Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 148434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
That doesn’t make me feel any better. “I thought that was more likely.” I adjust my earpiece. “But I just want to cover my bases where her brothers are concerned.”
“You should worry more about Tony seeing the condom graveyard—and I’m going to be honest here: it’s not that you look like the aftermath of a hetero porn. You smell like one.”
Noted. “I’ll take a shower before I see Tony.” I hold out my hand for his radio. “Let me check the battery.”
“Sure, Mom.” He slaps it in my palm.
I almost roll my eyes now. “How long did it take you and Maximoff to get here?” I look up, just to check on Jane.
She’s lacing one boot, and her best friend ties the other for her. Both chatting and catching up like we are.
“At his pace, three hours. We would’ve been earlier, but we couldn’t leave the house until the wind died down.” Our eyes lift as snow flurries turn thick, sticking to the ground.
The sun is gone. Not good.
Farrow stands off the car. “The others wanted to come too.”
“Her brothers?”
“No. They just wanted Maximoff to go.”
That’s how much the families trust him as their leader. Charlie probably didn’t see a purpose in going if Maximoff was there.
“I meant Oscar, Donnelly, Quinn…Akara,” Farrow tells me. “Omega.”
I freeze, hand on my mic cord, then surprise leaves me in a breeze. “For Jane,” I realize.
Farrow nods. “And you.”
It slams me back. Almost hard to believe. Hard to accept. “You’re bullshitting me.”
He laughs. “Fuck, I’d come up with better bullshit.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a stick of gum. “Sulli was dying to go to, and the only reason they’re all not here is Tony.” He pops the gum in his mouth. “That dipshit was determined to rescue Jane. And most of us were concerned he’d walk into this.”
This.
He’s referring to me and Jane sleeping together. The twin switch could’ve been blown, and the consequences are heavy if Tony finds out and tells the Alpha lead. Banks could lose his job.
I could lose my job.
Tomorrow is December 20th and we’re flying back to Philly. I barely have a day left pretending to be Banks. I can’t fuck this up, especially this close to the end.
“So Akara told everyone to stay back and Tony listened?”
“Basically.” Farrow chews gum. “Tony was fine with Maximoff and me going.” He doesn’t add why Tony would be okay with just them, but I already know the reason.
Farrow is essential. A doctor. And Maximoff is resilient enough that most of the team believes he could protect himself and then some.
As the weather worsens, we wrap this up and get what we need. They brought two extra packs, and we stuff some groceries in them. It should be a six-hour hike back, but that’s not even what’s bearing on our minds.
We all look up at the angry sky.
“Do we think this’ll let up by tomorrow?” Maximoff asks.
Jane inhales, normally in preparation for a battle but none of us expected to face Mother Nature over and over again. “God, I hope so.”
27
JANE COBALT
“What do you mean we can’t leave?” Beckett stops at the bottom step of the wooden staircase. Luggage is piled near the door of Mackintosh House, overloaded with backpacks, suitcases, and duffels. Our flight leaves tonight, but we’re supposed to make the long car ride to the airport this afternoon.
Delayed is a kind word for what’s happening here.
And unfortunately, Beckett—of all people—has risen early enough that he’s stepped into an informal meeting about the situation.
My palms warm around a mug of steaming coffee, and I stand uneasily in the foyer where wet jackets hang on a coat rack and frost resembles spider-web cracks on the door’s windowpanes. I’m the only female at this tense gathering, and Maximoff is the only family member of mine. Until Beckett arrives.
The other six men here are Security Force Omega: Thatcher, Akara, Farrow, Oscar, Donnelly, and Quinn.
And I wish I had better news for Beckett. He already has on a blue snow coat, Ray Bans on his head, and a duffel bag strapped across his chest.
Beckett gestures to the door, his arm gliding with more poise than hostility—even his voice is even-tempered. “The exit is right there.”
I step forward. He’s my brother after all, and I put him in this mess. “We’re snowbound, Beckett.” I explain how temperatures have fallen to the negatives, and snow and ice dominate the remote village with no reprieve just yet.
His face contorts like he can’t believe what I’m saying.
Seeing my naturally calm brother look so pained drives a wedge in my ribs.
“Wait, wait.” He squeezes his eyes shut, then opens them. “But we can leave in a few hours?” His chest rises and falls harder.
I open my mouth, but I struggle to say the truth that we both know exists.