Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
She stopped there and pulled at her skirt hem. Sure sign of guilt or some shit. “And?”
“And, I kinda said how it was lucky she didn’t come over last night because we were busy at the kitchen table.” I didn’t laugh, but I could imagine ma’s reaction and her face.
“And what did she say?”
“That’s when she smacked me across the face. I wanted to hit her back, but I didn’t want to make you mad so I tried to get away from her. That’s when she tore my shirt and saw the marks. I didn’t bother hiding them because I didn’t think anyone would see under there, except you.”
“Damn straight and nobody else better not either. Come ‘ere baby.” I pulled her up from the chair and rocked her in my arms.
“You feeling better now?”
“Uh huh. But do I still have to stay in here all day? Why can’t I go outside? I won’t go out the gate I promise.”
“I know you won’t babe, the shit’s locked.”
I also knew that Sanchez wasn’t coming anywhere near here unless he was tired of living.
“Okay, you can leave the office but if anything happens come find me, I have to go work.”
“Can I come with you?”
“Nah I don’t want you in there with all those dicks.” She grinned and threw her arms around my neck.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Ma had left but not before making sure her posse wasn’t going to be anything but nasty to my girl. After my warning they didn’t say anything nasty to her, but they didn’t say anything to her period. I felt bad but I couldn’t force them to talk to her.
After tonight, I should be able to eliminate the threat and she could maybe get with some of her own friends and not feel so lonely all the time. I couldn’t spend every second of the day with her, and she was already chafing at the restrictions I’d placed on her movements.
“Sheriff, I need a solid.” I’ve never called him other than sheriff even though he’d been married to ma for over twenty years.
“What you need son?”
“I need you to watch Chloe for me tonight.” I had no doubt that ma had told him all about my houseguest and she’d probably bitched to him about me sending her home earlier and why.
“Oh boy, your ma’s not gonna like that.”
“You’re not taking her home. Take her to the station house and keep an eye on her. And don’t let any of those assholes you have down there go sniffing around here or I’ll blow that shit up.”
“So it’s like that is it?”
“Save it for later. Right now I need to make sure she’s going to be safe while I go on this run.”
“Your mother better not ever hear about this. Your little charge is persona non grata.”
“I hear you, just keep her safe. I owe you one.” I hung up and made one last call. “We’re on for tonight.”
“Sweet.” I hung up and went to find my boys. “We’ve got a meet for tonight. Tell the others. I want everyone there just leave Dex and Chet on the gate, they can hold down the fort. I don’t expect any trouble so we should be fine there. I need to take Chloe to the sheriff for safe keeping you three are with me. No one else is to know where she is.”
“You expect them to storm the station boss? She’ll be fine.” I just gave Damon the look that said he was fuck stupid and kept it moving. “Go do what I told you and meet me back here. The meet’s in two hours.”
I left them and went to get her. After the cold reception she’d slinked back to the office to hide. Poor baby, I’ll make it up to her.
“Babe, I have something to do tonight. I’m taking you to the sheriff until I’m done.” She bitched but that was to be expected. She only had two modes. Bitch mode and sex kitten.
I dropped her off with some very strict instructions once we got into the sheriff’s inner office. “You stay in here in this chair until I get back. You don’t go through that door for any reason. If you have to use the restroom tell him, make sure he walks you there. You don’t let her out of your sight.”
“What if I have to go out on a call, hotshot?”
“Fuck, sheriff, everybody knows you spend your evenings playing candy crush. Anything happens to her, I’ll make ma look like Mother Teresa.”
“Damn son that’s harsh.”
“Give us a minute sheriff.” I waited ‘til he left and closed the door behind him. “Stop pouting baby I won’t be long.”
“You’re always locking me in somewhere.”
“It won’t be for long. Maybe tomorrow or the next day you can call those friends of yours for a play date.” She plastered my face with kisses. It was the first time I’d seen her smile and laugh like that. She looked so fucking young, so innocent. I felt a strange clutch in my heart and ran my hand over her hair.