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 thought—” I swallowed past the knot in my throat. “I thought you left.”
Coby’s gaze softened, and then she fell to her knees in front of me and placed her hands on my spread thighs.
“Ride or die, bestie. Remember? Either we both go back together, or we don’t go back at all.”
Unable to speak, I nodded.
Coby looked unsure momentarily, biting her bottom lip before she stretched forward and kissed me. A wave of warmth washed over me, along with gut-wrenching hunger when I felt her soft lips against mine. She pulled away too soon and blushed. “So, are you coming or what?”
I nodded. Coby rose.
Reaching out, I grabbed her hand, but not to stand. “I’m sorry that I fucked Ocean.”
“Hunter,” Coby said with a long-suffering sigh that made me frown. “I told Ocean to seduce you. I told him to do all the things you’re feeling guilty about, so maybe it’s me who can’t be trusted. I don’t know, and I don’t care. We’ve both made mistakes, so maybe we should stop repeating them and be a team again. You need time, and I’m not going anywhere without you, so get your ass up and let’s go.” She held up her hand, and I finally noticed the keys in her hand. “I know where Roshaun keeps the spare car he uses for dirt.” She gave me an expectant look. “Did you find his stash?”
Reaching inside my bra, I tugged out the fat knot, tossed it in the air, and caught it. “Got it.”
“Then let’s not waste any more time.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me up.
Coby and I shared a grin once I stood, but that faded with the knock at the door.
I didn’t hesitate to pull my gun and let my voice deepen to sound like Roshaun when I spoke. “Who is it?”
Okay, that was terrible. Coby snorted despite the possible danger while I made a silly face and then shushed her.
“Seriously?” Kellan called through the door. Coby and I groaned. “You really think that voice is fooling anyone? We all know you’ve got balls, Parrish, but they’re metaphorical, yeah?”
I rushed forward and snatched open the door. “How the hell did you find us?”
“Again… seriously?” He quirked a pierced brow. “I’m actually disappointed you were dumb enough to hide out here. It’s the closest known location we have on file for you.”
I crossed my arms and popped a hip. “You really have a file?”
“Yup. Everyone does. Yours is as thick as my—”
“Ew. Don’t say it,” I cut him off.
Kellan gave me a withering look. “I was going to say thumb.”
“Sure, buddy.” I blindly reached behind me, and Coby slipped her hand into mine again. “Now, if you’ll fuck off. Coby and I have some disappearing to do.” I tried to pass him, but he blocked me with his arm and grinned when I glared.
Behind me, Coby sighed after our silent battle of wills dragged on.
“Where is he?” she asked Kellan. Coby already seemed resigned to our fate while I was still plotting a way out of here. I dodged Kellan once. I could do it again.
Kellan didn’t look away from me when he answered smugly. “Eager for you to join him at Glainne.” Kellan retreated a step, probably in case I thought about hitting him. “Now if you’re done stalling, let’s go. We both know you’re not getting away a second time.”
“Fine,” I agreed to everyone’s surprise, including my own. We followed Kellan to the Denali, where Paul was waiting.
Coby stopped me before I could climb inside. “Are you sure?”
“No,” I mumbled. “But look how fast Ocean found us. There’s no reason to believe Malcolm couldn’t find us just as fast. Where else are we going to go?” Coby’s worried gaze searched mine, so I smiled to assure her that I was okay with this before we climbed in. “Hey, Paul,” I greeted with false cheer.
He chuckled good-naturedly while watching me warily through the rearview. My reputation had been well earned. “Hunter.”
We rode silently until we reached the onyx tower in the city’s center. I looked around in awe as Coby and I followed Kellan up to the penthouse, which conveniently had a private elevator. Once we reached the top floor, the elevator opened directly into an apartment that called me ‘poor’ and ‘peasant’ in five languages.
As soon as we stepped inside, I spotted Ocean standing in front of one of the many windows with his back to us. The muscles were coiled tightly, and I knew even before he turned around that he was angry. When he did, I saw that the dress shirt was unbuttoned, showing off his sculpted abs and chest, but it was the blood staining the crisp white linen that held all my attention.
Ocean’s unguarded expression was hard as stone, the tension in his broad shoulders taut. When he spotted us, I could have sworn he softened a little.