Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“You teased me with your virginity long enough. I put in the time. I had to have you by any means necessary. You were mine. Are mine. Mine and no other man is going to change that.” I somehow manage to keep my shit together when he trains his gun on me. My life flashes before my eyes and all I see is Fletcher and the life we’ll make together. Us surrounded by our children and grandchildren when we’re old and gray. It’s all I want. I have to make it out of this. I am about to make a move when a shot rings out in the tiny room. A warm spray of blood hits me, and it takes me a minute to realize I wasn’t hit.
I look uo and my eyes connect with a man I don’t recognize, but right behind him is Fletcher and he looks like he’s lost some years of his life. I look down at Gary’s lifeless body and breathe a sigh of relief. It might be wrong of me, but I’m glad he’s dead. He can’t hurt me or anyone else anymore.
The breath of relief that leaves my body has me sagging to the floor. The tears that wouldn’t come before fall freely now. I stay that way until I run to Fletcher.
Chapter Sixteen
Fletcher
Tobias is in a mood when I walk into the Saloon. What else is new? “Tobias.” He grunts at me and walks up to the bar.
“What do you need?” I rattle off the order and then Carter gives him his.
“What’s got your boxer in a fit?” Carter asks, grabbing a handful of peanuts.
“Nothing.” he says before mumbling something about there being too many women in this town. I can’t help but chuckle because he was one of the ones vehemently against the mail order situation.
“It is what the town needs, Conrad. We needed to bring it back to life.”
“Yeah okay. There was plenty of life here. Testosterone was good for me.” Carter laughs and shakes his head.
“Grumpy asshole. This is probably why Lloyd hasn’t matched you. It would take a special kind of woman to tame your ass.” He walks away to go check on the food. Carter turns to me.
“It seems that you and Florence are doing well.” Nodding, I grab some nuts and look at the TV.
“We are. Better than well.”
“I am happy for you, friend.”
“Thank you. Have you heard from Lloyd?”
‘Nope. seems like it is not my time.”
“Well when it is, you will be a great husband.” It is true. He has such patience with a gentle demeanor. Well that is what the patients say anyway.
“Here.” Tobias drops our bags on the counter. We pay him and laugh our way out of the place.
We are halfway to the office when I see Axel and Diezal in front of the office blocking it off with police cars. “What the fuck?” I take off running and try to pass the barricade.
“No, Fletcher. You can’t go in.”
“What the hell is going on?” Axel hangs his head before looking at me with regret in his eyes.
“He slipped past us. He had on a disguise as a woman and slipped right past us.” I know he is not saying what I think he is..
“And?”
“He is inside with her, holding her at gunpoint.” God my knees giveaway for a second while my gut turns. My heart is wailing, and my eyes are following suit with tears. Dear Lord, please don’t take her from me. Not now.
“Why the hell are you two out here?”
“We are out here in case he makes a run for it. We have officers stationed at the back. The Colonel is going in.”
“Why the hell can’t I go in? That is my wife in there. Fuck this!” I move to breach the barrier when Axel stops me again.
“If you go in, it might set him off and he could shoot her.” Then he mentions she could be hurt, I force myself to stop being an ass.
“Fine. But she better come out of there unharmed.” Diezal nods his head and I begin pacing.
I have no idea how long we are out there waiting. It feels like hours but I am sure it is mere minutes when a gunshot rings out and my world ceases to exist. Everything in me dies as I picture her lying on the floor bleeding calling for me.
No fucks given, I blow past the twins and into the office, the air leaving my lungs preparing for the worst when I smell her sweet scent and watch her run to me with her arms open. “Oh God.” She says crying onto my shoulder. “I was so scared. He was crazy. I tried to talk to him but he wouldn’t listen. I thought I was never going to see you again.” She is now sobbing into my shirt, soaking it with her tears and saliva and I couldn't be more grateful.