Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
I nod knowing this is the beginning of getting this shit done. I don’t want to do it, but I wasn’t lying. We know the BMRR’s have some big money backing them. This will be the best play to see who that is and make sure it’s only Apex who has a hard-on for Ford. Once everything is figured out, we can cut the head off the snake. “I better get going then.”
“T will kick both our asses when he figures out that he’s been played. I don’t like doing it this way. Maybe we should tell him. There’s still time to bring him in on this.”
“No. It needs to look real, and Thomas will hold back because of our history if he knows,” I argue.
“You need to level with him and let him know who you are,” Ford advises. I know he’s right. We’re not that far apart in ages really, but he’s probably the closest thing I’ve ever known to a father. I appreciate the bastard more than he knows.
“I plan on it,” I admit, although until this moment when I utter the words out loud, I don’t think I did. I’ve always been of the strong opinion that secrets need to stay buried. The truth is, I like T enough that I don’t like keeping him in the dark. I hate lying to him. “Now is not the time to come clean, though,” I respond—talking more to myself than Ford.
“Then get your ass out there and start spreading chaos.”
I can’t help but laugh. If only it were that simple. “That sounds a hell of a lot more fun than this is going to be,” I answer as I get up. Ford nods as the room suddenly fills with tension. It’s coming off the two of us in waves.
We’re both dreading what’s coming next.
Chapter 11
Shelby
It’s such a beautiful day that it seems like the walls are closing in on me at the hospital. My job can be hard on the best of days, there are times when it overwhelms me completely though. Today is somewhere in the middle. It’s been bad enough that I’m walking a couple blocks over to the park on Main Street. There’s a food truck set up there that has the best tacos and homemade Pico De Gallo. I volunteered to pick up lunch for me and the other nurses working the ICU with me today. Normally we eat in the cafeteria because it’s easier—and quicker. That gets old really fast. Cafeteria food starts to only have one flavor.
I wait through a large line, but when I grab four street taco combos that come with refried beans and rice, it was worth it. I also got us all Mexican street corn with butter and mayo in a cup topped with crumbled cheese. It smells so good my belly rumbles.
When I turn to head back with the food, I hear the racking sound of motorcycle pipes. My first thought is one of fear. I look around expecting to see Mason. When my gaze moves across the street and see King, I breathe a sigh of relief. Joy immediately blooms inside of me. I’ve missed him. I didn’t really want him to leave after our date, but I know it’s for the best that he did.
I wonder if he was coming to the hospital to see me. That thought warms me. Maybe he’s been missing me as much as I have him. I start walking toward him. Tacos and seeing him. This day is looking up for sure.
As I get closer, I notice he’s talking with another man. He’s not as tall as King and his dark skin has more of a golden tone to it. They are both muscular, but the man is slimmer than King. They seem very different, but that’s not what stands out. It’s the dangerous energy emanating off them. It weighs the air. Even from here I can sense the tension. The stances they both take as they face each other is warning enough that this isn’t a friendly chat. As I get closer, I slow down. I can hear their conversation. I don’t want to intrude so I stop when I’m right across from King, but all his attention is focused on the man in front of him.
“Wh-why you been avoiding me, K-King?” the man asks.
“We have nothing to say to each other, T,” King says, dismissively. The angry look on his face seems misplaced. The King I’ve spent time with has laughed easily
“Th-that’s not true and you know it. You’ve been av-v-v-voiding me since Tasmin’s birth.”
Something about the man with King is familiar. The way he looks… the stutter… Thomas West! He was a patient at the hospital when I met King. The animosity between them now makes zero sense. King was extremely worried about Thomas. He went so far as to go against doctor’s orders and give more blood than was medically recommended to help. King and the other man shared a very rare blood type.