Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
And then I hit some more.
The bag falls from the ceiling, catching me by such surprise that I step back, and then applause breaks out around me.
When I turn, I find Ryan, Jake, Remington, and Chase all standing nearby, hands on hips or in pockets, watching me.
“You’re going to hurt tomorrow,” Rem says.
“I hurt now. Give me just five minutes alone in a cell with him,” I say to Chase as I wipe my arm over my forehead.
“I can’t do that, no matter how much I want to,” Chase says quietly. “He threatened to sue her for assault.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.” I turn and kick the bag now.
“He dropped that idea when we reminded him that what she did was in self-defense.” Chase crosses his arms over his chest. “How is she?”
“Better. She’s a lot better. Bruised and sore, but she ate and wanted to go home with Daisy. And I needed—” I point to the bag. “I’m just so fucking pissed.”
“Did this help?” Jake asks quietly, watching me with sober eyes.
“A little. I pictured his face.” I blow out a breath as I tug my sweat-drenched shirt over my head and then accept the bottle of water that Ryan offers. “I hate that there’s nothing I can do.”
“You did it,” Ryan replies. “You stayed with her. You took care of her. That’s all you can do.”
“It’s not enough.” I chug some of the water. “Hey, you’re fancy.”
Ryan’s lips twitch. “Are you insulting me?”
“No, Millie says I need a new suit for this big party. But I only have a couple of days until the gala.”
“Oh, I can take care of that,” Ryan says, pulling out his phone. “What color do you want?”
“It’s a fucking suit, I don’t know.” I eye Jake. “Sorry, buddy.”
“I figure you have the right to swear a lot today,” Jake replies. His face is still sober. “Did he hurt her really bad?”
“He got one hit in,” I reply and walk to him, patting him on the shoulder. “And she smashed a frying pan over his head. Made him bleed.”
Jake nods, relief obviously moving through him. “Good. That’s good. Maybe I’ll go see her tomorrow and see if she needs anything. I’m gonna go kill some zombies.”
He waves at us and then walks out of the gym, closing the door behind him.
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I should have thought of how he was feeling before I went on my rampage.”
“He’s okay,” Ryan says. “He’ll go kill some zombies and feel better. The way you killed my bag over there.”
“Sorry.” I grin at him. “Not sorry. Hey, this asshole is the son of a rich fucker. I can’t hurt him physically, but—”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ryan says with a lethal grin. “That family might just have to lose all of their money.”
“Jesus, you guys are scary,” Rem mutters. “How can I help?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
ABBI
“Look at those earrings,” Summer breathes, her voice full of awe and admiration, from her seat next to mine.
“I can’t,” I reply. “I’m getting lashes, and I’m not allowed to open my eyes. Whose earrings are we admiring?”
“Polly’s,” Summer replies.
“Describe them.”
“Rubies,” she said. “Big, fat, red rubies the size of my baby toe. With diamonds. Did you get those for Christmas?”
“Yes,” I hear Polly reply. “Ryan spoils the shit out of me.”
“As he should.” That’s Erin’s voice. “And oh, my God, your baby bump is so cute in that red dress.”
“Okay, hurry up with the lashes already,” I say with a laugh.
“There, all set,” my makeup gal, Stacy, says with a chuckle of her own. “Go ahead and admire everyone.”
“Finally.” I turn in my chair and sigh in happiness. Polly looks incredible in a fitted, red velvet dress that does make her bump look adorable, and those earrings are just stellar. “You’re so beautiful, friend.”
“You’re all really good for my ego,” she replies happily and passes me a glass of champagne. She’s holding a glass of sparkling cider. “Also, your makeup is amazing. And you have some pretty incredible earrings of your own. Brady did good.”
“Oh!” I turn back to the mirror to have a look and am immediately relieved to see that there’s no sign of a bruise on my cheek or my eye. “You did a great job on that coverup.”
“It was my pleasure, and the makeup should stay in place for a few days, even if you wash, as long as you don’t scrub too hard.”
I stand and hug Stacy before hurrying over to the dress hanging in the doorway of Erin’s bathroom.
Since all five of us were already going to be at the ranch all day, getting the Wild River Ranch event space ready for tonight, we decided to just bring all of our stuff out here to get ready together. We even hired hair and makeup artists to make us feel extra fancy.