Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 94716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“I think, after you’re done, you need to get Jack out of here for a little while. Take him to a hotel for the night.” Elliott said just before he opened the door.
I studied him for a few moments, noticing the lines that bracketed his face. “Thank you for taking care of him for me.” I whispered and then patted his face before walking through the door.
Jack was the first person I sought out when I entered the room. He wasn’t paying attention though. His face was buried in his hands. His elbows rested on his knees, holding his face up.
He looked dejected. Like a swift wind would blow him over, and I knew he needed me.
Walking to him, I pulled his hands from his face and sat in his lap before he could protest. As his arms wrapped around me, I closed my eyes and sunk into his embrace. His hands found their way up underneath the sweatshirt, and splayed across the bare skin of my stomach, pulling my closer.
I glanced around the room and noted that Luke, as well as his partner Downy, were there. There was also a new guy I hadn’t met yet, but he didn’t look very happy to be there, and I knew instantly that I didn’t like him.
His badge was clipped to his hip as Luke and Downy’s were, but instead of the jeans and KPD t-shirt that they were wearing, he had a suit on. It was also uglier than ass.
“Ms. Stoker,” the man started, but I interrupted him.
“Mrs. Stoker.” I forced out through gritted teeth.
Kodiak growled at the detective. He stepped back in response to the obvious threat that Kodiak represented. My restraining hand on his collar stopped the advancement and the growl, but it didn’t stop the death glare he was giving him.
“Mrs. Stoker, I’m Detective Pierson Howell. My associates and I will be asking a few questions about tonight’s events.” He stated, and then proceeded to question me like a criminal.
Jack’s arms got tighter and tighter on me until he was squeezing me so hard that I was panting for breath. Patting his arm with my hand, he got the hint and loosened his tight hold.
“Detective Howell, I’ve already answered all of your questions. Now, it’s been a long six hours, and I’m ready for a nap. If you have no new further questions, I’d like to ask you to leave.” I said, interrupting the question he was in the process of asking me for the third time.
Luke hid a smile behind his raised fist, and Downy turned away to study the wall of pictures that collected on the back wall anytime someone got some developed.
They wall was actually pretty darn cool. A smorgasbord of everyone’s family. Cute things the kids got into. Horrid things they got into, too. Like Piper and Pru covered in poop standing in their cribs with happy, accomplished smiles on their faces.
The newest one was of Jack and me kissing, recreating the one on his bike that we’d originally created seven years ago. That one was my favorite.
Detective Howell cleared his throat bringing my attention back to him. “Don’t leave town.” He said as he stomped out of the office and to his car.
Kodiak followed him until the door closed between them, stopping his forward progression. It didn’t stop the mean look he gave the interloper, nonetheless.
“Alright, now that the douchebag is gone, how about you tell me how you know this guy.” Luke said breaking the silence.
I turned to him and studied his determined expression. Luke was a good, fair cop. He would do his job, but watch out for the people that needed protecting in the process.
Clutching Jack’s hands in mine, I explained. “I had a dream tonight about being abducted,” I stopped when Jack’s body tensed behind mine. “The man that I shot was the brother of the man who abducted me seven years ago. Benjamin Clayton. They were talking about selling me and already having a buyer.”
Jack’s head fell to my shoulder, and the desperation in his touch was back. “Fuck.” He rasped.
“I pissed him off though. Woke up just after he told me they could find someone to replace me.”
My eyes flicked from one man to the other, and a common theme was on each one of their faces.
Rage.
Chapter 14
Roses are dead, violets are fine. This day sucks balls. I love this wine.
-T-shirt
Jack
“What have you come up with?” Sam asked.
I turned and rubbed my face with wariness. “Government officials, police officers, and reporters. They’re up to their fucking eyebrows, but whoever’s working for them on their end is good, and I haven’t been able to get in yet. Winter would probably get in, but I don’t want her to be a part of this if she absolutely doesn’t have to.”
Sam nodded and turned to James. “How did they get in?”
“Cut the power that went to the fence. Bolt cutters from there. Then skirted the motion sensors. Major fuck ups on our part.” James sighed heavily.
My gut churned when I thought about how close I’d come to losing her, again. If I hadn’t taught her how to shoot, we’d be having a funeral now, instead of this discussion.
“Let’s get it fixed. Spend what you need to. There’s no limit here.” Sam stated.
I agreed wholeheartedly. What happened last night could have happened to anyone here. We needed to make sure everyone was protected.
The front door opened, and the bells that Ember hung on them jingled. All three of us looked towards the door and watched as Cheyenne came in and shut the door behind her. She was dressed in tight jeans and a black halter-top. Boots with pointy toes covered her feet, and her hair cascaded in long blonde curls down her back. She looked great. I looked over to Sam, because he’d said he wasn’t planning to go anywhere until we got all this figured out.
Sam’s eyes were glued to his wife. “What’s up, Cheyenne?” He asked her.
“We’re going out. Winter needs a distraction, we’re going to The Back Porch for dinner, and they have a live band coming in at eight.” She declared.