Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
We watch as Flowers gathers the evidence and stands. “Be smart, Mr. Wilkes. Judges don’t like when an independent, young, beautiful woman walks into her home and is assaulted to within an inch of her life.”
The description is exaggerated, but the delivery does the trick. Travis sinks into his chair. “I want a lawyer, then I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
“Smart decision,” Ford growls, prowling out after Flowers.
“Oh boy, we have a rogue on our team.”
“Always,” Ace agrees. “That’s who we are.”
We file out of the room, and my phone vibrates, showing my service is back. The message from Jewls has me grinding my teeth.
Hey, it’s been a long day and I know you’re busy. Going to bed. I’m on horse duty in the morning so Mom can tend to Dad.
This is basically the same message I’ve gotten every day for the last week. When I’m not on shift and we actually have time to talk, she’s falling asleep on the phone as early as nine.
That nagging feeling returns, and I rub my neck to ease some of the tension.
“Was that Jewls?” Ace asks.
“Yeah, she’s in bed, a-fucking-gain.”
“Man, this has to be tough on her. Harley said she’s stressed.”
“I fucking hate it.”
“She thought her dad was dying.”
Gill Keller didn’t have a heart attack, but his episode uncovered blockages in his heart. The morning of his episode, he overheated, causing him to pass out. Once in the hospital, a surgeon put in stents, and the results were positive. He was released two days later with orders to take it easy for a few weeks.
“I know that, Talon! What I don’t get is why she’s holding me at arm’s length. My offers to help are rejected.”
“Roll it back, Major. We’re trying to be supportive,” Ace counters.
“She’s closing up, and I can’t figure out why.”
“So, why are you here instead of in Kentucky?”
“Because she won’t let me.”
“Won’t let you?” Talon side-eyes me. “Since when does that stop us?”
“Since she told me her dad is embarrassed at his weakened state.”
“Ahh, okay.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, I just thought Jewls was more than that.”
Anger boils to the surface, and I get in his face. “What the FUCK does that mean?”
“You’re her boyfriend, I get it.” He shrugs indifferently.
“Being her boyfriend means respecting her wishes.”
“If you say so.” It’s not his words, but his attitude that spurs me.
“Talon,” Ace warns without an ounce of conviction.
“Nah, man, I get it. She’s your girlfriend. You don’t want to intrude. It’s not you getting up at five a.m. to shovel horse shit and feed the animals before working a full day at her job remotely, only to do it all again before making dinner and helping take care of your dad. I mean, who wants to drive two hours up the road and stay in a hotel to help her so she doesn’t run herself into exhaustion? You definitely need permission to take care of your girlfriend. Why chase after the woman you love and figure out what she’s hiding to keep you at arm’s length? Fuck that noise. Seems like a lot of work.”
His words pierce me like a blade. What burns more is he made his point.
“You’re a dick.” I slap him upside the head.
“The jarhead gets my point!” He jogs in a circle with his hands in the air. “The twinkle will return!”
Ford strolls around the corner, takes one look at the scene, and shakes his head. “Finally, his moping, pussy-whipped ass is getting old.”
I shoot them all a dirty look.
They planned that shit, knowing that baiting me would push me over the edge. Irritation runs through my veins, but I’m done waiting. Jewls is hiding something, and it’s time I find what.
Then I’m going for her.
The serenity of the landscape does nothing to quell the raging storm brewing inside.
Talon was right. I should have driven my ass to Kentucky a week ago. While I was stupidly respecting her wishes, she was disconnecting.
“You’re a Goddamned selfish idiot.” I grip the steering wheel, growling loudly.
All the possibilities of what was going on in her head and the answer was lying on her kitchen counter.
A receipt from a drugstore the morning she received the call about her dad. Normally, this wouldn’t seem important, but seeing the time stamp had me visiting the store. All items purchased were abbreviated, but one look at my MNPD shirt, and the clerk was happy to help.
“Folic acid, calcium supplements, magnesium, prenatal vitamins with DHEA…”
My world stopped. I demanded she double-check. My face must have shown my surprise and disbelief. She repeated, this time with apprehension. When I insisted to see the video footage, she gladly passed me along to the manager and slinked off, eyeing me warily.
Watching Jewls breeze into the store and down the aisle, reading the labels before adding items to her basket, my heart ached for her. She was smiling brightly, her presence practically glowing.