Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Although we kept the people unaware, Beast did warn me that I should tell Vanessa, so she doesn’t find out later. She’ll be upset. As I drive to the clubhouse, Beast’s words make more sense than they did this morning, but I wasn’t all there.
Debra Motts hasn’t been located yet, which is concerning, and Jeff has decided to ask for a lawyer. Cyber’s guy on duty is running the scan for her, but she was last seen at their apartment yesterday before Motts left in her vehicle.
I was worried about keeping Vanessa safe and away from danger. If she came to see me at the hospital and trouble was still lurking she could be hurt. The crew was there to protect her at the clubhouse no matter how much I didn’t like someone else doing my job for me. We were brothers and protecting each other’s women was our priority.
I gingerly drive to the cookout and pull up to find it in full swing, but the second I get out of my SUV, I receive a warning look from Boomer that means he wants to talk, but he nods over to where Vanessa’s standing next to Morgan. When our eyes meet, Vanessa smiles, but it quickly fades and turns to concern.
We meet in the middle of the yard. She tilts her head and asks, “I hope everything is okay?”
“I will be once you give me a kiss.” I smile down at her.
“Did you miss me, Officer?” she teases and that does my heart a world of fucking good because I need her for the rest of my days. Vanessa’s everything to me.
“It’s Sheriff, little girl.”
“Okay, Sheriff, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“I missed you like crazy now kiss me before I fucking go insane.” She throws her arms around my neck and slams her lips on mine. “Van, I love you,” I whisper. It’s fucking crazy soon and I’m sure that she’ll think I’ve lost it, but it’s the truth.
She breaks our kiss and slaps my chest, causing me to grunt involuntarily. “You can’t say that here.” She freezes and stares at me. Shit. “What happened today? Are you hurt?”
“Only a little.”
“A couple broken ribs,” Doc says, stepping next to us with a beer in his hand. “So take it easy for now.”
“Excuse me.” Vanessa runs away from me and into the clubhouse. I move to chase after her, but I’m surrounded by several of the guys.
Boomer is the first to say something. “Law, Brother, you didn’t say shit about what happened to any of us. We get why you didn’t say a damn thing, but…”
“You’re an idiot. I told her that nothing was wrong because the whole town would have known. She’s over here thinking the worst and then you get hurt and she’s partying with us trying to be okay all day. If you wanted to fuck up your relationship, way to go.” Mack turns to Wrench and snaps, “Watch our son while I go and try to fix this. Men.” She shakes her head and attempts to go, but I reach out to stop her.
“No. I need to fix my own mess. I need to tell her that I’m an idiot, in person.”
I walk into the clubhouse to find none other than Taylor talking to Vanessa. “Seriously, have you got a fucking problem? Stay the fuck away from my woman.”
Vanessa whips her head in my direction and glares. “We’re just talking, and I’m not your woman.”
“The fuck you aren’t.” I look right at Taylor. “I’m not going to tell you again. If you value your life, get the hell out of here before I end it.” I tap on my gun.
She moves to get up and follow him out. “Sit the fuck down, Vanessa. I swear to all that is holy, I will tie your ass up and make you fucking listen to me.”
She stands there with her hands on her hips. “I’m not sitting. Fucking speak now. It’s over been twelve hours since you left this morning urgently only to be injured and not contact me, and since you’re obviously standing and speaking it wasn’t keeping you from contacting me.”
“I told Doc.”
“Yes, to tell me when he fucking got here. About half an hour ago. Thanks.”
“By now, I’m sure it’s all over town. Is that what you expect from me? To sit back and hope that you come home and wait for town gossip to reach me first. The last to know something terrible happened while I waited nervously.”
“I didn’t want to ruin your day.”
“Ruin my day. God, you are a fucking idiot. I’ve been anxious and afraid, and I didn’t hear from you even when I sent you a text.” The text that saved my damn life. I love her, but I don’t know how to make it right.