Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
My words make him grin. “That’s the idea.”
Chapter 23
Jamie
I stand next to Julian as a car pulls up the driveway of the mansion. Rhett arrived thirty minutes earlier, and I watch as he and Carter walk toward the vehicle.
When Hayden and Max climb out and shake hands with Carter and Rhett, I let out a deep breath of relief.
Just seeing the two hardened veterans makes me feel better.
Hayden hangs back to talk with Rhett while Max walks toward me. I notice how his eyes never stop scanning over the surrounding area. Reaching me, his eyes meet mine with an intense look.
The first time I met Max, I couldn’t hold eye contact with him, but now I force myself to not look away.
“Jamie, it’s good to see you again. Wish it was under better circumstances,” he says in a low growl, and it makes the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I’d be stupid not to fear this man a little. The things he must’ve seen and experienced in his life makes my own problems pale in comparison.
For a moment, my eyes drift over the scars on his face. I heard he got them during his last mission.
“Hi, Max.” My voice sounds like I’m fourteen again, filled with the unknown fear of having to bury another loved one.
Even though Max’s posture is relaxed, his gaze keeps boring into mine. “We’ll catch the person.”
One sentence. That’s all it takes to make the tension snap inside of me.
Not caring that he’s a badass Navy Seal, I throw myself forward and wrap my arms around his neck. Max doesn’t even budge a muscle from the impact of my body hitting his. He wraps two strong arms around me, and I get the same feeling I had with Mr. Reyes – the safety only a father figure’s arms can provide.
“Julian, let me introduce you,” I hear Rhett say. “This is Hayden Cole and Max Perry.”
I pull away so Max can greet Julian.
“Nice to meet you,” Hayden says, shaking hands with Julian, then he turns to me and nods his head at me. “Jamie.”
When everyone begins to move inside the house, Hayden takes hold of my elbow and asks Carter and Rhett. “Can Max and I have a moment alone with Jamie?”
“Sure, we’ll be in the living room when you’re done,” Rhett answers his father-in-law.
I can see Julian’s not too happy with the idea, and then he says, “There’s a bench under the oak tree you can sit and talk.”
“Thanks.”
I smile at Julian before I lead the two men over the bench, and when I turn to sit down, I notice Julian’s still standing on the porch, his eyes never leaving me.
Hayden sits down next to me while Max remains standing, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“Thanks for coming out here,” I say.
“No need to thank us,” Max grumbles.
“Is there anything you can tell us? It doesn’t matter how insignificant you think it might be,” Hayden asks.
I think back over the past couple of weeks. “He had to watch me, to learn that I drink a smoothie at night.”
“Did you lock your room whenever you left?” Hayden asks.
“The door automatically locks. I have a keycard to open it.”
Hayden looks up at Max. “The person knows how things work around the campus, in order to get into her room. It could be a student or an employee.”
“Why me, though?” I ask the million-dollar question.
“Because this person is sick in the head, that’s the only real reason,” Max answers.
Hearing him say the words offer me some comfort that it’s not because of something I did.
Julian
“We’ll take over guarding Jamie,” Hayden says, his tone offering no option to discuss the matter.
“What about the ranch?” Rhett asks.
“We have people caring for it,” Max answers from where he’s standing with his back to a wall in the living room, facing all of us.
“And the current guards?” I ask. “Do we keep them to relieve you when you’re sleeping?”
Hayden nods before he answers, “We only need four hours sleep.”
“Where will you stay?” Jamie asks. Trust her to think about the men while we’re discussing her safety.
“I’ll have a suite set up for them on the floor beneath yours,” I reply.
“Looks like we’re going back to school,” Max murmurs, which draws a chuckle from Hayden.
Hayden looks at Jamie. “What time are we leaving?”
“After dinner. I already packed everything.” Jamie gets up from the sofa then looks at her sister. “Let’s go for a walk.”
I watch the two women leave, then my eyes go back to Hayden and Max. At first glance, they scared the living shit out of me, but once I spoke with them, the apprehension quickly turned to a sense of comfort.
I’m still not at ease with the idea of Jamie going back to Trinity, though, and I keep watching the two men who will be responsible for her safety.