Page 76 of Tangled in Vows

“I might take you up on that offer once my schedule gets better.”

So now we’re openly flirting? Making plans to go on vacation together?

“Consider yourself whisked away.”

Ugh. This man.

Someone calls him, and he sighs. “Duty calls.” He points to one of my suitcases. “They’re ready to go?”

“Yup.”

He grabs two of my suitcases and heads out with them, while I walk around again to ensure I didn’t forget anything important.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re back in the car and ready to head out, with two large drinks sitting in the cupholders.

Holden must notice my stare and says, “I had one of the guys pick up a couple for us for the ride home.”

My response seems to take too long, and he adds, “It’s a caramel macchiato. Was that the wrong one?”

I shake myself out of my stupor and pick up the warm cup. “No, sorry. That’s my favorite. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

On the outside, I sip my drink as if Holden didn’t just do this super-thoughtful thing. On the inside, I’m giggling and kicking my feet.

I’m so ridiculously screwed.

The city streets turn into freeways and then into more quiet roads.

The sound of screeching tires is the only warning that everything is about to go to shit.

Chapter 24

Holden

Day 869 without you: The worst part of being away from you is knowing you think I chose to leave you.

We’re on a quieter main road, only a few miles away from home, when a blacked-out SUV shoots out of a side street. The distinct sound ofpop, pop, popcuts through the air a split second before I hear the impact on my driver-side door and window.

“Fuck. Hurricane, get down.”

Olivia screeches next to me, and warm coffee flies around the cab as I swerve to the right, trying to avoid crashing into Maverick and Beck, who have hit their brakes.

Not ideal in this situation, but reflexes are a bitch to control sometimes.

“Shit, sorry.” I glance at Olivia’s frozen form and bark again, “Get down. Head between your knees. Now.”

I adjust my speed to the SUV before us, which has picked up its speed again. “We’re okay, Hurricane. Nothing will happen. The SUVs are bulletproof, but please stay out of sight anyway.” I try to soften my voice for her but don’t dare take my eyes off the road or my death grip on the steering wheel. Although, the need to touch Olivia to reassure her physically is almost too overwhelming.

We’ve personally tested how effective our vehicles are, but even my reflexes want me to be erratic and dodge the bullets. My heart beats so wildly behind my ribs that it’s almost painful, but I try to ignore it as best as possible. My body is on high alert, tense from top to bottom.

Move. Do something. Whatever it takes to keep her safe.

The urge to swerve to the side is strong. But landing in a ditch right now would ironically be much worse than getting shot at.

Maybe if I was alone and knew what I was up against, I could be reckless and lure the assholes out that way.

But I have precious cargo with me.

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