Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
He nodded—a sharp jerk of the head.
“But if the sheriff isn’t out chasing her killer, where is he?”
“We’ve established that I don’t know everything that guy gets up to. He prefers to do his drinking alone here where gossip won’t spread, but he could’ve hit up a bar. I’m going out to look, and taking you to Paris.”
“No, I’m going with you,” I said before he finished the sentence. “Why should we split up?”
In a blink, he was in my face. “Because I want rid of you, but I also want you right where I can find you. You’re going to Paris. Stop wasting my time arguing.”
Cairo marched to the door, expecting me to follow. I did. I was going everywhere he went whether he liked it or not. Let him drive to Paris’s place, unless he planned to carry me inside, I wasn’t getting out of the car. I would be there when he spoke to his father. I was getting the truth—all of it. Tonight.
Cairo yanked on the knob, stepping aside to let me through first. I froze, eyes widening.
“Cairo.” My lips went numb. “Cairo... look.”
Frowning, he followed my gaze to the welcome mat, and the single black letter lying upon it.
He stilled.
A minute passed.
Two.
Three.
I took a step. Then another.
Cairo didn’t move or stop me. Bending down, I picked up the letter and cracked the seal.
Cairo Sharpe,
Apologies for our associate. She went rogue and forgot our true purpose. For that, she had to go.
We are now under new management. Mine.
We do not wish the Bedlam Boys dead. You serve too important a function, fighting Steven Ellis and his plans out in the open while we’re confined to the shadows. As long as you continue serving that purpose and give up any attempts to find us, you, your friends, your girlfriend, and your father get to live.
Of course, the Bedlam Boys are used to doing what they want, whenever they want. Taking orders is hard for you, so as an incentive to stay in line, we’re hanging on to your father until our joint goal is complete, and Steven Ellis is gone for good.
It’s for the best. For us to do what we do and assist in the fight, we need a sheriff whose loyalty is without question.
Bedlam will not be had by the descendant of a coward who abandoned the fight. We’ve stayed right here, bleeding and sacrificing for the legacy that is our birthright. Bedlam will be ours.
So get to work.
Signed,
Dante
Cairo didn’t say a word as I read. He still wasn’t moving.
“Dante,” I repeated, lips twisting. “He is one of them, and he took your father.” I reached for him. “Cairo, say something.”
Nothing.
I read the letter again, then again. “We need a sheriff whose loyalty is without question. He didn’t bother to sugarcoat. Davidson—the evil, corrupt piece of shit—will be put in charge.” I paused for Cairo’s reaction. He gazed at the mat like the letter was still there. “I... I don’t even want to think about what this means. Even if we report your father’s disappearance, he’ll make sure the investigation goes nowhere. And as for everything else these guys plan to do...”
I stared at him. “Cairo? Cairo, say something.”
“Okay.”
It took me a moment to realize the word came from him. His lips barely moved.
“Okay? Okay, what?”
“Okay,” he repeated, finally turning to me. Finally letting me see his eyes.
I lurched back.
“They want a war.” Cairo snatched the letter. “They’ve got one.”
Chapter Two
Cairo did drive me to Paris’s place. And he did lift me bodily out of the car and carry me thrashing to the gate where Paris yawned on the other side.
My argument that he needed help with the search for his father fell on uncaring ears. My comment that none of us should be out alone right then earned a laugh. In the end, I fought him a fraction less hard than I wanted to. He lost Rainey and his father in the span of two days. Some space wasn’t an unreasonable request. As long as he accepted at some point while we were apart... that he was mine.
“Are you okay?”
I shook myself, returning to reality and the breakfast tray Paris carried inside.
“You’ve been quiet all morning.”
“I’m fine.” I gazed down at the scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and sliced avocado. Tears pricked behind my lids.
These were all Rainey’s favorites. Gran’s breakfast plates for me had fried eggs, fried bacon, and no green in sight.
We’ve always been so different, baby sister. That didn’t stop you from being my best friend. Of course my mind went so far to hold on to you. I couldn’t stand for everything you were and everything you loved to disappear with you.
“Rainey?” Paris asked, making me flinch. “What’s up? You’re not hungry?”
My lips parted, and common sense grabbed hold of my tongue.