Page 53 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
“Oh, that’s always the best with piping hot doughnuts.”
I smiled. “You’re not hurting for modern amenities out here, too. I mean, there’s no cable or internet. But you are going to have phone service and Link’s already hooked up a video game system.”
“Video games?”
“You can also watch movies on it. I’m preparing to stock you up with the good ones I know are your favorites.”
Her eyes lit up. “Like Beauty and the Beast?”
I nodded. “And the remake. Also, every Jumanji movie and remake out there.”
She gasped. “Can we get the Marvel series, too!? I’ve missed so many movies and I love them so much.”
I grinned. “You just want to watch Loki, don’t you?”
“Hey, my downfall is always going to be a nice bad boy.”
“He has to be nice to you, though. That’s the key.”
She nodded. “Well, when I find one of those that isn’t Link, I’ll let you know.”
I shot her a playful glare. “Yeah. Since he’s off limits.”
Link’s voice sounded in the hallway. “Sounds like you two are having a lot of fun back here.”
Hope and I turned to face the doorway as his massive form appeared.
“Got the gaming system hooked up. Bowser’s bringing over some games, but I think that’ll be more for the guys’ entertainment than anything else,” he said.
Hope paused. “I’m pretty sure they should be more focused on my protection than video games.”
Link chuckled. “You don’t know Bowser. It’s mostly for him. He actually can’t concentrate without his hands being occupied with something. ADHD, and all that.”
I licked my lips. “Wait. Can you play games without Wifi out here?”
Link snickered. “My men will create a hotspot in a moment in order to use that thing if it’s necessary. You don’t have to worry about them.”
Hope held up her finger. “And yet again, I iterate that this isn’t a time to be playing video games.”
Link nodded. “And you have my word that they won’t be played unless it’s absolutely necessary. Or unless this place is completely locked down and there’s no chance of someone getting to you.”
I looked over at Hope and studied her face. And when she nodded, I knew we were in the clear.
“Okay. I can understand that. I mean, I fidget with my hands to help me with anxiety. So, I’m sure that’s not much different. And I wouldn't want your guys to be on edge or anything,” she said.
Link nodded. “I’ve also got some movies already stocked. A few romantic comedies, a few action movies. A couple of Joanna’s favorites.”
I lifted my hand. “And I’ll bring more.”
Hope drew in a quick breath. “The rest of my stuff is going to be here soon, right?”
I heard a voice out in the hallway. “Just waiting for you guys to stop talking so we can bring it in!”
The three of us laughed as Link stepped off to the side. One by one, guys filed into the room. Dropping a bag and taking a good look at Hope. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. I didn’t want her to feel as if she were on display. But I didn’t like the way some of the guys looked at her.
Including one of them that I was pretty sure had “V.P.” stamped across the front of his jacket.
“Why are they staring?” Hope whispered.
I leaned into her ear. “Because they haven’t seen you yet. Can’t protect you if they don’t know what you look like. It’s okay. I’m right here.”
I eyed the V.P. man hotly before he finally tore his gaze away from her. I didn’t like that. Not one bit. But Link had given me his word that none of these guys would touch my sister. Not like that, anyway. And I trusted Link. I trusted his judgment with his guys. So, I took to reassuring Hope while shooting them all piercing glances.
Just in case one of them decided to get funny with her.
“All right. That was everything on the list,” Link said.
Hope sniffled. “Thank you guys so much. Really.”
Link nodded. “You picked a good room here, too. It’s centrally located. No windows, so there’s no threat there. Tactically, it’s the perfect spot in this entire place.”
Hope nodded. “It’s why I chose it.”
“Oh, here. Before I forget.”
I watched Link reach around his body and remove a gun from behind him. He handed it to Hope as I stepped off to the side, and I watched her work that thing like a professional. She ejected the magazine and counted the bullets inside of it. She popped the chambered bullet out of the top of the gun before shoving it back into the magazine. She turned it around, studying it with her own eyes. And as Link laid multiple magazines down against her mattress, she popped the one in her hand back into the gun.
“I appreciate this. Thank you so much,” Hope said.
