Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Enough, Chase,” Maxx interrupted.
“No. It’s not enough. I am not sitting by watching your business pay the price because of me.” I pulled my keys off my belt, pressing them into Maxx’s large hand. “Thank you for everything you have done for me, Maxx. I’ll never forget it. I quit.”
“No,” Charly gasped.
I turned and hugged her. “I have to,” I whispered. “I have to do this for you and Maxx. Don’t try to stop me. I love you.”
I turned and walked away, leaving everyone stunned. I planned to keep going, not to stop, not to give Dan a chance of getting in the last word, but he refused to let that happen.
“Coward,” he muttered. “Loser.”
I stopped, pivoting. I headed in his direction, ignoring the warnings behind me. He watched me approach, his expression one of smug satisfaction.
“Coward?” I snarled. “Loser? I’m walking away so the people I love aren’t hurt. I’m putting them above me. That’s what a man does, Danny boy. He doesn’t pry into people’s pasts and make them pay again for something they regret. He doesn’t harass women who don’t want him and have clearly stated so. And he doesn’t show up to gloat when he drives the final nail into someone’s coffin.” I glared at him, my hands clenched into fists. “But you didn’t win, Dan. I have lost my job but not my family. I still have them. And I still have Hannah. Those are the important things. So you lose, asshole. Now go find someone else to harass. I’m done with you.”
“Fucker,” he muttered. “You think you’re so much better than me. You’re nothing but a convict and a failure. Hannah will see that, and I’ll be around to pick up the pieces when she does.”
I snapped. My arm flew before I could stop it, catching him on the jaw and sending him sprawling. The crack of my fist meeting bone was loud, and I was sure I had just broken my hand, but I didn’t care. “That’s for the pain you’ve caused Hannah.”
He staggered to his feet, and Dom was behind me, holding me back. “Steady, Chase.”
“You attacked an officer of the law,” Dan slurred, holding his face, blood seeping from his split lip.
I laughed. “You’re in civilian clothes, asshole.” I shook Dom off. “I’m not going to do anything else. He hurt Hannah, and that is unacceptable.” I swallowed. “What he took from me today can’t be soothed with some punching.” I looked at Dan with loathing. “You wanna arrest me? You know where I live.”
And I turned and walked away before I broke down.
I had the blinds pulled down, the living room dim in the afternoon light. I had turned off my cell phone, ignoring the constant calls and texts. The doors were locked, and since I had walked away from Maxx’s, there was no car in the driveway to indicate I was home. I had hitched a ride into town and walked here. I drank some whiskey straight from the bottle, then wrapped my aching hand in ice and sat on the sofa, unsure what to do. My mind raced, going over the events of the morning. The dislike and derision in Jim Albright’s gaze. His scathing remarks and threats to take his business away from Maxx. I knew if he did that, he would also talk about why he had done so, and Maxx’s business would continue to suffer because of me. I refused to let that happen. The truth was, I didn’t have to work, but the garage had been more than a job. It had been my fresh start. My second home. A place I was accepted. I only hoped I still had a place in their family. The thought of losing Charly and Maxx, Stefano and Gabby, the kids—it broke my heart more than losing my job ever would.
And Hannah—she was going to be so upset. I needed to straighten myself out before she got home later and I told her what occurred.
Unless, of course, OD decided to press charges. I guessed I would see her at the station then—from behind bars.
I flexed my fingers, wincing. I should take some painkillers, but I wondered if that was a good idea, given the whiskey I’d swallowed.
A thought occurred to me. What if Hannah was angry at me? What if I lost her because of this?
I shook my head. She loved me. She wouldn’t do that to me.
I picked up the whiskey, peering at the bottle. Maybe another mouthful would take the edge off the pain. I unwrapped the ice, grimacing at my hand. It was a mass of bruises and the knuckles swollen and painful. I realized that although I was trying to flex my fingers, they weren’t really moving. I probably needed to go to urgent care. Except I was sorta drunk and I had no car.