Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“You drop your damn gun, or the girl gets it. I'm not fucking around.” The voice is harsh, and tinged with adrenaline, cracking just a little.
Shit. “What kind of fucker takes a little girl hostage? I thought the Sons were men, not fucking cowards.”
“Call me whatever the fuck you want, but I've got a debt to repay, and I'm getting outta here. If you don't want the kid’s brains blown out all over the compound, you're gonna let me go.”
Something explodes, making even yelling impossible for a few moments. “You hurt a hair on that girl, and I'm gonna fucking string you up by your entrails.”
He laughs, a harsh, ugly sound. Under it I hear Mia whimpering. “Oh fuck you. You're not gonna risk hurting the girl, and you know it. First I’ll get her, then if she doesn’t end up dead, I’ll get her momma. It’s time she moved up in the world, not fucking down with you scum.”
Who is this fucker and why does he know who they are? What was that guy’s name? The neighbor? I just have to keep him talking to buy time for reinforcements. “Is this some sorta fucked up revenge scheme? Did she turn you down?”
“I'm done talking. Put your fucking gun down, or I'm murdering the girl, and then every other woman and child in the shelter. Your choice.”
“Don't shoot,” yells Shel. She's still in cover, but there's no way she's not hearing this. “Please.”
The guy comes into view, and he's got Mia in his arms with his gun right up against the side of her head. Yeah, it’s the fucker from the video. Mia’s whimpering, her face tearstained. “Mr. Sledge!”
“Mia!” Shel yells. “Matt? What is wrong with you? Let her go!”
A horn blares on the other side of the compound, three quick taps like a signal and Grinder starts backing up. “Sorry, Shelby. It looks like time's getting short. Now stay the fuck away from me, or Mia gets it.” He moves towards the armored truck, keeping his gun steady on Mia's head.
“Mommy! Mr. Sledge!”
Fuck, I've never felt so powerless in my life.
He climbs in, along with the remaining Son, both of them keeping their guns on us until they can slam the doors shut. The truck immediately backs up and kicks up dirt as it turns towards the front of the clubhouse. I raise my gun, but even if I could get through the armor, I wouldn’t risk hitting Mia.
“Mia! No!” Shel screams.
But the truck barrels away from us, charging straight through the chaos. We run after them, but there's no way I can catch up, and when stray bullets start whizzing by, I drop into cover, pulling Shel with me.
Shel crumbles like she’s been hit, but the bullet wasn’t physical. “Mia!”
32
MIA
Ms. Ginger, the lady that smells bad, is watching me again. She said to call her Mommy, but she’s not Mommy!
“Here, honey. I've got some Pop Tarts.” Ms. Ginger puts them on the table in front of me.
I turn my head and hug my knees to my chest. She doesn’t like me, I can tell, even if she pretends. I hate her. I hate her crayons. I hate her Pop Tarts. And I hate that she sees me cry. Mommy says tears are just how the bad feelings get out sometimes, but I don’t think it’s working.
The door opens, and Mr. Matt comes in. I hate him, too. Even more than Ms. Ginger.
“How's she doing?” he asks.
“How the fuck do you think she’s doing? I can’t believe you grabbed her without a plan.” Ms. Ginger picks up the crayons and throws them. “A couple broken crayons aren’t going to keep her happy. Shit, I said I would help you, baby, but I’m not a fucking nanny.” She bounces her shoulders.
Mr. Matt comes over and gets down low next to me. “This is your new home, Mia. No one's gonna hurt you. Do you want Mommy to be here with you? I’m working on it, promise.” I don't say anything. I don't want to talk to Mr. Matt.
Ms. Ginger doesn't look very happy when he talks, and I’m glad. Does that make me mean? But I think Mr. Matt and Ms. Ginger are mean, so maybe it's okay just this once. He pats my head like I’m a puppy and walks away.
“Why do you care about her bitch of a mother?” Ms. Ginger pulls Mr. Matt with her, but I can hear them just fine. “She's not gonna give you what you need like I can. She'll just be trouble. Keep Dodger’s kid. She'll be pissed for a while but forget soon enough. That’s what happened to me when I got shoved in foster care. We could raise her, you and me. Mia’s his flesh and blood, Shelby was just the carrier.”