Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 114647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
I absorbed that news for a minute. “So, what was all that shit you were trying to do with James?”
She shrugged. “Glen. He wanted you. Told me if I got you alone that he’d consider the money I stole from him paid in full. But I didn’t want James hurt, so I tried to wiggle myself between the two of you. Once I learned what they were planning to do to you, I backed off. That’s when I truly started to try to get a hold of the police, but James just kept telling me to go away. Same with Max. I didn’t know whom to trust. God I was so fucking scared.”
She seemed to slump, and she looked totally defeated.
“That’s why you brought the wrecked bike to Free?” I questioned.
She nodded. “That was one of Larson’s men’s old bikes. It was just a way in.”
“How did you come to be where James was shot?” I asked.
I was burning with questions. The need to know more about what happened with James was absolutely killing me.
“I overheard Glen talking about a new gun before I left the last time and didn’t come back. I’d learned from working at The Gun Doctor what you would use that kind of gun for. I followed him; saw where he set himself up. I’d never intended to let anything happen. I was over confident. James came flying down the street before I could even react, tell him, and warn him. It all happened so fast, and I couldn’t let anything else happen to him, so I pulled him into my rental and took off. Dropped the car and him at the ER entrance, yelled like a frantic woman that someone was in trouble, and took off.”
I couldn’t even begin to tell her how humbled I was that she’d do that. Put herself in the line of fire when I was sure she’d been scared shitless.
There was only one thing I could think to say. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t enough. It will never be enough.” She sniffled, trying her hardest not to cry. “Tell him I’m sorry. He was always so good to me.”
“You already told him.” I said, nodding my head towards the doorway where James was now leaning quietly, head down.
When I pointed out his presence, he looked up, eyes hard.
“You’re about to disappear.” He said with no emotion in his voice.
She rose, nodding. “I know. Thank you.”
When she tried to slip past him out the door, he grabbed a hold of her arm. “No, we’re making you disappear. We’ll give you a new identity. Money. A place to live. You’ll keep your head down. And you’ll never contact us again.”
Tears poured down Jolie’s face. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “Should have contacted me before it got this bad. You’re welcome.”
Chapter 26
To make sure we always have a happy marriage, I promise to always cop a feel when you get ready in the morning.
-Life Lesson
Shiloh
“Where are we going, Sebastian?” I asked my brother, who had to be high to take me out in this shit.
When he didn’t answer, I kept up my ranting.
“It’s fucking seventeen degrees, and raining ice. We really shouldn’t be outside.” I chastised.
“Shut up. Cheyenne has a surprise for you.” He growled, fed up with my bad attitude.
It wasn’t my fault my jaw was sore.
Nor was it my fault he had to wear an ankle bracelet that monitored his whereabouts. But he did, and he bitched about it constantly.
“What’s your problem anyway?” He snapped.
I glared at his back as we exited James’ old place, where we stayed on and off throughout the week depending on if he had to work the next morning.
My problem was that James left for a SWAT conference the night before, and I wouldn’t see him for another three days.
He missed my jaw being unwired. He missed my casts coming off. And, he took my cat to the groomers, and they’d shaved him like a lion. An honest to God lion. Why do you ask? Because my fiancé is a shit head, and I lost a bet.
“We made a bet. I bet him that Janie would like my present better, and he did the same for his. She chose his, and he shaved my cat like Mufasa.” I explained.
“What’d you get her?” He asked in surprise.
I know, I was surprised, too!
I gave great gifts. I always did. I took a lot of time planning each what to get everyone. It started months in advance for the big day. Which was good for me that I’d finished all of my Christmas shopping since I was in the hospital over Christmas. We ended up celebrating Christmas on the first of January.
“I got her a bicycle. It was shaped like a Harley. I mean how freaking awesome is that?” I asked vehemently.
“That’s pretty cool. What’d James get her?” He asked as he opened the door to the garage that led us into the down room.
At first, I didn’t quite comprehend what I was seeing, and then I gasped at the beauty of it. Twinkle lights shone everywhere. All in the LED white lights that made them look faintly bluish in color.
Sparkly snowflakes hung from the rafters, as well as fake ice crystals. Inside, in the middle of the room, was a dress. My dress. The one I’d cut out of a magazine when I was sixteen and fantasizing about my dream wedding.
I turned to study Sebastian, and his surly attitude, his shadowed eyes, and flung myself into his arms. “Oh, Sue. I love you.”
His arms tightened in warning, but they were warm and comfortable as he held me close to his chest. “Had your shit packed up by the boys about a month ago, and found that in the closet. Showed it to Cheyenne, and she made it happen. Do you like it?”
“I love it, thank you.” I whispered with tears in my eyes.
He grunted, pecked me on the forehead, and unceremoniously dropped me to my feet. I promptly returned the favor by punching him in the stomach, and then turning away to the ladies who’d stayed quiet during my moment with my brother.