Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Yet your first instinct was to protect your girlfriend today.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“But you were in the hot tub together?”
“What we were doing—what two consenting adults were doing—before those two shitheads trespassed on my property and held us at gunpoint is not anyone’s business.”
The officer draws in a breath. “Good enough. Anything else you need to tell me?”
“I did the best I could to stop his bleeding. I hope it was enough.”
“I hope so too.” He rises. “I’m going to go check on Jack and your lady friend there.”
Savannah and the other officer are out on the deck.
I follow Officer Bandy.
“Jack, I’m done with Mr. Bellamy here. How are you doing?”
Jack taps on his tablet. “We’re just wrapping it up. I think Ms. Gallo here may need a doctor’s attention.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Savannah? You okay?”
She nods. “I think I was in shock for a while, though.”
“Perfectly understandable,” Jack says, “considering what you’ve been through.”
Jack grins at Savannah, and I don’t like the way he’s looking at her. My hackles rise.
But I know better than to mouth off to an officer. Not at this point in my life. And not under these circumstances.
“We’re going to need to get forensics over here to brush for fingerprints and other evidence.”
“Why do you need to brush for fingerprints?” I ask. “You’ve got the two guys in custody.”
“Sorry. Fingerprints and other evidence is just what we say. Other evidence.”
“What other evidence? You’ve got the two weapons. You’ve even got the piece of glass Savannah used. You know who we are. You’ve already got my fingerprints on file somewhere.”
“Standard procedure, Mr. Bellamy,” Jack says.
Savannah gives me a weak smile. “Falcon, it’s okay.”
“Fine.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “Vannah, let’s get you to the doctor.”
She nods. “All right.”
Jack hands a card to Savannah. “You need anything at all, you just call me.”
“Thank you.”
Over my dead body.
“I’d say welcome to the area,” Jack says, “but this has been a harrowing first week for you. A new job, the death of a friend, and now this.”
What all did Savannah tell him?
The officers both rise. “We’ve got all we need for now. Like I said, forensics will be over—”
I raise my hand to stop him, but he continues to talk over me.
“—yes, I know you think we have all the information we need. But you’re an ex-con, Mr. Bellamy, and Ms. Gallo here works for the law. So we’ll be out here on investigation. Just leave everything as it is. Good day.”
8
SAVANNAH
“We’ve got all we need for now. Like I said, forensics will be over—yes I know you think we have all the information. But you’re an ex-con, Mr. Bellamy, and Ms. Gallo here works for the law. So we’ll be out here on investigation. Just leave everything as it is. Good day.”
Right.
I won’t be working for the law much longer. Once Bridget finds out I was at my parolee’s house, in the freaking hot tub, while two criminals assaulted us, I’ll be fired for sure.
I let out a breath once they’re gone.
Falcon meets my gaze. “You okay?”
I breathe in gradually, trying to slow my heartbeat. “Not even slightly.”
“I know, Vannah. I’m sorry.”
“I’ll be unemployed by tomorrow.”
“Not necessarily.”
I scoff, though my heart’s not in it. “Are you kidding me? This will be all over the news, and once my boss finds out I was here with you, I can kiss my job goodbye.”
“It won’t be all over the news.”
“Sure it will be.”
“It won’t. I’ll make a few calls. Are you forgetting that my old man kept most news outlets from reporting on my situation eight years ago? This is nothing compared to that. I’ll call my father, and he’ll work his magic.”
“You think he can?”
“I know he can.” He stares into my eyes. “But Vannah, do you still want to be a parole officer? Seems like your family wants you back.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so, Falcon. I mean, that was my first thought, but then I dug deeper. My own family wouldn’t send armed gunmen to take me. I don’t know why I didn’t see it earlier. I was just so freaked out.”
“What was this all about then?”
“I’m pretty sure the McAllister family was behind it.”
“The McAllisters?”
“I guess you’re not up on organized crime in Texas.”
“I met up with a few hit men while I was in the slammer, but they tended to keep to themselves.”
“That’s because they’re told to stay out of trouble so we can get them sprung as soon as possible.”
“Savannah…” He shakes his head. “I knew there was something about you, but I never pegged you for a gun maul.”
“Because I’m not a gun maul!” I curl my hands into fists. “I wanted out of this. But the problem is I’m family. I was supposed to…”
I can’t say the words. This was right after college, and I honestly thought it was over.