AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tears well in my eyes as I squeeze her hand. “I know you would.”
I’m so touched to have these two amazing people in my life, willing to do anything to protect me.
Our waitress comes over with our checks, barely giving Max more than a cursory glance after the way he kissed me, which makes me grin. I try to grab the check but Max snatches it, reaching for his wallet. Twisting my body, my fingers grasp for it again, but he tickles me, causing me to squeal and move in the opposite direction as he hands the check and his card to the waitress.
After she departs, Max turns to me with a victorious smile on his face. Tilting my head to the side, I study his handsome face. “You are spoiling me.”
His lips press against my cheek. “Good.”
While Max signs the card slip, my eyes inadvertently look over to where William once sat. A foreboding feeling comes over me, making me shiver, my body tensing.
Williamalwaysgets what he wants. He’s relentless and will go to any lengths to succeed, having unlimited funds and a great deal of power from his last name that even thwarts the long reach of the law.
Can Max and Vanessa keep me safe from whatever nefarious plan he can concoct?
Chapter twenty-one
Max
August27,2018,9:30a.m.
As I help Irelynn inside the passenger side of my Jeep, she bites down on her lip, her eyes moving to Vanessa. She releases her lip, taking a deep breath, her brow wrinkled. “Do you think you can let her go first, then stay behind her until we have to turn off to head to campus?”
I halt my movements, studying her, then turn to Vanessa. “Sure. Text her and let her know we’ll follow her until we need to turn to head to campus.”
Irelynn pulls out her phone as I close her door. I can’t help the involuntary smile that crosses my lips. Her concern for her friend is endearing and so unlike everything I’d witnessed between my ex and her friends. Brianna treated her friends like disposable posse that she used exclusively for her needs. Shaking my head, I wonder how I was so stupid to think she wasn’t treating me the same way.
Irelynn and Vanessa act more like me and Darin. We always have each other’s backs. We have since high school.
Hopping inside my Jeep, I start the ignition. Turning to Irelynn, I ask, “Did something happen with William and Vanessa that has you concerned?”
She releases a long sigh, her hand moving to her necklace, gripping the pendant that hangs from her neck. “Unfortunately, she may have made herself a target standing up for me.” Her eyes drop to her lap. “Vanessa never met William. She and I didn’t become friends until my freshman year of college. I confessed to her what had happened with him stalking me and… stuff in school.” She pauses, worrying her lip between her teeth, watching as Vanessa backs out of her parking space. Then she turns her face to mine, releasing her lip. “I froze when William walked inside the diner and Vanessa noticed my odd reaction. She asked which one he was, and I described him. Of course, that meant she turned around and stared at him. When he said hello to me, Vanessa immediately told him he needed to leave me the hell alone and called him an asshole. Although I love her for standing up for me, she may have made herself a target.”
I don’t like the idea of Vanessa being targeted by that asshole either, but I am proud of her for standing up for her friend. I just hope she didn’t put herself in any danger. It will be hard to protect them both, even with Darin’s help.
Pulling out behind Vanessa, my hand moves to Irelynn’s leg, my hand reassuring against her thigh. “Warn her to be careful and if she sees him hanging around anywhere he shouldn’t be, like your apartment, to let you know. And please, let me know, okay?”
“But Max, you can’t protect both of us, especially if we are in two different places.”
Nodding, my eyes are on the road. “Likely, his attention will be focused primarily on you. Please talk to Vanessa and ask her to simmer it down and not antagonize him unless she has to. And by that, I mean, if he tries to go after you. But if you guys see him on campus or anywhere else and he doesn’t approach, be cautious and don’t engage with him.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to her when I see her tonight.”
“Will she be home all evening with you?” My fingers tighten around the steering wheel.
“Yes, and she’s already promised to make up for the lost time this weekend. Which means, she won’t leave my side, unless you’d be around.”
My fingers relax on my steering wheel. “Good. I’m helping Darin for a few hours at his motorcycle shop after class. But text or call if you need me.” Turning my head, I stare at her intently. “I’m serious, Irelynn. Don’t feel guilty or like you are a burden, okay? Call or text me if you need me. Darin is cool. He’ll understand.”
She lets out a breath, her facial features relaxing. “Okay.”
Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, I smile at her, relaxing as I drive toward campus, Irelynn next to me.
Life is so good right now.
Irelynn’s phone beeps and she looks at me. “Vanessa made it home safely.”
“Good.” I relax against my seat, hoping that bastard will leave Irelynn alone when we get to campus.
