Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Devon’s eyes widened. “He marked you?”
I nodded. Slowly I released my crushing hold around my ribcage and let my arms sink into my lap.
“Can I see it?” Devon whispered.
I moved onto my knees, never taking my eyes off Devon’s. His were so soft and worried. They gave me the necessary support I needed to stay calm. I looked around the parking lot, but except for a man who was pumping gas into his car with his back to us, there was no one outside.
I curled my fingers around the edge of my shirt and pulled it up until the red A was visible. I shivered as the cold air hit my skin.
Devon just stared at the mark, something dark clouding in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before? I could have healed it.”
I avoided his penetrating gaze. “I felt guilty for the mission, for pretending to be your sister. I guess I was scared of your reaction. Part of me felt like I deserved this.”
Devon reached out but didn’t actually touch me. His fingertips hovered about an inch from my skin. “Do you want me to heal it?” His blue eyes were soft as they gazed at me.
I swallowed and gave a small nod, not trusting myself to speak. He pressed his palm against the A, his skin warm against mine. Goose bumps flashed across my skin and I couldn’t take my eyes off Devon’s face. His brows dipped in concentration and a tickling spread through my ribcage. I felt closer to him in that moment than I ever had before.
“Done. See?” He shifted his hand so I could see the now unblemished skin where the A had been. But he was still touching me. His hand rested gently on my waist.
His gaze searched my eyes, then darted to my lips. My mouth became dry. I knew that look. I knew what he wanted to do. But I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to. The wound of Alec’s betrayal was deep. I wanted to move on. I wanted to forget. But was I ready for something new?
Devon leaned closer, his eyes never leaving my face, looking for a sign that I didn’t share his feelings. He gave me enough time to pull away, to say I wasn’t ready, but I didn’t move. The kiss was short and sweet. Neither of us tried to deepen it. He pressed his forehead against mine.
“I hope that was okay?” he whispered.
I wasn’t sure. This was too soon. I didn’t know anything right now. But I cared about Devon.
Devon must have seen the conflict on my face because his expression dropped. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”
I shook my head hastily. “No. I’m just confused. I need more time.”
Devon nodded.
“Thank you,” I said. We were still so close that I could feel his breath on my face.
“No one’s ever thanked me for a kiss before,” he joked, a hint of hesitation in his tone.
I laughed and punched him lightly. “Not for that.”
“I know,” he murmured. Silence settled around us. I listened to our even breathing and closed my eyes.
My mind drifted to Holly. I hoped that wherever she was, Abel’s Army wasn’t hurting her. She was useful to them, I assured myself. She was an asset, and they would keep her around.
Suddenly Devon tensed and held his breath. I peered at him.
“What is it?” I whispered.
He put his finger against his lips. I shut my mouth and listened intently. There was a distinct sound in the distance. A whirring like helicopter blades. The hairs on my neck stood on end and slowly the little hairs on my arms rose as well. I searched the sky with my eyes. A black helicopter was flying low, a red light flashing and spotlights illuminating the ground beneath it.
“Is it the FEA?” Devon whispered.
“I don’t know. It could be a lot of things.” The helicopter was drawing closer. It didn’t look like it was landing, but that could change in a blink.
“They’re definitely looking for something,” Devon said.
I hopped off the truck bed. “We should leave.”
“Won’t we draw attention to ourselves if we drive off the moment the helicopter appears above our heads?”
I froze. He had a point. We couldn’t win a chase with a helicopter. “Let’s sit in the car. That way they can’t spot us as easily and we could drive off if necessary.”
Devon nodded, but he never took his eyes off the helicopter. We huddled inside the cab, our eyes trained on the sky. The circles of the helicopter were becoming wider and slowly it moved away from the rest area. We waited a few more moments before we pulled out of the parking spot. I wasn’t sure if the helicopter had been the FEA but this encounter had made something very clear: we were being chased and we weren’t safe. We had to get to Vegas as soon as possible and we couldn’t let down our guard.