Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
“Well, you answered my question.” Although taking his word for it isn’t good enough for me.
“Trust me. I watch. Just because it didn’t appear that I noticed you two doesn’t mean I didn’t know. She’s old enough to make her own decisions, and she’s not the type to go after rich guys so I figured there was something between you two.”
Already knowing what’s coming, I say, “Thank you, Anthony.”
“Call me Blade. No one calls me Anthony.” I laugh at his grumble. The asshole should have told me about his sister working in a bar.
“Okay. Thanks, Blade. Now, take care of my woman and get her to quit the fucking bar. I don’t want sick bastards around her.”
It’s this asshole’s turn to let out a chuckle. “Ha. You can tell her that when you come to get her.”
“I fucking will.” Tomorrow is my last PT session, which took longer to get it done because my other injuries took precedence including the damn skull fracture, but I’m coming for her in two days.
I wake up covered in sweat, angry and scared. Someone tried to take my Roxanne from me. She left to be with someone else. I can’t do this anymore. I have to see her. Since I’m not sure who to trust, I book a commercial flight with one of the hotel gift cards, making a note to reimburse it when I get back. Then, I grab my normal cell phone and send a text to Gavin reminding him about our dinner plans.
Taking out the phone Blade sent me last week, I forward all my calls to it. The phone is untraceable and perfect just for this trip. After stashing my old phone inside my safe, I grab the ring inside there and seal it. Five minutes later, I rush out of the hotel with the clothes on my back. I’m in such a hurry that I almost forget my cane. I don’t need it all the time, but it does help when I get tired.
The flight is brutal on my broken body. Fuck, my bones ache as I arrive in Dallas. I stretch while waiting for everyone else to get off. Popping a couple of OTC painkillers, I walk through the expansive airport. I’m halfway there when one of the employees on a golf cart asks if I need a lift. “Thank you. You have no idea what a lifesaver you are.”
“No problem, sir. Where can I drop you off at?”
“The car rental area, please.”
“That’s all you have with you?”
I nod. I look at his name tag and make sure to address him by it. He’s doing me a huge favor. “Yes, Phil. It’s an impromptu trip.” We make the short trip by vehicle to the rental place. He stops as close as possible to let me out.
“Well, I wish you luck.” He tips his hat and shakes my hand.
“Thank you, Phil.” I pull out my wallet to tip him, but he waves it off and leaves me there. It takes about twenty minutes to get a rental, but once it’s all good to go, they bring the car around for me. It’s been so long since I’ve taken a commercial flight, so the hospitality has been wonderful.
I map the drive with the built-in GPS on the car. I have to see my woman, and no one is going to stop me. It takes almost an hour to get there, but I pull up to the bar called Panhandles. It’s the only one in Steeleville, according to Google. My phone buzzes on the passenger seat. I pull it up to see that it’s Magnus. Shit. I hope there’s no problem at the hotel. He’s supposed to be able to handle it. “Boss. You disappeared. You’re not at your mother’s house.” How the fuck did he know that? “Why are you in Steeleville?” What the hell?
“I’ve only been gone four hours,” I inform him—the length of time it took for me to get to the airport and to the bar without stopping for a break. As far as they were all concerned, I was headed for a trip to my mother’s house for the day. Something’s not adding up.
“It’s not safe. You’re still recovering,” he complains.
“I know, but my girl’s not safe either. Someone’s after her, and it’s someone in Steeleville,” I tell him, lying to see what he knows.
“I insist that I come down to meet you.”
“No. You’re supposed to be in charge while I’m gone. Besides, I don’t want any suspicion raised when I take the bastard out.”
“Okay.” Just okay? He hasn’t even asked me who it is. Fuck, please tell me it’s not him. We’ve known each other way too long.
“Wait. How did you know I was down here?” I can’t stop myself from asking.
“Gavin told me before leaving for a meeting with Enrico Gennaro.” A lie. My heart sinks, but at least I have my answer. After all these years.