Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I looked around, stiffening at the sight of a man walking toward the coffee shop, his head down, wearing a hoodie. I made a noise, and Egan grabbed his binoculars, looking to see what I was reacting to. But I relaxed when the person lifted his head and I saw it was just a kid.
“I freaking hate those damn hoodies,” I muttered. “Everyone wearing one looks like a suspect.”
Egan chuckled. “I know.”
We were quiet for a while, then he turned to me. “Have you added any trackers to her things? Her purse or phone? In case…” He trailed off.
“I plan to do that today. I want to tell her first. She gets riled up if she thinks I’m taking unnecessary actions without consulting her.”
“She’s stubborn.”
“Remind you of anyone?”
“Sofia had dinner with me last night.”
“That’s progress. How’d you convince her?”
He trained his binoculars at the shop, shrugging. “I showed up with food, walked in, and sat down. She didn’t have much choice.”
I began to laugh. “I’m shocked she didn’t kick you out.”
“It was Thai. Her favorite. I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“And?”
“It was good. I kept it light. Just buddies.”
“Uh-huh. Buddies.”
“Baby steps. Like you said,” he agreed. “I am patient man.”
I tried not to laugh. Egan was patient when it came to building a bomb, setting a timer, planning a building demolition. When it came to my cousin, patient wasn’t the word that came to mind.
I trained my binoculars on the street. It was getting busier, but no one stood out. A man with dark hair in a suit went into the coffee shop, holding the door open for a woman and child coming out, but otherwise, there was nothing. I scanned her table, seeing Raven’s laptop closed and a piece of some sort of dessert between them.
“Go home, Egan. They’re almost done, and Raven will call soon. I’ll handle it from here.”
He stood and stretched in the shadows. “Maybe he’ll give up. He knows she has someone.”
“I hope so. I still want to find out who he is. Stop him from doing this to someone else. Someone who doesn’t have a partner to protect them.”
He laid a hand on my shoulder. “And I will help.”
“Thanks.”
I watched his retreating figure, smirking as he appeared on the street, his camo gone, just another guy wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I checked on Raven, frowning when I saw Deb was alone. Assuming Raven was in the washroom, I scanned the front of the coffee shop, shocked to see her out on the sidewalk. She turned and headed to the right, stepping into a cheese shop. Cursing, I shoved the binoculars into my pocket and rushed down the steps and out of the parking garage, not even sparing a glance at the coffee shop. Fury burned through my veins. I told her to stay put. She knew the danger. The precautions we were taking. Was she planning on a shopping spree where Andy could step up behind her or drag her into an alley again? Did she have any sense?
I took a deep breath and entered the cheese shop, spying her in the corner, a basket over her arm. I stepped behind her, my fists curled to keep my anger in check.
“Why are you never in the place I leave you?” I asked, my voice low in irritation.
She chuckled, not at all put out. She turned to face me. “I saw Egan stroll by. I knew if he was leaving that you were watching me. I also knew you would follow me in here. I had zero doubt I was in danger.” She patted my chest. “I knew you were watching me, Damien.”
“How?” I asked.
She smiled. “I felt your eyes on me. You were close the whole time.”
I felt my ire begin to slip.
“And what if you were wrong and I didn’t follow you in here?”
“I would call you.” She shook her head. “You agreed to this too easily, Damien. I already figured out when you say yes, you have a plan. And a backup.”
I took her basket, looping my arm around her waist. “Think you know me so well already, Ms. Raven?”
“Yes.”
“And what do you think is going to happen next?”
“You’re going to let me pay for my purchases, then take me back to the loft and show me who is really in control here.”
I dropped my head to her neck, nibbling on the soft skin. “And then?” I murmured.
“You’re going to fuck me hard just to prove it.”
“Shopping time is over,” I growled.
She laughed. “Good thing I’m done, then.”
She was right.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Raven
Resting my chin on my hand, I stared out the window. Rain pelted the glass, the trees bending under the fury of the wind. I sighed, wondering how long the storm would rage. Surprisingly, the school hadn’t lost power, and my little students had all been picked up. Damien was running late, and I was in the staff room waiting for him. Across from me, Tracey was working, Mike sitting at the table, doing something on his phone.