, I could shut him down easily.”
“Adam?” Czar asked.
Adam nodded. “I’d contact you,” Adam said. “Most likely they’d threaten Amanda, not Rashad, but if they threatened Rashad, I’d tell them I’d call the police and his security company.”
“Good. We have your building under surveillance. If Walker attempts to send his people to your apartments, stay inside; someone will be there. Most likely, it won’t be one of us, because we’re too far away, but we have friends who will get to you. They’ll use Torpedo Ink as a code, so you know it’s safe to let them in. I doubt that will happen, but just in case. This should be over soon. Walker is on the run, but if he is the one who murdered Ambrielle’s parents, the police will know soon enough.”
Master always admired the way Czar could sound so completely reasonable in every situation. There was truth in what he said. The Moores’ murders were being investigated, and it was entirely possible that sooner or later Walker Thompson might come under suspicion. More likely, the family lawyer would. Already, he was named as a person of interest and his whereabouts were sought.
“My people will help, Czar,” Marcus volunteered.
Amanda’s gaze jumped to Marcus’ face. “You have ‘people’?”
Marcus wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Yes, Amanda, I have people. They’ll help protect you until this is over. Czar’s right. You’ll need to keep working from home—or you can stay at my place. I have excellent security, and you can have your own suite. I can have you set up in a couple of hours. No one can get to you there. Your brother is welcome as well.”