Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“No lying,” he orders, and I roll my eyes.
“Fine,” I huff. “But I go first.”
“Deal.” Another smile plays at his lips but he quickly gets it under control. Why do I want to break that control?
Maybe because I enjoy pushing things to the edge.
“Are you a cop?” I blurt out.
“Pretty much.”
“‘Pretty much’? That’s not an answer.”
He lets out a long sigh. “To most of the world, no. To a select few, yes.”
“Ooooh, like the FBI or CIA. Wait! Is there an agency that no one knows about like SAA or something?” I bet the government has another secret branch they don’t tell us about. If I ran the government, I know I would.
“SAA?”
“Secret Asshole Agents. It would fit for you.” I shrug. “I don’t know. I made it up.”
He lets out a low chuckle that’s deep and way too sexy. I didn’t know a laugh could be sexy, and it makes me giggle. People think I’m stupid or adorable. Either works in my favor for the most part.
“Okay, my turn.” I already know what he’s going to ask. “Tell me about the situations worse than this.”
Crap.
“If I have to pick I suppose it’s one I’m in now.”
“I’m not going to hurt you, firecracker.”
He keeps calling me that, and I kinda don’t hate it. It’s different from “babe” or “honey.”
“I’m not scared of you. Physically at least,” I admit. “It’s my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” he grumbles, and his eyebrows furrow.
“Ex-boyfriend, I guess. I don’t know. I never really called it off, but I ghosted him, so you’d think he’d get the message. Men can be so dense.”
Maxim grips the steering wheel tighter. “How is that situation worse than having Vince Sledge murdered in front of you?”
“That’s a second question,” I point out.
“But an important one. Is your ex trying to find you?”
“That’s a third, you cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater.”
He shakes his head. “Do you take anything seriously?”
“I don’t have a choice but to take everything seriously,” I admit. “If I didn’t, I’m not sure I’d be alive.” A weird mix of emotions flood me. It always does when I think of my upbringing.
“Rue.” He says my name gently, like he’s asking nicely for more.
Would it really be so wrong to tell him a little more about me?
“I grew up different. That’s all.” I shrug, trying to downplay it like it’s not a big deal.
“Tell me.” Maxim surprises me by reaching over and placing his hand on top of mine. I suppose that wasn’t exactly a question.
“I grew up with a traveling carnival,” I tell him, and like most people, he raises his eyebrows in surprise. “It could be a free-for-all with so many people around. It’s like a family but not. The people will take care of you, but they don’t really watch you. You know?”
“Fuck,” he mutters.
“It wasn’t all bad.” I play with the hem of my skirt while I think back. “But it wasn’t always the safest either.”
“Is your ex part of the carnival?”
“No. I met him when we stopped in a city for a month.” I don’t tell Maxim how he fed me lots of lies. Ones I wanted to believe. “Thankfully I came to my senses. It took me a second, but I caught on that he was a con and trying to steal my virginity.” I roll my eyes. “Men.”
The hand Maxim is using to hold mine tightens. “What happened?”
“He was persistent. He followed me to a few towns, and it really started to freak me out. Some of the guys scared him off, but he always came back.” I glance out the window. “He snuck into my trailer one night when I was sleeping.” I don’t mention that I’ve had trouble sleeping since that night. “I got away.” I grin and look up at Maxim. “And I might have stolen his car.”
“And he’s still looking for you?” I nod.
Gavin has gotten close a few times, but I know he won’t stop. Well, he’s probably not looking for me, per se. It’s more likely that he’s looking for the drugs and money I found in the trunk of his car.
Either way, I’m pretty sure he wants me dead… Or worse.
Chapter Four
MAXIM
“What are we doing here?” Rue asks when I pull up to the front of the hotel.
“I don’t know about you, but I could use a hot shower and a good night's sleep.” The valet opens my door, and I pass him the keys with several bills. “Ground floor, section B,” I tell him, and his eyes widen at the cash.
“Yes, sir,” he agrees before quickly tucking away the cash in his pocket before I have a chance to change my mind.
Another valet has already opened Rue’s door, and I step in his way to help her out. She looks up at me and then stares around with wide eyes.