CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
ROWAN
This asshole is really fucking with my plans for the evening.
A nice date.
Some flowers for my girl.
And then some filthy sex.
Is that really too much to ask for?
Knowing Asher is on his way home eases some of my worries. Because even if Jeffrey wants to order whoever is in the van to attack us, we have backup on the way, and he’ll be perfectly aware of that.
I push the accelerator harder than I would like with Hannah in the car, but it’s necessary. I have to shake this guy before I head home, and this is the only way to do that.
Tension bleeds into the air, and although I’d like nothing more than to reach for her, I can’t. Not yet. Not until we’re safe.
Once we’re behind the walls of our home, I’ll give her as much comfort and reassurance as she needs. But for right now, all my focus needs to be on keeping her safe.
Hannah looks over her shoulder and lets out a little squeak when she notices the van is closer than before.
I’m almost positive he’s just trying to spook us, but on the small chance that they mean us harm, I need to put some distance between us.
“You okay, Hannah?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“You wouldn’t be lying to me, would you, sweetheart?”
“I’m lying to the both of us,” she snaps, and I can’t help but chuckle.
Always the little brat.
The van matches my speed, keeping up with us as we weave through endless trees. We’re getting close to home now, and I have to make a decision.
I either lead them straight to the house, or I take them on a wild goose chase.
It’s not like Jeffrey doesn’t know where I live. He’s one of the most well-connected men in the country. I’d be surprised if he couldn’t get the address for anyone he wanted. But what I don’t know is what and who are in the van.
As confident as I am that they’re just trying to scare us, I can’t shake the worry that they’re not.
What if there’s an arsenal behind the blacked-out windows and they’re biding their time before they take my girl from me?
I don’t fucking think so.
Easing off the accelerator slightly, I round the bend that our driveway is just beyond.
I release a breath, forcing the tension from my shoulders. “Hold on tight, Hannah.”
She doesn’t get a chance to respond before I jerk the wheel to the side, turning into the driveway at the last second and pushing the car to its limits as I speed toward the gate.
I reach up and press the button to open it the second it comes into view and hope like hell I can get it closed before the van makes it through.
“Rowan,” Hannah whimpers.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.”
