Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Samantha spins around and sees the lifeless body still holding the pistol.
“He would have killed me,” she mutters.
“Not while I’m still breathing.”
She turns back to me and buries her face in my chest. “Thank you. You saved my life again.”
“You’re alright now. Call 911.”
She makes the call and remains in my arms while we wait for the police to arrive.
“Look, baby,” I say and turn her so she can see Crystal loping toward us.
Samantha rests her hand on the horse's muzzle. “You saved us all.”
The sun rises and the police are still present on the property. I drape a blanket around Samantha, who’s sitting on the sofa recounting her part in the situation for what seems like the tenth time. The coroner removes the two slain men from the kitchen and the third from the pasture. The fourth man is alive and taken by ambulance to get checked out at the hospital before beginning his stay in the county lock-up and awaiting trial.
A detective approaches me and asks me to step outside. I agree and follow him onto the front porch.
“Mr. Stockton, I think we have a clear picture of what went on here last night. We’ve confirmed that you legally own the firearm in your possession. By all accounts, you were just protecting your family and your property.”
“So, you’ll be clearing out of here now?”
“Yes, but I wanted to let you know that we’re taking your brother into custody.”
“For what? He was defending himself.”
“I’m sure he was but the terms of his release were very clear. Any association with known criminals would put him back in prison. I’m sure you understand.”
I nod my head, but as much as it pains me, it’s also a relief. Samuel’s continued connection to organized crime has endangered Samantha, and I won’t allow that to happen again. If he’s not going to complete his sentence, I’ll banish him from our childhood home.
Samantha watches as two uniformed officers bring Samuel through the house. In true form, Sam smiles at me. “Guess we’ll try this again in three years, bro.”
I step in front of him. “Only if you’re ready to change by then.” I look at Samantha and add, “If I have to disown you to keep her safe, I will.”
The police leave and I sit down on the sofa beside Samantha. She lays her head on my shoulder and sighs. “You should go to the hospital too. That man shot you.”
“I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound. I know you’re tired, but we can’t stay here. I’ll throw some clothes together and grab your bags.”
“Where will we go?”
“We’ll get a hotel room in Nashua. I think after everything you’ve been through, you’ll sleep better there. Once this place is cleaned up, we’ll come back home.”
“I don’t care where I am as long as I have you with me.”
“I’m not leaving your side, little girl.”
12
SAMANTHA
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Stephen greets me from the wingback chair in the corner of our hotel suite.
“You let me sleep in again?”
“Why wouldn’t I? We have nothing to stress about and nowhere to be.”
The last few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I love being here with Stephen, but it’s taken some time to get the images of what happened that night out of my head. He assures me that the horses are being tended to, but I want to see them for myself. They’ve been through a traumatic experience too.
“If you’re ready, we can go home today,” he says.
Although I haven’t mentioned it, I think he knows I’ve been fretting over Crystal and the other horses.
“I think that’s a good idea. I’m ready.”
“One last thing before we go,” he says, plucking up the room service tray from the table. He sits down beside me and takes the lid off. “Breakfast in bed.”
“Where did you go this morning?”
“I had a few work things to see to. Nothing for you to worry about.”
He cuts a piece of crepe, dips it in whipped cream, and holds it in front of my mouth. I take it off the fork, leaving a dab of cream on my lips. He leans in and licks the cream off.
“Eat and get dressed, little girl. I’m gonna step out and settle the bill.”
“Hurry back.”
“I’ll be just a minute, I promise.”
When he returns, we set out for the manor. There’s a new guard in the shack when we arrive. The old one hasn’t been seen since that night. Stephen believes the Marcellas paid him to leave the gate unattended.
We roll up the drive, and I look out the window at the beautifully manicured lawn. Stephen takes my hand. “Are you alright?”
I smile. “I’m glad to be back here. As long as you’re here, I know I’m safe.”
You couldn’t tell that this place was a crime scene less than a week ago. Everything inside is just as perfect as it was the first time I came through the door. From the kitchen, I hear the sounds of construction tools humming in the pasture.