The Nines (The Nines #1)
Page 17
I shake my head. “That’s got to be the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard.”
He bites his bottom lip. “How about this? My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep…”
“Nope. Quoting Shakespeare won’t cut it either.”
He smiles. “Tough room.”
“Tired clichés and bad lines will get you nowhere with me.”
“It works in romance novels.”
I frown. “Do I look like the romance novel kind of girl to you?”
“Not in any way.”
I place my arms around his neck. “Good. Now try again.”
“Okay. I love you more than my morning coffee.”
I give him a quick kiss. “You’re getting closer.”
“I love you more than my computers.”
I scrunch up my nose at him. “You don’t really love them, as necessary as they may be to your existence.”
“You’re right. What else?” He cocks his head to one side clearly giving the matter his utmost consideration.
“How about this?” I suggest. “Do you love me enough to give up wearing your mask?”
I can feel every muscle in his body tighten. I finally hit a nerve. The one thing he’s not willing to give up. The thing he thinks he can’t live without.
When he doesn’t respond I wonder if I should let him off the hook. He actually looks pained.
“It’s not important,” I say finally. As I go to remove my arms from around him he holds them in place.
“It is important,” he says.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do just to please me.”
“I don’t wear the mask for myself. I wear it for other people. I know a mask is weird and people still gawk and stare, but it’s better than the looks of horror and disgust that I get when people see me without it.”
“But I don’t look at you that way. You don’t have to wear the mask when you’re with me or around your own house. If people don’t like it they can leave.”
“Okay,” he agrees.
I don’t waste any time removing the mask from his face and tossing it onto the desk. Then I kiss every part of his face ending on his wonderful lips.
“We should let Luci know what’s been done,” I suggest. “I don’t think she’ll have to worry about those guys coming after her anytime soon.”
Alexander nods. “We will. But first there’s something I want to show you in the bedroom.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Really? What’s that?”
He gives me a sexy grin. “You’ll have to come with me to find out.”
***
When we enter Luci’s hospital room I’m not surprised to see that Van has the chair he’s sitting in moved up super close to Luci’s bed and he’s holding her hand while she’s sleeping.
When he sees us he startles and quickly removes his hand from hers, which wakes her. The two look at each other, clearly embarrassed. They shouldn’t be. I’m happy for them. And when I glance at Alexander, he’s trying hard to stifle a grin.
“How’s it going, Van?” Alexander asks.
He nearly flies from the chair and stands at attention. “Things are fine. It has been all clear. No issues to report.”
“Good. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about anyone coming after her again.”
Van looks a bit deflated for a moment. “She will not need me to guard her?”
Alexander shakes his head. “Nope.”
“I still need a guard,” Luci says quickly. “I’m still scared.”
She doesn’t appear to be afraid at all. I have a feeling she just wants Van to stay with her.
“I have something to show you.” Alexander removes his smart phone from his pocket and shows her some video footage from the bombing.
Her eyes go wide as she watches the explosion. “Is that the frat house?”
Alexander nods.
“Were they inside?” she asks.
“No.”
She deflates a bit. “Oh.”
“There are fates worse than death,” he assures her. “Like spending the next twenty years or so in prison for rape, which is where all of those guys are going.”
“All of them?”
Alexander nods. “All forty are going down. The cops have already arrested them.
“Good,” she says as she hands him back his cell phone.
“They’re no longer a threat,” Alexander says. “So Van’s work is done.”
When Luci and Van both look at each other almost panic stricken I can’t help but feel a little tug on my heartstrings. I give Alexander a little nudge and a do something look.
Alexander clears his throat to get their attention. “On second thought, maybe Van should stay and guard Luci until she gets out of the hospital.” He doesn’t even bother to give a reason. We all know it’s a sham so they can be together.
Van nods. “I am happy to do this work for you.”
“Good. I’ll negotiate the pay with our mutual friends.”
When I look over at Luci she’s actually smiling.
Coming Soon
UPCOMING BOOKS in THE NINES ROMANTIC SUSPENSE series:
Brooklyn Justice (Julio’s Story)
Blood Sings (Hector’s Story)
Bite Hard (Ash’s Story)
Big Empty (Ivan’s Story)
About the Author
USA TODAY Bestselling author Dakota Madison is known for writing New Adult and contemporary romance with a little spice and lots of heart. She likes to explore current social issues in her work. Dakota is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry. When she’s not at her computer creating spicy stories Dakota likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds at their home outside Phoenix, Arizona. Dakota also writes under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON and REN MONTERREY.
Where to Find Dakota & Sierra
Where to find DAKOTA...
Blog: http://karenmuellerbryson.tumblr.com/
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