Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Harrison slapped him on the shoulder. Asher did too.
Once they were gone, Remy slid into an empty seat. After leaning back, he ran a hand through his brown hair.
“Where’d you come from?” Zach asked.
“I’ve been here. Just didn’t want to interrupt your boys night.”
He shook his head. “You’re always welcome.”
Remy lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I have enough siblings of my own. I get needing brother time.”
Remy also had three brothers and a sister, not to mention a tragic family story. But like the Dares, the Sterlings were close.
“Hi, Boss One and Boss Two.” Raven strode over. She was dressed in black jeans and a tank top with The Back Door logo on the front. Her light brown hair had been pulled into a bun and she wore heavy makeup for her shift. “Another drink or food for either of you?”
Before Zach could ask for another drink, this despite the fact that he was beginning to feel the buzz, Remy rose to his feet.
“And who would I be?” he asked her.
She smirked. “Boss Two, of course. Zach’s the Big Boss.”
Remy rolled his eyes. “We’re equal partners,” he reminded her.
“Aww, do you have an inferiority complex?” she asked, patting him on the shoulder. “I’ll have to think of another name for you.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
Zach chuckled. They both knew whatever she came up with would only make him feel worse. On purpose. Those two had a love-hate relationship that everyone around them felt. In other words, the sexual tension was high.
“Still no food for me.” He debated another drink and decided against it. Nothing would make him feel better.
“I’m good. Thanks, Raven.” Remy winked and retook his seat.
Zach shook his head. “She’s going to sue you for sexual harassment one day.” He wasn’t really worried. The heat was mutual.
Remy shrugged. “One day she’ll realize she likes me. But let’s talk about you. It’s been a week since Hadley left and you’re miserable.”
“I already heard it from my brothers.”
“Then do something about it!” He leaned back in his seat, but Zach felt his friend’s frustration. “Hadley has had to handle everything herself for most of her life. She’s all but Dani’s mother. She thinks she needs to be independent because it’s all she knows. I sense she’s afraid not to be independent because she keeps losing people.”
Zach ran his hand through his hair, his own irritation showing through. “I tried to show her she could lean on me,” he muttered.
Remy smacked him on the side of his head. “And from what you told me, instead of pushing her hard to stay, you easily let her go. If you ask me, she needs you to do just the opposite. Fight for her. Unless you changed your mind about her?”
“Fuck no! I thought I was doing the right thing, giving her what she said she needed.” Had he been wrong? “So much time had passed, I was getting to know her again. I screwed up.”
Remy nodded. “But you can still make it right.”
Rising to his feet, Zach glanced at his best friend and partner. “How come you can figure out my love life but not your own?”
Remy let out a low chuckle, but it wasn’t one of amusement. “Did you ever try getting past Raven’s walls?”
Grabbing Remy’s shoulder, Zach met his gaze. “Persistence pays off and I know you. You’re nothing if not persistent.”
“Good luck,” Remy said.
“Back at you.” Now that Zach knew what to do, he needed to figure out how to accomplish his goal. He didn’t want to spend another night without Hadley and Dani with him, where they belonged.
Chapter Nineteen
Hadley disconnected the call with the realtor who was gearing up to put a For Sale sign on the lawn soon. By the grace of God, her father owned the house free and clear. No mortgage. He hadn’t put it up as collateral for any of his dirty dealings and he’d signed the deed over to Hadley. Not in person. He still refused visitation and she wouldn’t ask again.
He’d also relinquished permanent custody of Dani. A judge needed to approve her status, but Zach’s lawyer—who was in constant contact—had assured her that with both Dani’s parents in prison, Hadley, as Dani’s blood relative and pseudo-parent for most of her life, would be granted permanent guardianship.
As for the house, Hadley ended up hiring a junk hauling service to get rid of the broken furniture and other damaged items. Most of their possessions had been destroyed but she couldn’t bring herself to care about things. Not when a short week ago, she thought she might lose her sister.
Dani’s anger at her parents needed to be dealt with, as did the kidnapping after effects. She was healthy, mostly happy, and had agreed to talk to a therapist once they were settled in New York.