Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 159159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
“Good idea.” He glanced back again and saw Storm on his cell talking fast and knew he was filling Lana in. Storm already knew this was the woman who had caused Ice to nearly blow their cover on the street earlier. She wasn’t just anyone. Ice wanted her. For whatever reason, he might even need her. Storm would walk through hell to give Ice whatever he asked for—because he’d never asked for anything. His brothers and sisters in Torpedo Ink would do the same.
Ice’s body felt cold with nerves. He’d faced guns, knives, all kinds of fights, and he’d done so without flinching. This was different. This was important, and he had absolutely no guidelines. None. He swallowed the whiskey down, feeling the burn. Needing it. How the hell was he going to get her home, where he had a chance of keeping her?
“You know, honey, I’ve been thinking about this prenup thing. You’re right, everyone has them. He was a fool to give you up over that. I would have signed it without even looking at it in order to have you.” Deliberately he brought it up again, needing her to want to stay with him in the crowded bar. He needed time. A little time.
“You would?” Her face brightened, and she leaned into him. Just a little, but it was enough to tell Ice he was on the right track.
“In a heartbeat, princess. Any man worth anything would sign one.”
“He thought he was still going to get me,” she said. “And when he realized I meant what I said, he—” She broke off. Her voice trembled. Her hand shook as she lifted the glass to her mouth.
Ice moved closer to her and rubbed her back soothingly. “You’re safe here with us. Text Lana, she’ll tell you this is the right place. No one can harm you as long as you’re with us.” He glanced up as his brothers came back through the door. All three shook their heads. They hadn’t found any evidence of anyone chasing her.
He nodded to them and they moved in closer to protect his woman. She looked so completely out of place there, but now they had her surrounded. Alena would escort her to the women’s room anytime she wanted to go. Some of the women in the bar weren’t looking at her too fondly. He didn’t give a shit, as long as she was sitting next to him.
Soleil took out her phone. Ice noted her hand was still shaking. He wanted to cover it, to soothe her, but she wasn’t quite yet certain she was out of danger from him. Not even with the liquor. Unashamedly, Ice looked over her shoulder as she typed in her message to Lana.
Came to bar looking for you. Found Ice and others. It was bad. Worse than either of us thought.
What the fuck did that mean? He couldn’t just ask her. He waited impatiently for Lana’s reply. He knew she’d back him, but to have actually spoken to Soleil, given her contact information when they had just run a huge mission, meant she might know more about her situation. They’d separated, changed, made certain there wasn’t so much as a speck of blood on any of them and then gotten back together, everyone wearing their colors, celebrating Steele’s marriage to Breezy.
Ice will keep you safe. Don’t go back to the hotel. Stay with him. He absolutely won’t let anything happen to you. If you come with him, I’ll see you soon.
Ice could have kissed Lana. That was put in there so subtly. Stay with Ice. He’d keep her safe. See you soon. Perfection. The seeds were planted. His girl was that scared, and she needed friends. She needed to feel safe after the suit had gotten rough. He watched her carefully text Lana back.
Thank you.
“Here’s what we’re going to do, Soleil,” he said, taking charge, because she might as well know his true nature. “We’re forgetting that asshole. He’s not coming in here. Even if he did, he can’t touch you, there’s too many of us. We’re going to spend the rest of the evening having fun. We’ll dance a little. Play some darts. Some pool. Drink a little. We’re ignoring the rest of the world just for tonight. How does that sound? You with me, girl?”
She leaned her chin onto the heel of her hand and looked into his eyes. He was usually the one mesmerizing others with his glacier-blue crystalline eyes, but she turned the tables on him. He was sliding far past want straight to need.
“I think you’re making astonishing sense. Absolute sense. I’m with you one hundred percent.”
Still no slurred words, but his girl was feeling the effects. “You hungry?”
“I could eat something, but honestly, I don’t want to leave yet.” She glanced over her shoulder and a little shiver went through her body.