Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“And if they decide he needs to be here?” Ian asked. “Does he have to stay?”
“Then it’s up to his next of kin or whoever has power of attorney to decide what to do for him.”
Great. Which must be her mother.
“Thank you.” She knew the woman could get into trouble for telling her that.
“You’ll need to leave now. Sorry.”
They stepped out of the building and Ian drew her against him, holding her tight. “I’m sorry, Little Misfit.”
“Hopefully, he calls me soon.” She sighed and leaned into Ian’s chest. “I need to go see Indie.”
Maggie stepped out of the hospital room, looking exhausted and run-down. They’d let her go in alone for some girl time. Ian was calling his brothers while Jameson went in search of a good cuppa.
Jack took her into his arms. “You know what we need?”
“What?” she asked.
“Some fun. We could go find an arcade. Or I know of this huge indoor play area for Littles.”
“I’d really like that. But . . . ”
Jack pushed her hair back from her face as she saw Jameson and Ian coming toward them. “What’s wrong, baby girl?”
“I just . . . I don’t know what to do. Uncle Willy is in that place and I can’t see him. Indie is closing off from me. She does it to protect herself, but I just want to help her.”
Ian grew closer and rubbed his hand up and down her back. “What can we do? Indie can come home with us.”
“If that’s what you want,” Jack said. “If not, we will move here to be with you. Just say the word.”
She glanced at Jameson.
“We will do whatever you need,” Jameson told her. “All we want is for you to be happy.”
She sniffled. “Thank you. You guys are the best.”
Jack hauled her up into his arms.
“Jack! What are you doing?” she said as he started walking down the corridor.
“Looking for a supply closet. You need a time-out.”
“We can’t do that here! Someone could walk in on us.”
“Jameson and Ian will guard the door, won’t you guys?”
They nodded and he found a room, taking her inside. It was dark and small.
“Why does this feel okay yet I freak out in lifts? And in . . . boots of cars.” Her breath started to come in sharp pants.
“Motherfuckers,” Jack muttered as he rocked her. “This was supposed to make you feel better. We’ll leave.”
“No . . . give me a moment. I can . . . I have this.” She buried her face into his chest and took some long, slow breaths.
Eventually, everything faded away and she looked up at him. “So . . . ever made out in a supply closet?”
“Baby girl, I thought you’d never ask.”
Ian looked up at the big steel building in confusion. It was in an industrial area and there wasn’t much more around. “What is this place?”
“This is Club Slade. Named for the owner. Who is also Indie’s step-brother,” Maggie explained. She’d come out of the supply closet with Jack looking far less stressed and with red, swollen lips.
“What?” Ian paused and looked down at her. “Her brother? Why the fuck isn’t she living with him? How come he didn’t deal with her apartment?”
“Because he believed the bullshit lies that Billy spun,” Maggie told him. “Slade thinks that she betrayed him when Billy used plans stolen from the planning and construction firm that he co-owns with his friends to get a bid they wanted.”
Fury filled Ian.
“Holy. Fuck.” Jack turned to look at her.
“They used to be close. We would come to this club all the time. Before Billy. Then, after him, she moved to Birmingham and she started cutting ties with me. I went up one day and I could see the bruises. I begged her to leave him, but she wouldn’t. Not until she accidentally became pregnant. She tried to go to Slade for help. He and his friends are wealthy and powerful. But Billy had already gotten to him and turned him against Indie and me. I wondered why Slade had stopped answering my messages. Why he let her pull away. She didn’t even know that he was upset with her. Indie thought she was protecting Slade by putting distance between them, when Billy had poisoned his mind against her.”
“Oh, I’m going to tell that motherfucker a few truths.” Jack cracked his knuckles.
“No, I am. He always comes into the club early. About this time.” Maggie glanced at her watch. “Let’s go.” She hit the doorbell.
It was a long wait until the intercom buzzed on. “What are you doing here, Maggie?”
“I’m here to talk to you.”
“We have nothing to discuss. And who are those men with you?” the man replied in a low voice.
Ian tucked his girl under his arm. He didn’t like the threatening note in the other man’s voice.