Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Don’t listen to him.” George looks at his wife, then at Mike. “We all know the police won’t fucking care. They sure as hell didn’t when it came to confirming whose body was in the kitchen. This one’s car was parked at the house; they were satisfied he was the one who got blown up. Even when we asked them to confirm, they couldn’t be bothered. They won’t go out of their way to find out what happened to Colt when it hasn’t even been a year since his father and brother died in a tragic accident.” He sneers. “Maybe he was feeling unstable. They’ll believe what they need to believe to file their reports and move on.”
He’s probably right about that.
“That’s why we have to do this,” George insists. There’s something fanatical in his voice, unhinged. He reminds me of a preacher trying to convince his congregation to handle a snake. His breathing is sharp and grasping, and now sweat is practically pouring down his head and the sides of his face. “If we want justice, we take matters into our own hands, right? That’s where all of this started. We do not give up now. For our kids, for all of our kids.”
“I’m sure the cops would never suspect you.” Nix almost seems like he’s enjoying himself, almost laughing. “If you’ve been raising shit with the police over what you think they should have been doing for your kid, who do you think will be the prime suspect? So let’s pair that up with the footage of you trying to run Colt down—which there were witnesses to, by the way—and you have an open-and-shut case. They would be happy to put you away quickly just to close the case and move on. Is that justice? It’s not like it would bring Bradley back. Or what’s his name? The one you don’t give a shit about.”
“That is enough!” Cecilia shrieks. “Do not talk about my boys! You nasty, evil, disgusting thing!”
Mike looks at me, then at Nix, before looking at George. “You know, it could be true.”
Yes, but will that be enough to convince George to change his mind? Or have things already gone so far there’s no turning back? There’s nothing to do but sit here and wait to see what our fate will be.
29
LENI
This is ridiculous. Am I supposed to sit here all night, worrying myself half to death, jumping every time there’s a tiny noise outside?
Because that is exactly what I’m doing—ready to jump out of my skin, pacing my apartment like a crazy person as minutes turn to hours. Before long, it’s almost 12:30, and I haven’t gotten a text from either of them to let me know they’re still alive.
What are they doing? What’s happening? What if I’m right, and George was waiting for them? What if this is exactly what he wanted Colt to do? Because he didn’t know Nix is still alive, so he wouldn’t be expecting him. What if he hurts them both?
What if he does more than hurt them?
My heart seizes when footsteps in the hallway outside the apartment get louder. The gun sits on the coffee table—I haven’t been able to touch it since I left it there after the guys left. Do I need it? Should I grab it? Holding my breath, I listen as the sound gets louder, and louder… and softer as whoever it is keeps walking.
I can’t take this anymore.
Colt’s laptop sits open on the kitchen table, where he looked up the address earlier while we were waiting for pizza to be delivered. We actually sat and ate pizza while waiting for the right time for them to leave and do things I don’t want to think about. Like this was an ordinary night. The house is still pulled up on Google Maps—I type the address into my phone, shaking with fear but filled with determination. I’m not going to let them do this on their own, not when I’m part of the reason they went in the first place. Maybe they need my help.
Even if I wonder whether I would be able to shoot somebody if the time came. I guess that’s the kind of thing you just have to do in the moment. You can’t think about it beforehand.
Colt will be so happy to know I am finally driving my car. I guess this is as good a reason as any to get behind the wheel. The house is a short drive from the apartment, but that still gives me plenty of time to worry like hell and hope I’m not making the wrong choice by coming out here. Let them be okay. Let it already be over and let them be okay. Colt will probably be annoyed with me for taking a risk, but that is nothing compared to the terrible things that could possibly be happening.