Multiple times.
God, what a day.A long drive at dawn. Two naps. And the kind of love making that felt like rewriting the rules.
Now, morning light spills through the window, soft and golden. I sit up slowly, the sheet slipping from my shoulder. Theroom is still, but the air thrums with tension, like something is coiled and waiting to snap.
The door is cracked open. Through it, I see Saint crouched near the front window, pistol in hand, shoulders tight. His entire body is still but alert. I don't need to see his face to know he's locked in. Focused.
Boots scuff on the porch outside.
I go cold.
I slide out of bed, pulling on Saint’s shirt, heart thundering. My bare feet make no sound on the wood floor as I creep toward the door, inching it open just enough to see.
Saint holds up two fingers toward someone I can’t see. A few moments later, I catch movement through the side window near the back. A tall, broad shadow moves into position.
I recognize the man from Ava's pictures.Ghost.Built like a wrecking ball in human skin.
There’s a pause.
Then a knock at the door. Hard. The kind that promises trouble.
Saint doesn’t move. His voice is calm, low. “Who is it?”
“Delivery,” a man calls through the wood, his voice too casual. Too familiar.
My stomach drops. I recognize him. The wolf from yesterday. The one who smiled like he was already planning to own me.
Saint’s gaze flicks toward the bedroom. He knows I’m listening. He raises a single finger to his lips, then returns his focus to the door.
“We didn’t order anything,” he says.
“Nah, but you ordered trouble when you got in our way,” the man replies.
“You had a shot at walking away clean. That offer’s expired.”
“Didn’t know she was family,” the voice says, casual like he’s chewing a toothpick. “Now we do… and that just makes us want the job more.”
A beat.
“Your crew's been a thorn in our side long enough. Handing her over? That’s payback and a paycheck in one.”
Outside, there's the sound of boots shifting in gravel. More than one set.
My pulse starts to roar in my ears.
“Her old man’s got deep pockets and dirtier friends. He wants her delivered. Sold. Handed off to people who pay real money for girls like her. He's got buyers lined up.”
A short laugh.
“Hell, he even sent a deposit.”
My skin crawls.
I press a palm to my lips to keep from making a sound.
They’re here for me.
They’re trying to sell me off like nothing.
