Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Though I had time outside and in the lounge since I wasn’t deemed a high-risk inmate, it wasn’t much, and I could never truly relax. Not until the day I left.
“How’s the gym remodel goin’?” Dad asks as I sit down with a beer.
“Really good. If it wasn’t for the delay in delivering the equipment, he’d be able to open earlier than expected.”
“I can’t wait to see what he does with it,” Belinda chimes in.
“It’s gonna be pretty awesome. Besides the boxing ring, we’re gonna build a juice bar and serve protein smoothies and healthy drinks. Then a nice studio for classes and a stretching area with punching bags.”
“And y’all are gonna get it finished in a few months?” Dad asks.
“Definitely. We’re working hard, and if we need to pull some weekend shifts, I will. Smith is quite experienced, so that keeps us on task.”
“That’s Tyler’s other guy, right?”
“Yeah, he—”
Suddenly, the sound of glass shattering rings through the air, then a loud thud echoes, and I duck as I wait for whatever is happening to stop. Belinda shouts, and I hear my dad asking her if she’s okay.
Standing, I immediately look around and notice what went flying through the large bay window.
“Holy fuck, is that a…?”
I study the pipe as the clock counts down, and it beeps loudly.
“Get out. Now!” I pull my dad’s arm, and he holds onto Belinda as I rush us out the front door.
Expecting to hear an explosion, I run across the street and keep them behind me as we stand on the sidewalk.
Nothing happens.
What the fuck?
Then I spot my truck that I parked on the street. The word MURDERER is spray-painted across the side.
Goddammit.
“Oh my gosh…” Belinda sees it too.
“I’m calling the sheriff,” Dad says.
I nod, reaching for my phone. “Good idea. I’m gonna call Tyler and Gemma.”
The bomb might’ve been defective, or there could be a delayed response, but I’m not taking any chances.
My heart races, and I’m short of breath, but it’s taken me a minute for this to sink in. Did someone just try to bomb our house? That would’ve killed us.
Soon, Sheriff Todd arrives, and he’s calling in backup from the next town over, along with the bomb squad. Red and blue lights illuminate the street, and the entire neighborhood watches from the sidewalk. While the bomb squad takes care of things, the sheriff asks if I have any idea who might be doing this. I honestly don’t know, but I tell him of two people who have a vendetta against me. Gabe’s parents.
Then I tell him about the one guy who slammed into me and called me a murderer, but I have no clue who he is. I can’t give him much of a description either since he wore a hoodie covering his head.
“It’s defective,” one of the bomb squad members comes over and tells us. “It was set to go off as soon as it flew through your window, but whoever did this didn’t do a very good job building it.”
“Thank God,” Gemma mutters.
“Will you be staying here for the night? After traumatic things like this happen, sometimes it’s safer and helps with peace of mind to leave after everything’s properly secured,” he suggests.
“Not sure yet. We’ll figure it out,” Dad says. He glances at Belinda, who’s on the phone and is clearly shaken up. “Thanks for everything.”
Sheriff Todd writes a report and tells us he’ll file it in the morning so Dad can get insurance to cover the expenses. Once again, I feel fucking terrible.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell him and Belinda. “I’m so relieved you two are okay.”
“It’s not your fault,” Belinda says, ending her call.
“Not at all,” Dad adds, but I know it is.
“Are y’all gonna go somewhere?” Gemma asks.
“Well, I just talked to my sister and let her know what happened. She has a spare room, but there’s only a full-sized bed.” Belinda frowns, then glances at me.
“Take it,” I demand. “I’ll figure something out. Plus, it’s probably best I stay close and watch the house tonight. But tomorrow I’ll need to find somewhere else to go for a while. Perhaps if this asshole thinks I moved out, it’ll keep you both safe. I can move my truck so it’s not in front of the house.”
“You have nowhere to go,” Tyler says.
“And you can’t afford a hotel.” Gemma gives me a sad look. “Though I wouldn’t want you in the next town anyway. That’s too far.”
I shrug, trying to calm myself. My body is still in shock. “It might be my only option.”
“Let me see what I can do…just give me a minute,” Gemma says, pulling out her phone and walking off.
“You’re sure about this?” Dad asks.
“Absolutely. You and Belinda go pack and stay at her sister’s. I’ll be fine here,” I reassure. “I just need someone to help me drop off my truck somewhere in the event it’s being tracked.”