Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. It’s sleeping through this racket.”
“It has to be Hallie.” My heart picks up speed, and my neck prickles. We’re so close to Skye’s stolen child. So close but so far away at the same time.
This is Carter’s playground. We’re not going to get away with making any moves here. We’ll have to find another way to separate that sweet child from this fucked up environment.
“Can you get a picture?” I ask Finn.
“Maybe.” He waits until the barwoman is further down the bar, and he follows her to order two more beers. While she’s pulling them from the freezer, he holds his phone up, pretending to look at something, using his fingers to mimic swiping as he takes a cover picture. I have no idea if it will be good enough for Skye to see her daughter, but at least he tried.
The second beer slides down as easily as the first. It’s been a long and hard week, and I’m grateful for the alcohol and the way it takes the edge off my unease.
“I got some pictures. Shall I send them to Jack now?”
“Do it in the car,” I instruct.
Finn nods, shoving his phone into his front pocket. “There are too many people here. Too many obstacles to getting her out.” He sounds more like he’s trying to convince himself than me. Is he seriously contemplating kidnapping a child in a bar filled with Carter’s minions? That is not going to happen, as much as we’d love to make Skye’s wish come true.
“There will be another time and place.”
“I hope so.”
We both watch the black dress woman drape herself all over another young man. She’s a cougar, all right.
“This place really is a shithole, isn’t it?” I rest my empty bottle down on the bar and wipe the condensation that has dampened my palm on my jeans.
“Sure is.”
“Shall we get out of here?”
“Definitely.”
I lead the way, checking that Finn is following. I’m bumped by the leather skirt woman who’s drunk and staggering toward the ladies room. She gives me a funny look and then carries on.
There’s a large group of shaven-headed men by the exit, arguing about something. It’s good that we’re leaving before anything happens. I squeeze past and draw the cool night air into my lungs, craving the clean alpine scent of my forest.
“Did you get what you came for?” the bouncer asks.
“The beer was good. The pussy, not so much.”
He laughs in a raspy way that probably comes from smoking too much. “Told you.”
“You did.”
When Finn and I are safely in the car and on our way home, I breathe a sigh of relief. This is only the beginning, but at least we know there’s a chance to make things right for Skye.
It won’t be easy, but we’ll do our best.
16
JACK
DEMONS FROM THE PAST
With West and Finn gone, I’m on edge. Carter Reynolds is a dangerous man with no limits. People have gone missing and had their lives smashed to pieces by him for pettier reasons than Skye's involvement.
It has been years since I last heard his name, and the fact that he’s still a player on the scene can only mean that his empire has grown in size and strength. Or his protection racket has.
I hate that I have to be the one who stays with Skye tonight. I want to be out there, investigating, protecting, and taking control. It was my job before Bill fucked it all up.
Despite my insomnia being at its worst this past few weeks, I’m wired and struggle to sit still. I pace the porch, irritating myself with my restlessness. The heat from the fire in the cabin felt stifling, and the stale smell of leftover dinner lingered in the air despite Skye cleaning up after we ate.
I had to get out of there.
Tonight, there is no moon. Stars and distant galaxies twinkle instead, reminding me of how small and insignificant we all are. Troubles linger on the horizon. Troubles that feel huge.
I rest against the railing and close my eyes.
Skye headed to the studio after Finn and West set off on their mission. She didn't want to sit in the cabin, waiting for their return. She needed to keep herself occupied, which is something I understand. As much as I’m curious about what she’s doing over there, it suits me to languish in my solitude. At least from here, I can make sure she’s safe.
The recent wind has died away, and this evening is still. The only sound I hear is my ragged breath as I shudder against the dropping temperature. The thought of smashing up some wood passes through my mind, but I also have to keep an eye on the studio and the cabin after Ethan's latest visit. Although he’s a pathetic weasel, I doubt that Skye could do much to protect herself if she found herself alone with him.