Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Chapter 15
Devlin
Devlin barely looked up as Donnie slid a shot across the bar. Devlin was in his regular seat. He had been living at the club house for days, unwilling to even head home.
He couldn’t eat. He couldn’t sleep. All he could do was stare at his phone.
And drink. At this point, he was practically a professional.
Devlin had begged Kaylie to talk to him. To let him explain. But she had asked for time.
His sweet little angel had a temper. And she apparently wanted to cool down before she saw him. She needed to think.
Whatever that meant, he knew it wasn’t good.
For almost three days now, he’d been waiting. he’d sent her a note now and then. But she hadn’t responded.
A few days ago, Devlin had thought he was marrying the perfect woman. Instead, he was pretty sure she was thinking about ending things.
And that would be it. Game over. Kaylie was it for him. Devlin didn’t want anybody else. A thousand swimsuit models could throw themselves at him and he wouldn’t be tempted.
He only wanted her, dammit.
“Hey man, I’m going to send one of the prospects out for burgers.”
“Do whatever you want, man. Didn’t you just come from Mae’s?”
“The burgers aren’t for me.”
Donnie forced a smile.
“I will eat your fries though.”
Dev squinted at him as he got us each a fresh beer. He tipped his head back and downed his.
“What are you doing here, man. You look as bad as I do.”
“I was going home to take a cold shower but I figured I better check on your sorry ass.”
“Cold shower? You strike out with Sally again? Maybe she’s not into you man.”
Donnie glared at him, then shrugged.
“She is into me. But something is up with her. I need to talk to-“
He stopped abruptly and stared at Dev.
“You can say it.”
“Sorry man. Chicks stick together. I was just hoping Kaylie knows what is up with her. It’s almost like she’s afraid of something.”
“Neighborhood trouble?”
Donnie shook his head.
“No. It’s something worse. She’s not just nervous. She’s fucking terrified.”
“Somebody do something to mess with her?”
“I don’t know. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I really like her Dev.”
“I’m here for you man. And as soon as you figure it out, I’m cracking skulls right beside you.”
Donnie smiled and nodded. He gave one of the prospects a couple of twenties and sent him off to get us grub. When it came, I even took a few bites.
“Was she there? When you went to Mae’s?
“No man. Sorry.”
“Get the guys to drive by tonight. They can keep an eye on Sally and Kaylie both.”
“You got it.” Donnie nodded. “Good idea.”
“Too bad Jack is too busy to help out.”
“Lucky bastard.”
Chapter 16
Sally
No no no no!
Sally was curled into a ball, trying to protect her face. Huge fists were flying toward her, beating her, hurting her. She was so scared.
But for the first time, she was also mad.
Leave me alone!
As soon as that thought came into her head, he seemed to sense it and redouble his efforts.
She took a hit to the side of her head, up against her ear. A ringing sound filled her head. Not her ears! She needed her ears for her music!
She felt herself sliding into unconsciousness but the hits kept coming. Her arms slid away from her face and she felt a hit land on her cheekbone.
Then darkness.
Sally woke up with a scream on her lips. She looked around her living room stupidly. She was safe. She wasn’t injured.
She'd fallen asleep on the couch.
She got up slowly and did what she always did when she had the dream. She took the crowbar by her bed and walked through the house, checking every door and window. She looked under the bed, in the closets even in the basement.
And then she sat down with her guitar at the kitchen table and wrote a song. It was a pretty tune, full of heartbreak and hope. It wasn't ever going to be a number one hit. Girls wouldn’t sing it at the top of their lungs after a breakup.
No one would ever even hear it.
She couldn't risk performing it for anyone. If she did that he would find her for sure. But it still soothed her to put her feelings into words and melody.
Sally was up the rest of the night, as usual. She could never relax after the dreams came. She cleaned the house and played her guitar a few more times. She even did her martial arts drills. Finally she gave in and made a pot of coffee in the old drip pot the landlord had left behind.
She could never sleep after one of those nightmares. No matter how many times she told herself it was a dream.
Just a dream.
But it wasn't really.
It was a memory.
Chapter 17
Donahue
Donnie knew he looked ridiculous. A big guy on a bike with a huge bouquet of flowers tucked into the front of his jacket. He wiggled his nose as one of the flowers brushed his face.