Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Drew’s gaze fastens on nothing in particular, and I know he’s thinking through it all. Seeing the pieces move in his mind. "Okay, but I don't want Bel here. Aries can stay with her and Ely at our place."
Ely immediately interrupts. "What? No. That makes no sense. I have to be here. If he shows up and realizes I’m not here, he’ll know it’s a set up, and then it won’t matter what our next steps are. If we want this to work I have to be here.”
I nod my head in agreement, “She’s right. As much as I hate it, if she’s not here when he shows up, all of this was for nothing. We need him inside the house to get the job done.”
“Fine, then Bel will stay with Aries.” Drew announces.
Bel doesn't even look at Drew, but I can sense the anger rolling off of her. "Bel is an adult who can make her own choices, which, by the way, will be staying to support her friends.”
“You’re so fucking stubborn.” Drew shakes his head in frustration.
“Trouble in paradise already?” Lee muses.
“I think you want me to kick your ass? Is that what you just said?”
Aries chuckles, “I think we should take bets on who gets their ass beat first. My guess is that Bel beats both of your asses.”
Bel gives Aries a cheeky grin, and Drew rolls his eyes. Lee, on the other hand, smirks and says, “I have something she can beat, but it ain’t my ass.”
“You really want me to kill you, don’t you?” Drew growls, ready to explode. I need to stop this before it gets out of hand, even if I do enjoy watching Lee bait Drew into peculiar situations.
“Stop. We’re here to discuss the plan. Afterward, you can kill each other; I don’t care. Just take the mess outside.”
“Okay, dad….” Lee mocks with a frown.
“Such a buzzkill, man,” Aries shakes his head.
I notice Ely shifting on the stool like she’s uncomfortable. I can understand why she feels this way, and if I could pull the plan off without including her in it I would, but I can’t. Which means I’ll have to help her through the process and find ways to ease the fear and anxiety she has. I think I have the perfect plan for that.
Addressing the room, I say, "For this to work, we will need to act as a team, with each person doing their part. First step is for Drew and Bel. I need both of you to go to the Mill. Start a party, big enough that the police get called.”
Lee grumbles,. "Uh, I can do that; why are you asking them to do it?"
"They’ll start the party. You’ll ensure it gets the publicity it needs. Think you can make some calls and get the press there?”
Lee smiles. "Is that even a question? I’m a professional at fucking things up. I've got a friend on speed dial who will draw some cameras. I'll just take him out to dinner. Piss my family off in the process."
"Okay, good. Then the three of you sneak away, making sure no one notices and get back here. The point of it is we want the Sheriff thinking Ely is here alone, and unprotected. I'll also be making a big show of leaving. If he agrees to come to the house we know he’ll be watching the place, and want to make certain I’m gone before his arrival. I’ll sneak back in without anyone noticing.”
Ely reaches for the coffee mug, but I tug it closer to me with a raised eyebrow. "I don’t know if you need any more coffee. You’re anxious as it is.”
Bel snatches the mug from me and hands it to Ely. "You're not her keeper. If she's anxious, give her a Xanax like a normal person. Don't withhold the goods."
I can't help but smile. Bel has been a firecracker since she and Drew got together, and I kind of love her all the more for it.
“We can have the meeting take place in the den. I’ll have Ely get in touch with her father, and set everything up for tonight. We’ll wait until he’s inside the room before we ambush him.”
“Got it!” Drew nods.
“But first,” I say to Ely, ignoring Bel's glare, "I made some plans for just us tonight. Once we get back, I'll make a show of leaving. Anything you want to do in the meantime?"
She shakes her head. "I don't know..."
Bel stands and drags Ely off the stool. "Come on, why don't we go for a walk? Mr. Broody over here can take us over to the Mill," she hikes her thumb at Drew, "we can hike the property, and he can follow us. It'll give us a chance to talk; plus fresh air always helps expel anxiety."