Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“Happy clients,” he said, not elaborating further. “And we’re not here to talk about me. What did Dani mean by you need help?” He perched himself on the edge of his desk, leaning away from her. The emotional walls he’d erected couldn’t be higher, not that she blamed him.
She’d gone over what to say to him during their many hours on the road, but now that she was here, all her ideas disappeared. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, but her gaze cataloged the changes in him instead.
He wore a solid black T-shirt and his muscles were evident below the short sleeves. His chest was broad, his body obviously tight and built. He was all facial scruff and his attitude screamed alpha bad-boy, which begged the question. Where had her lean computer geek gone?
“I’m waiting.” His gruff voice startled her and she jumped.
Right. He wanted her story, not for her to sit and ogle him. “Maybe I should start with why I left all those years ago,” she said, blurting out the first thing that came to mind.
He folded his arms across his chest and somehow those biceps bulged even more. “How about you start with why you’re here now, instead? No need to revisit the past.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. Perhaps she’d misjudged how difficult he’d be. “Fine. My father is in trouble with some very bad people. I know that sounds like a line from a cheesy movie but it’s true. One of them approached me by my car after work and said to tell my father if he didn’t cooperate, they’d take me and Dani instead. As payment.”
Zach’s gorgeous indigo eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
She swallowed hard. “After he threatened me, the guy left. I got into my car and drove home.” She curled her fingers around her handbag until her nails dug into her palms. “As soon as I walked into the house, my father told me to pack up, take Dani, and run.”
She met Zach’s gaze, hoping to see some form of understanding only to find a stoic mask of indifference. He’d never been cold to her before and despite expecting it, his attitude hurt.
“How did you find me?” he asked. “Actually, scratch that since I already know the answer. I wasn’t the one who left. A simple Google search would have shown you my location.”
God, she’d hurt him and the knowledge twisted inside her.
“Why come to me for help?”
Her heart pounded painfully in her chest. If she didn’t convince him to help her, she didn’t know where she’d go or what to do.
She ran a hand through her hair with a shaking hand. “I read the article your sister-in-law wrote about her ordeal last year. How you were responsible for finding the former senator’s wife after she’d attempted to run over Winter with her car. I also read the follow-up about all the families who were indebted to you for what you’d done for them.”
She glanced at the photos on the walls again and the pieces fell into place. “They all sent you these.” Looking at the good he’d done, warmth filled her up inside, and she was awed by his second occupation. Finding missing people wouldn’t always have a happy ending and he did it anyway. “I always knew you’d do great things.”
“Don’t.” He bit out the harsh word and she flinched. At least she was getting some emotion out of him, even if it was anger.
He pushed himself off the desk and paced around the room in silence.
She wondered if he was trying to find a way to say no or if he was attempting to come up with a plan. She hoped it was the latter.
“You need protection,” he said at last. “A place to stay where your sister is safe and so are you.” It wasn’t a question.
She blew out a long breath and nodded. “Yes. My father asked me to call on my burner phone so he’d have my untraceable number. He’ll let us know when it’s safe to return.”
Closing her eyes, she sighed. “If it’s ever safe. But right now, I can’t worry about that. I need a short-term solution while I figure out what to do next. I can’t stay in a hotel because I can’t show my license or use my credit cards and they always want to have one on file. I do have some prepaid ones but I’d rather save them for food and emergencies.”
Zach stopped pacing and leveled his gaze on hers, as if trying to figure her out.
“You know an awful lot about disappearing without a trace,” he muttered, affirming her thought.
She rose to her feet, prepared for an argument but before she could remind him he hadn’t wanted an explanation, he spoke.
“How did you get here?”
“I drove my car. It’s parked behind the bar.”