Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
He didn’t like that, but he nodded. She locked up before letting Grady lead her out to the truck.
She blushed as she saw the booster seat in the front seat. “Really?”
“Safety first. Did you know there’s a good shop for Littles in Billings?” he asked as he lifted her into the booster and buckled her seatbelt.
“Did you buy out half the stuff in it?” she asked.
“Yes.”
He wasn’t even joking. Yikes.
Once they were both in the truck, Grady set off toward Pinkies.
“Right. What’s wrong?” He glanced over at her, his hands tight around the steering wheel.
She never felt unsafe with these guys while they were driving. They were always in control.
“I got a letter today.”
“Right.”
“A letter from a lawyer. I think . . . I think Brooks’ mom, well, her brother, he wants custody of Brooks.”
There was silence in the truck. “What. The. Fuck. Why would he think he’d get custody? Brooks is sixteen. It’s been years since Joe died.”
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But, uh, I called the lawyer and it seems they have some things they think will help them get custody.”
“Like what?”
“Like a neighbor who will attest that I’m seeing two men. At the same time.”
“Neighbor? What fucking . . . Roddy.”
“Roddy.” He’d moved out over the weekend, so she couldn’t even confront the bastard.
“Fucking weasel. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him. I’ll take care of it all.”
“Grady—”
“Little girl, you have two men now. Two men who have their own resources. We are going to take care of this.”
“You’ll take care of it?”
“I promise.” He glanced over at her just as she spotted someone speeding backward out of a driveway.
“Grady! Watch out!” she screamed.
A large hand landed on her chest seconds before the car slammed into them.
The sound of screeching metal filled the car. She slammed forward, although her face never hit the dashboard thanks to the hand holding her back.
She sat there as they came to a stop, just trying to breathe.
She turned her head, wincing as pain shot through her entire body. “Ouch.”
Grady stared at her, his face filled with fear. What was wrong? Was he hurt? She’d never seen him look like that. His mouth kept moving, but she couldn’t hear what he was saying.
Why couldn’t she hear anything?
Then Grady cupped her chin with his hand. The warmth of his skin hit hers. Suddenly, it was like her ears popped.
“Are you all right? Sweetheart, are you okay?”
“I t-think so.”
“You think so?” Alarm took over the worry. “Are you hurt?”
“I . . . I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure?”
Not really. But the look on his face told her that she really better be.
“Fuck. Fuck. I have to call Steele.”
Okay, she really, really didn’t think that was a good idea.
“Not a good idea.”
His gaze shot to hers. “Believe me, he hears this from someone else, he won’t be happy. Where’s my phone? Fuck, he’s going to lose it when he learns we were in a car accident.”
Car accident.
They’d just been in a car accident.
Like Joe. They’d been in an accident. Grady could have died.
“Grady? Grady!”
“What is it?” He turned to her. He had his phone in his hand, but he’d been staring out the front window. “What the fuck is that bitch’s problem?”
Grady’s words tore through her panic for a moment and she glanced out the window to see the driver of the car that had smashed into them was now standing and looking at the damage. Her mouth was moving. And she was gesturing at them rudely.
“Steele? It’s me. Just letting you know, we’ve been in a car accident. We’re both fine. I’m dropping you a pin.” Grady ended the call.
Car. Accident.
“Got his voicemail,” he said.
“G-Grady.”
“Give me two seconds, sweetheart,” he murmured as he fiddled with his phone.
“Grady. My legs. I c-can’t feel my legs.” She started hitting them. Why couldn’t she feel them? Panic flooded her. “Grady! I can’t feel my legs.”
Alarm filled her. Panic had her breath coming in sharp pants.
“Sweetheart, it’s all right. It’s okay. Look at me. No, stop that.” He grabbed her hands, holding them in his. “Look at me.”
A sob broke free from her. “Are you going to die?”
Shock had his eyes widening as he gaped at her. “Sweetheart, I’m fine.”
“Don’t die. Please . . . please . . .”
“Okay, Little one. Listen to me. I’m going to get out of the car and come around to check on you. Just keep it together for me for a little longer, all right?”
Keep what together?
Her sanity? She was pretty sure she’d lost that a long time ago.
“Just breathe and do not hurt yourself, understand me?”
She shook her head and the world spun. She didn’t understand. “You shouldn’t move. You might be hurt. Don’t leave. Don’t leave me.”
“Little girl,” he growled. “Listen to me. I am not leaving you. I will never leave you.”