Series: The Circle of Monsters Series by Sam Crescent
Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
The door swung open.
Skye screamed out loud, the bloodcurdling sound foreign to her own ears.
“Shit! You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“Sorry,” she said, slumping down onto the edge of the bed. “My imagination tends to run a little wild.”
“Relax, it was just a stray cat. There’s no sign of Petrov’s men, but we should head out soon.”
She grabbed her bag and followed Galen.
Chapter Nine
Galen had many safe houses up and down the country, and even more spread out across the world. He never allowed himself to stay in the same place for too long. In his experience, it was how men like him died. They became complacent. They believed they were infallible. He’d learned from their mistakes. He’d killed a lot of men for making those very simple mistakes and he’d promised himself he never would.
Without knowing Viko’s endgame, he wasn’t willing to take a risk with Skye. Galen chose his safe house near the water. It offered multiple avenues of escape if Viko made a not-so-favorable decision about Skye’s life.
This time he didn’t cover Skye’s face at any point during the journey. She was free to see where they were going. For the first time in his life, he felt trust, a deeper connection, and that was an unusual experience for him. He wasn’t used to feeling that way about anyone.
It was simple for Galen. In order to survive, he didn’t trust anyone. It was how he’d lasted so damn long in his shit life, and it was how he would keep lasting. Only now there was a huge difference—he had a reason to live, and someone to protect.
He typed in his code, along with his fingerprint, to gain access to his safe house. Driving into the underground garage, he pulled on the parking brake and turned to Skye.
“We’re here.”
Silence set in immediately. Although his nerves were slightly on edge, he felt positive about the direction of his life. Choosing Skye had been the right decision for him. He was at peace.
“I’m almost afraid to ask how many safe homes you have.”
“A lot.”
“Wow. I know what you do is dangerous, but how do you handle it? The running, the danger…”
“I’m used to it. I’m good at what I do and I don’t make mistakes.” He opened his door, climbed out, and went to the trunk of the car, grabbing their bags. Now that they were safe again, Galen found that he could focus. Breathe. Viko would have known where to find him, but now they had a few days before he needed to move on. Until Viko gave him a firm answer, Galen knew he had to keep moving, changing tactics, figuring out what the plan would be. He wouldn’t let Skye know everything playing in his head. There were some things about his life and about her own, she didn’t need to learn. He’d take care of her, that was all she needed to know. He didn’t want her worrying for nothing.
“How do you keep track of everything you own?” she asked.
“I’ve been doing it for years.”
Skye followed him as he made his way through to the main house. It wasn’t big, but it was modern and comfortable. This house led out onto the water and he had a boat that was already fully stocked in the event he needed to make a break for it.
The house was heavily secured—cameras, trackers, the works. No one would get inside his home without him being aware of it. It was how he always stayed one step ahead of the enemy. His home was basic. There were no personal effects, nothing to pinpoint the house to him. The ownership was traced to an offshore company, something he’d set up.
Making his way upstairs, he dropped their bags off in the bedroom and as he turned around, he saw Skye had followed him and continued to nibble her lip. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
“It’s nothing.”
Reaching out, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in close. “Talk to me.”
“I don’t know how you can be so calm. I mean, we’re talking about your life right now. How some dangerous men could come and hurt you, and it’s my fault.”
He didn’t think long before slamming his lips down on hers. Galen wanted her to forget everything except the two of them and their current sanctuary.
The moment he heard her moan and felt her lips open to take his tongue, he pulled back just slightly. “This is not your fault, Skye.”
“People are trying to kill me. You’re in danger staying with me.”
“I’ve been hunting people for a lot longer. Way before I met you, trust me. None of what I do has been affected by me meeting you.”
He ran his hand over her hip, and with the other, he couldn’t resist gliding down and touching her plump ass. Galen loved her body and he couldn’t believe he’d denied himself from touching her for so long. He should be fucking shot for the way he’d treated her. She was utter temptation.