AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shoots me a smirk. “The biggest.”
“Sure. Seriously, guys. What’s going on?”
“You’ll see,” Travis says. “They asked us not to say anything until you were here and we agree it’s better that way. Go check it out and make sure we’re good,” he directs to J-Dawg.
“You got it, boss,” J-Dawg says as he climbs out of the SUV.
My knee bounces enough to shake the entire vehicle as we wait for the all clear, but I don’t even bother pumping Travis for information. If my pleas, pouting, and threats haven’t worked thus far, nothing will.
“You can trust us,” Travis says. “I promise, it’ll be worth it.”
My glare must need work because all it does is draw a smile from my bodyguard. Come to think of it, my “threats” could probably use some training as well. It’s not my fault being mean is so hard.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for J-Dawg to return from the house with the green light. (Not only am I inpatient for answers, I was three seconds away from offering Travis a packet of almonds which would’ve severely wrecked my “mean” cred.)
After securing my hair under a ball cap and slipping on oversized sunglasses, I follow J-Dawg toward the house. Travis brings up the rear, and I sense their urgency to get me out of sight as quickly as possible. They were also more insistent than usual that I disguise myself. J-Dawg doesn’t even knock before pushing through the door and leading me inside.
The second I see him, my heart bursts.
“Val…” I breathe out.
A door closes behind me. Other people say stuff. Time probably continues. I even think I spot Nash leaning against the wall, but none of it matters as stunning green eyes rest on me.
His lips tip up in a smile I’ve been craving, and I rush toward him.
He laughs softly as he squeezes me against him, and I cling hard to absorb as much as I can.
“I’ve missed you,” he says quietly.
“I’ve missed you too. Where have you been? Why can’t you talk to me?”
“It’s…” His voice fades, and I feel the heat of his breath on my hair as he kisses me.
Whatever. All questions for later. Right now, I just want to get lost in the familiar scent of spicy forests and feel the soothing warmth of his body.
I rest my cheek against his shoulder as his arms tighten around me.
“We’ll give you some time,” Travis says.
“Thanks again, man,” Val replies, his voice rumbling against me. “I owe you.”
“No problem. You did us the favor. She was about to slip our protection and go hunting for you. This is way easier on us.”
I smile and pull back just enough to send Travis a grateful smile.
He returns it and follows everyone but Nash through the open doorway to the neighboring room.
“What about me?” my friend says, crossing his arms. “You didn’t miss me? Where’s my hug?”
I shoot him a mock glare. “Of course I’m glad to see you. And I’ll hug you in a minute. I’m still working on this one.”
He chuckles and moves to an armchair in front of the TV.
Val leads me to the neighboring couch and pulls me down beside him. He slides his arm around me, and I nestle into his side. I’m aware of Nash’s amused look as I draw Val’s other hand to my lips, but so what? With everything going on, who knows when I’ll get to see my boyfriend again, let alone be close to him? What if this is it?
“I’m so sorry for all of this,” Val says. “It’s not what we wanted, but we didn’t know what to do.”
“Can you tell me what’s going on now?”
