Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
His face morphs from anger to shock. That’s right, prick, my girl told me, told all of us what you did to her, and we’re not going to stand for it. His eyes flash with a mix of worry and anger, and I can’t seem to find a single fuck to give.
“What’s going on over here?” Knox asks as he approaches us.
“Just checking on my girl, and Brown here says he’s injured.”
“Yo, John!” Knox calls out to the head physical therapist. He comes walking over, and Knox doesn’t miss a beat. “The new guy’s hurt. You might want to check him over.” There’s a challenge in Knox’s eyes as he looks at Chaz.
“It’s fine,” Chaz says.
“But you wanted Rowan to take a look. Better get checked out,” I taunt.
“Come on, Brown,” John says. “We don’t need injuries before the season even starts.” He nods for him to head toward the locker room.
“Good luck!” I call out to him. Chaz glares at me, spits on the ground, then turns and stalks off.
“That was fun,” Knox says, shaking his head.
“Landry!” Rowan scolds. “You can’t provoke him like that. He’s dangerous.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her, tugging on her hand to pull her into my chest. “We’re fine. He needs to understand you’re not alone. He now understands that we know what he did, and we’re not going to let him anywhere near you on his own.”
Her brow pulls together slightly, but instead of acknowledging me, she laughs and pushes me away. “Ew, you’re all sweaty.” She scrunches up her nose, dropping her hand from mine.
Instantly, I miss the connection. “Fine, I’ll go shower. You gonna eat with me?” I ask her.
“I have been every day the last two weeks,” she reminds me.
“Just making sure. Can’t have my girl breaking bread with my teammates.”
Rowan rolls those big blue eyes and looks over at Knox. “Can you help bring his ego down a little? Oh, and while you’re at it, remind him that this isn’t real.”
“Many have tried.” Knox laughs. “And as far as this”—he points between the two of us—“not being real, that’s between the two of you. The only relationship I get involved in is the one with my wife.” He winks and saunters off.
“I don’t want you to get into trouble with the team.”
“Hey.” I place my index finger beneath her chin and lift so her eyes meet mine. “I’m not going to get into trouble. He needs to know he has no control over you and that you’re not alone. You have me. You have all of us, and we’re not going to let him hurt you ever again.” I’ll be damned if I let that fucker lay a hand on her.
She nods and smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “You better go shower so I can finish up here.”
“Wait for me?” I ask. She’s right. She’s been eating meals with me since training camp started, and I’ve enjoyed spending time with her. I can feel myself changing in a good way. Rowan is all I can think about, and touching her, having her close to me, calling her mine… it’s hard to think that way without letting feelings get involved.
That day, family day, when I saw Chaz giving her a hard time, I didn’t think. I acted. One would think I would have regrets, but there are none. I like calling her mine. I like that my team sees her that way. The entire Rampage organization and the entire world, once it’s leaked, will think she’s mine.
I’ve always thought she was beautiful, and now, spending so much time with her, touching her, I’ve realized that maybe I didn’t say she was mine that day just to help her. Maybe, subconsciously, I’ve wanted her to be mine all along.
In the dining hall, I load up my plate and grab a table in the corner while I scan the room, searching for Rowan. When I see her also peering around the room, I stand up and wave. The smile that lights up her face when she sees me hits me in the chest. It’s not a smile I’m used to from a woman.
I’m used to smiles that say “I can seduce him and make him want me.” This smile, the one Rowan is giving me, says she’s happy to see me. She doesn’t see dollar signs or a quick rise to fame. To Rowan, I’m just a man, her friend’s brother, and someone who wants to protect her. She has no idea that with that single tilt of her lips, she makes my heart race. I’m pretty sure she could ask anything of me, and if it were within my power, I’d give it to her. Not because I’m a nice guy, which I am, but because she’s Rowan.
My Rowan.
Fuck. I’m falling for her.