Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 132892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“Should probably answer that,” he said. “Waiting on a call—all our plans are fucked up because of the fires.”
He didn’t move to answer, though. Instead he started kneading my breasts, and I sighed happily. We were in our own little world, and whoever was out there could just stay the hell away.
Maybe we could just live in here.
Then his phone started ringing again. Gage pulled away. I heard a rustle as he zipped up his pants before answering. Pulling up my shorts, I hopped awkwardly as I fastened them, trying not to listen but totally curious at the same time.
“Who is this?” Gage asked. I heard a woman’s voice but couldn’t make out what she was saying. For an instant I felt jealous, then realized how stupid that was. It could be anyone. “I’m hanging up.”
Her voice grew louder, talking fast. It sounded familiar.
“Talia, you need to let it go. It’s over. All of it. Move away and start over before we have to take action. That’s the best you can hope for.”
A screech rose from the small speaker, and he glanced at me and jerked his head toward the door in a silent request for privacy.
I’d never wanted to listen in on a phone call more than that one, but I managed to do the polite thing and go back into the kitchen. The TV was still going, this time displaying a satellite map showing smoke plumes that covered half of Washington, northern Idaho, and reached up into Alberta. It looked like the whole region was on fire. Then Dad wandered in, and I was all too aware that my hair was messy and my shirt was still twisted partially around my body. Heat rose high in my cheeks. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice.
“What’s up with all the smoke?” he asked. “Someone burning brush outside?”
“There’s wildfires, Dad,” I reminded him, wondering how he could be so clear sometimes and so fogged at others. “We’ve got an evacuation warning.”
He frowned. “That’s no good. Is there gas in the truck?”
“We don’t have a truck anymore, Daddy,” I said. “We sold it, remember?”
“Oh, I must’ve forgotten,” he said absently. “Well, that’s okay. We can use your mother’s car.”
No, Mom’s car got totaled in the accident.
“Mine’s got gas,” I said instead, glancing toward the pantry. Then I heard the back door slamming shut, and looked out the window to see Gage striding across the yard, his face grim.
What the hell was that all about?
My phone rang. Carrie.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“You heard about Chelan, right?” she asked.
“Yeah. Bad scene.”
“I know. The Hallies Falls volunteer firefighters are headed south of town—there’s a new flare-up and the forest service doesn’t have anyone left to respond. Darren went with them. I just got a call from my aunt. They’ve just moved her to level two, which means it’s time to pack her up and get her out. I’m going to go pick her up and bring her back to our place, but I’m worried about the girls. They’re at school. I hate to pull them out if there’s no reason, but I’m not comfortable leaving town with him gone, too. Not today.”
“I’m on it,” I said. “Call and tell them I’ll pick them up this afternoon. I’ve given up on working today. Randi’s busy helping out her family and can’t stay with Dad anyway. Those Seattle lawyers will just have to wait for their chocolate.”
“Thanks, babe,” she said, and I could hear her relief. “Keep them safe for me. I’m know I’m just paranoid, but—”
“Go get your aunt. It’ll be okay, Carrie. I promise.”
GAGE
“If the Reapers want to avoid a war for our pipeline out of Canada, you’ll need to go through me,” Talia said as Tinker shut the kitchen door behind me, letting me take the call in private. God, I couldn’t believe how good that woman felt wrapped tight around me. She might be having her doubts, but I wasn’t—we’d make this thing work one way or another. I was determined.
“You and your brother have both been making threats, but now I’m supposed to believe we can do business together? How stupid do you think I am?” I asked, wishing she’d just take the money and get out while she could. Otherwise she’d get herself killed. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s over. We’re onto you and we’re not interested in your games. You and your brother have both threatened us.”
“It’s finally hit me,” she said bluntly. “I’m fucked. Marsh is gone and you’ve taken over the club. That part of my life is over and I need to move on. But five hundred bucks isn’t enough. You want the Canadian connection and I have it. All I want is a finder’s fee for putting you in touch with them. You let me smooth the way.”