Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
At the door, Savage holds up a hand. “I’ll clear the way.”
Aaron nods, and Savage leaves. The minute that door seals me and Aaron inside alone, Aaron turns me to face him, his hands sliding under my hair as he presses me against the wall, his big body caging mine. “Do you have any idea how fucking scared I was of losing you?”
His voice is low, rough, punched with emotion, but I have some emotions of my own right now, namely anger. “Then here’s a little tip,” I say, cupping his hands, “stop walking out on me because, no matter what, that’s what you did. You left me six months ago, and you left tonight.”
He pulls back to look at me. “Six months ago, I left to protect you. Tonight, I left to protect you and go after Mick.”
“To hide from the truth,” I accuse.
Now he’s angry. It glints in his eyes. “I told you the damn truth.”
“And judged yourself for me. Stop doing that because, Aaron, Noah, it seems to me like you didn’t leave me behind because you thought I’d be safer without you. You left me behind because you didn’t want to face the many ways you lied to me.”
The door opens. “Okay, cupcakes,” Savage announces, “all clear.”
Aaron grimaces at him, a low growl escaping his throat. “Obviously, I interrupted,” Savage adds. “But don’t fret, you get your own room in my place. You two can play kissing games and whatever else turns you on once you’re there.”
Only kissing games isn’t what’s in the air. It’s love and war.
Chapter thirty-two
Aaron
Icatch Ashley’s waist, drag her to me, and press my lips to her ear. “I never willingly left you. Ever. Including tonight.” I don’t give her time to reply. I snag her hand and turn in Savage’s direction. “Let’s go.”
He nods, and we follow him into the hallway and then walk a short distance to his door where we wait as he uses a security panel to allow entry. So far, I’m reasonably impressed. He eyes me over his shoulder. “There are booby traps. If you open the door, and you aren’t me, you’re going to feel pain. If you walk in the door without me, you’re going to end up in a net. That’s just how I roll.”
It's excessive, even given his career choice. I arch a brow. “Enemies?”
“Probably more than you, my man. There’s a reason why I’m single.” He opens the door and motions us forward.
Ashley grimaces, but she doesn’t look at me. “Now, I’m afraid to go inside.”
Savage winks. “I have a pocket knife to cut you out of the net. Promise.”
She scowls, but moves forward into the apartment. Savage gives me a raised eyebrow of his own. “Trouble in paradise?”
“I’ll let you know when we find paradise,” I murmur under my breath, but that quest, that need to get Ashley to some version of paradise, is real. It’s the only damn reason I’m here with Savage when I prefer to work alone. She needs this to be over and now. And she’s right. It’s taking me too fucking long to get that done.
I follow her into the apartment, and she’s already facing me, waiting on me, a challenge in her eyes that I’ll damn sure answer when we’re alone. “Look around,” I murmur, reminding her that I’m safe, but her environment might not be, but then, she trusts the Walkers too much for my comfort.
A conversation we’ll have later.
For now, I grab her and turn her to face the room, my hands settling on her shoulders. “Look around,” I order again, leaning in close. “Find your escape routes, your hiding places. The places to avoid.” And I do the same. I focus on the room rather than the woman making me fucking crazy. I want to kiss her. I want to fuck her. I want to love her. I want to make her see the truth in my lies, but I may never make that happen.
We’re in the living area of an open warehouse-style apartment with gray hardwoods. The kitchen is to the right with a round stone island in the center. Directly in front of us is a stairwell that leads to an upper level. The upper level is framed in its entirety—front, left, and right—with square railings.
A security system buzzes into place behind me, and Savage steps to my side. “The railing makes for a good target platform,” he says, “but I actually have a small soundproof shooting range upstairs. If you want the lady here to learn to shoot, this is the place to make it happen.”
“I know how to shoot,” Ashley says. “But yes, I’d like to practice.” She twists away from me and faces us both, folding her arms in front of her. “Now what?”
Savage eyes me. “I suggest we get Blake over here to chat this out.”