Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
I jumped a little when he slammed the back door closed, and then I watched as he spoke to Abel. Two of his men climbed into the front seats while the rest dispersed, blending into the shadows before disappearing entirely.
It wasn’t long before the back door opened again, and I questioned the immediate relief I felt when Ocean joined me inside. The driver wasted no time backing the Denali out of the alley as if he knew Ocean was eager to get me locked away for no one to find me.
I was still fighting the panic those thoughts brought on when the back door to the club flew open again.
Ocean’s security went on high alert, so did I when I recognized that metallic silver dress wrapped around plush curves. My heart skipped a beat when Hunter stepped into the light, her stunning features twisted with confusion and concern as she frantically searched the alley for me.
The Denali had nearly reached the main road when she finally spotted us. The headlights were on full beam, so I knew she was blinded while everyone inside the vehicle could see her clearly. I could tell by her posture that she was already imagining the worst. Hunter must have noticed Roshaun being rushed through the club by paramedics and that I wasn’t with him.
I was so focused on Hunter that I was startled by the sound of Ocean’s voice breaking through. “Who is she?” His gaze was locked on Hunter through the windshield, but his tone was cold with a growl building in the back of his throat like he sensed someone hunting in his territory.
“No one,” I lied. Go back inside, Hunter. Go back. Please go back.
Instead of heeding my silent plea, I watched as she lifted her phone and tapped the screen while keeping her gaze locked on the Denali.
Hunter was the other half of me.
The sun to my moon.
I knew she could sense me nearby just as I could sense her soul crying out for me.
Please go back, Hunter. Please.
Placing the phone to her ear as she fearlessly strutted towards us, her generous hips swayed with every stride. A second later, my phone rang. Somehow, I’d forgotten that I still had it. It was weird that Ocean hadn’t thought to take it away. I’m sure kidnapping was a regular occurrence for him.
Needing to hear Hunter’s voice if only for the last time, I was still at war over whether to answer when my phone was deftly plucked from my hand. I watched helplessly as Ocean studied the screen.
On it was a provocative photo of Hunter posing in a thong bikini on the beach. Her long hair was wind-blown, and her round ass was in full view as she peered over her shoulder at the camera with an alluring smile.
It wasn’t even the most damning evidence that I’d lied.
It was that I’d saved her contact name as Mine.
Ocean stared at the screen for longer than was decent. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply to fight the jealousy that made me want to snatch my phone back, and when I opened them, I found him watching me curiously.
“How cute,” he remarked sarcastically. “But right now, I think it’s time we discussed my rules.” Hunter hung up and immediately began calling again. Ocean didn’t bother checking the screen this time. We both knew it could only be her. “Rule number one—lie to me again and the deal is off. That means I find your bitch-ass brother and rid him of his existence. Now let’s try again. Who. Is. She?”
“My roommate,” I said honestly while still downplaying what she was to me. Hunter was so much more, but I’d be a fool to give him another pawn to use against me. “She has nothing to do with this.”
The Denali finished reversing out of the alley and slowly turned until we were on the main road facing the flow of traffic.
“That’s for me to decide. Is she going to be a problem?”
“No,” I lied again. My best friend was definitely going to be a problem because she wouldn’t stop looking until she found me, and while God might forgive Ocean, Hunter sure as fuck wouldn’t.
“Can she track this phone?”
This time, I didn’t lie. It was easy to ignore my one shot at being rescued when it meant protecting Hunter. “Yes.”
“Stop the truck.” Ocean rolled down his window before we were even stationary. I thought he would chuck my phone through it, but he didn’t.
Instead, he powered it off and then tucked it inside his pocket before leaning back until he was out of sight with his long arm stretched along the back of the seat, his fingers within grabbing distance of my throat in case I tried anything.
I realized too late the reason why.
The bastard was giving Hunter an unobstructed view of me.