Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Well, that’s what happened.”
A frown claws into her forehead again. “But that still doesn’t excuse having Chris arrested and no one else. That’s not fair.”
“I didn’t have Chris arrested. A deputy went to question him and he assaulted an officer of the law. That’s why he ended up in jail.”
“It’s true,” a voice calls out from the other side of the café. “My brother’s the one he punched. Dumb move. Kid should’ve known better.”
“Oh,” Sully mutters. “That’s…not what I heard.”
“And I’m pressing charges against everyone who was on board,” I continue, grateful that at least a few people in town seem to be willing to back me up when it comes to speaking the truth. “And that includes my nephew. I’m not in the business of sparing idiots’ consequences, even if I happen to be related to them.”
She nibbles at her bottom lip, looking conflicted, but the righteous indignation is gone.
In hopes of further easing her mind, I ask, “Can we go somewhere private to finish this, please? I haven’t looked behind me yet, but we’re obviously causing a scene.”
“Huge scene,” Sully’s friend, Elaina, says from behind the counter, her voice cheery. “But please feel free to stay We haven’t had a show this good in a long time. The cats are cute, but the gossip isn’t nearly as juicy.”
Sully sighs as she pushes to her feet. “Can we go upstairs to your place?”
“Sure,” Elaina chirps. “Just be sure to yell loud enough that we can hear everything, please. I’ll turn down the music so we don’t miss any of the good stuff.”
Sully rolls her eyes before starting toward a stairwell marked with a “Do Not Enter” sign. She steps easily over the low rope blocking the door and starts up the stairs, not pausing to see if I’m behind her.
But, of course, I am.
I’m going to chase after her as long as it takes to prove that I’m never going to hurt her or betray her. I’m loyal to the fucking marrow, unlike the liars in her family.
It makes me hope Chris spends as much time as possible in jail. He must have been the one to tell her the false story of what happened yesterday.
God knows what else he said, but hopefully I can set that record straight as easily as I did the first one.
And hopefully Sully and I will be leaving here together.
Truly together, in a way that no bullshit story will ever be able to tear apart.
chapter 26
GERTIE
There’s no good way to start a conversation like this.
That’s why I’d planned on never having this conversation.
But Steven was wrong about what went down with Chris.
Maybe he’s wrong about this, too, though I have no idea how I’ll ever find out for certain. Closed adoptions are private things, and I can’t imagine my mother would have done anything but a closed adoption. She wouldn’t have wanted anyone to know that she was dumping yet another unwanted kid on her way to her shiny new life.
And Weaver could always just lie, the way he did the first time.
I spin to face him across Elaina’s large open living room, but he’s already closing the distance between us and dragging me into his arms.
His mouth covers mine, crushing my lips with a kiss that steals my breath. And even as I tell myself to push him away, I find my good arm twining around his neck, clinging to him as he grips my ass tight and our tongues stroke and spar.
The chemistry between us is just too intense, and I’ve been craving his touch since the last time he laid his hands on me.
And a part of me knows this might be the last time. Once we talk, we might never be able to touch again. There are things not even I can forgive, breeches of trust that there are no coming back from.
But the weak thing that I am, I need him. At least one more time.
His fingers drive into my hair, sending my ponytail holder flying as he makes a fist there. Then his lips are at my neck, his teeth dragging over the sensitive skin as he whispers, “You’re mine. This is where you belong. With me. Always.”
I shiver, knowing it’s true, but knowing it might also be impossible.
But that doesn’t stop me from dropping my sling to the floor and helping him ease off my sweater and the camisole beneath. And then he’s guiding me to the floor, and his mouth is on my nipples, and I’m begging him never to stop touching me, never to leave me.
“Never,” he promises, ripping my sweatpants down my legs with one hand as he continues to torture my electrified skin with his mouth.
“That’s my girl,” he says, groaning as he slides his hand down the front of my panties. “So wet for me. I love feeling you soaked and ready for me to fuck you, baby. I love it so fucking much.”