Page 165 of Perfect Pitch

“No, but she would have if you hadn’t been right there.”

Cold surges through me. “We’ve got to get this bitch, Kane.”

Kane’s eyes are trained on the way the chef fixates on Paige. “Yes. We do.

I take another drink of water. “I have one idea.”

He pauses the video. “Oh?”

“She’s willing to do anything to get to Beckett,” I lead with.

“We know that,” he snaps impatiently.

“Or anyone.” I can practically see the wheels turning in his head. “What if we give her a more available target?”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“It’s just an idea.”

His head twists just in time to see the dessert chef expertly sharpen her blades back and forth with ease. “Unfortunately, it might be the only one before someone gets hurt.”

* * *

As the sun comes up, I clock mile five on the treadmill. A million thoughts race through my mind. They should be about Beckett and amping up his protection, but they’re not.

They’re about Austyn, completely about her.

All I can think about is everything we’ve done, everything we’ve become to one another.

She’s everything to me—the very beat of my heart.

I vow, “I won’t let her get hurt. I won’t let her suffer.”

Increasing the speed, I run faster.

Somehow I have to convince a psychopath that I’m not vulnerable to the woman who owns my heart. If I don’t, there’s a possibility of too many people being hurt.

And I’m one of them.

When I’m done, my phone vibrates. I snatch it up and read,

Austyn:

Have to talk when you get back. Nothing bad. Love you.

I don’t respond.

I will the minute I know she’s safe.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE

Although some people wear scars with pride, others may feel the need to hide behind those marks. It truly is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re someone who wants to cover their scars, getting a tattoo is one way to possibly cover the area. However, the process isn’t as simple as you think.

—Moore You Want

“Hello, darling.”

Wearing a velvet paisley smocked minidress with a keyhole back that I’ve paired with torn nylons and cowboy boots, you’d never know I was four months pregnant—at least according to the OB-GYN Alison Freeman referred me to yesterday when I called her for suggestions.

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