Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
The longer we rode, the more relaxed Calista became. At one point, I felt her cheek rub up and down my back. I couldn’t help but rub her leg as we continued.
It wasn’t long before my phone buzzed with a text. We’d just pulled up outside the family section, fifty acres which were fenced off with a privacy fence, so I dug into my back pocket to fish it out. In the process, my hand brushed Calista’s inner thigh. Even through our clothes, electricity seemed to arc between us. She shivered and tightened her grip around my waist. I looked back over my shoulder and winked at her. She buried her face in my back, but I saw the excited smile before she turned away from me completely. She still rubbed her face against my back.
I smirked to myself as I looked at the text message.
Lemon: Gt ur ass hr. 2nd [^] on lt.
Me: English please.
Lemon: FIO beoch
Heaven help me.
Turned out she and Apple had gotten the second house on the left ready for us. Whatever.
“Here.” Lemon handed Calista a phone. “It’s got mine and Apple’s numbers programmed into it, as well as Dom, Ringo, and Rocket. Full disclosure: Rocket is mine. I really like you, but if you touch him without permission I’ll have to hurt you. I don’t want to hurt you, girl. You’re gonna join me, Apple, and the other old ladies and we’re gonna keep these guys from gettin’ completely out of control.” Lemon smiled brightly and, to my surprise, Calista laughed, her eyes dancing in merriment.
“Yeah. I think we are.”
Apple grinned as she came out of the house. “Everything’s ready. Place has been aired out and fresh linens are in the bedrooms and bathrooms. This one has a queen and a full, but there’s plenty of room for a king in the master bedroom when you’re ready.” Apple was the milder sister, but she was still a handful. Especially since coming to Grim Road to live.
It was like, before a point in her life, she was one way. After that point, she was another. She was more abrasive than Lemon. Lemon had learned to joke. Somewhat. Apple meant every cutting barb she threw. And sometimes, she could be vicious. I was glad she was following Lemon’s lead in taking care of Calista. Having Apple for an enemy wasn’t advisable.
“Thanks, guys.” I grinned at both women and, before either knew I was going to, pulled them both into an embrace for a full two seconds before Lemon shrieked, ducking out of my hold. Apple backed up three full steps, looking at me like I’d grown two heads.
“What the fuck? Eww!” Lemon did a little dance, like something had just creeped her the fuck out. “Ringo germs! I’ll probably get the bubonic clap! Or a fiery, raging case of hemorrhoids! Bath! I need a bath! And liquor. And pot! OMG! Lots of pot!”
“That was just gross, Ringo.” Apple brushed herself off with a frown. Like I’d gotten dog shit on them. Meanwhile, Calista was laughing like a loon, bent double as she guffawed.
I looked appropriately put out with the women as I snagged Calista’s hand. “That was cold, y’all.”
Lemon pointed at me, pointing to her eyes, then at me a couple of times. All kidding aside, I got the message. She was watching, and I absolutely would not do anything to hurt Calista.
As we entered the house, Calista was still wiping tears from her eyes. “Those women are awesome!” She stood with her back against the door, a huge smile on her face as she laughed. “You did that on purpose.”
I snorted. “Right. ‘Cause I love setting myself up for ridicule from the tiny tyrants.”
“Oh…” Her eyes got wider, and she started laughing again, like this was all the height of hilarity. “You better not let either of them hear you call them that. I have a feeling it won’t work out so well for you.”
I couldn’t help the grin and knew there was likely some soft, goofy expression on my face. How the fuck had I decided I liked soft and sweet? ‘Cause this girl was so fucking sweet it was giving me cavities. Her reactions were genuine. She was scared, but brave. She’d had one small meltdown, but I thought she still needed to process everything that had happened tonight.
I let her calm down somewhat. She sat on the couch, plopped down like she was exhausted. Given that she’d been on the run all night, I was sure she was.
“You all right, baby girl?” I moved to the side table where I kept a bottle of Jack. I poured us both a shot, then handed her the glass, crouching in front of her, careful to go slowly so I didn’t startle her.
She took the glass and sniffled, tears still leaking from her eyes. There was a smile on her face, but it started to falter. “Well, I’m on the run from my stepfather and whoever he thought he was gonna sell me to. When they catch me, they’re going to do things to me I can’t even imagine.”