Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“The scars weren’t the only payment, were they, Wyatt?” Sawyer asked, the question curling around the room, threatening them all. “Your brother needed more. He needed to make sure you kept your mouth shut.”
“Yes. There was more than getting rid of the tat.” Wyatt’s expression had gone a careful blank.
“What did he make you do?” Sawyer leaned against the wall, waiting for the answer. “He would need leverage on you, and I doubt he would think the money laundering would be enough.”
Wyatt stood there, unblinking and absolutely not answering the question.
A million horrible scenarios played through her mind. “You’re saying they would have made him do something criminal?”
Sawyer nodded. “I should have thought about it, but Wyatt never said a word. So that makes me think it’s bad. How did you fake it, brother?”
“I didn’t,” Wyatt said, looking around as though making sure they were alone. “I didn’t fake anything. I did it.” He turned Sabrina’s way. “I killed a man, Sabrina. I killed a man who might have been able to testify against my brother. He said he wouldn’t, but my brother doesn’t like loose ends. I should have let him kill me so I never took another man’s life. That’s who you’re willing to risk everything for.”
Did he think this would work? Wyatt was perfectly capable of killing a man. She’d seen him fight, and it could absolutely happen when he was in that state. He could kill a man who threatened the people Wyatt loved. Without hesitation.
But in no world she could imagine did he ruthlessly plan and murder a man who’d done him no harm to simply free himself from the Horde. She knew Wyatt, and he wasn’t capable of it. Again, Sawyer was right. Also, when had he gotten so damn chatty? “And I will continue to do so.”
“Damn it, Sabrina.” Wyatt got into her space, looming over her. “I confessed to murdering a man.”
“And I do not believe you.” He was trying so hard to intimidate her, but it didn’t work. He was kind of hot when he played the hardened criminal. She put her hands on his shoulders, wishing he would stop fighting and let her take care of him. “You found a way. You tricked them. You would not kill a man to get yourself out of a bad situation. You only did it because it got you both out.”
His head fell against hers, their foreheads touching as his hands cupped the sides of her face. “You can’t ever say that, baby. You can’t say it. Not even when we’re alone.”
She was right. She knew she was, and he was beyond scared. He was protecting more than his own heart. “Just because we don’t say it, doesn’t mean we can’t help you carry the load.”
His head shook against hers, but he didn’t move away. “I’ll get you killed.”
“No,” Sabrina countered. “If someone kills me, it’s their fault. It would be your brother’s fault. It’s not your fault, Wyatt. You didn’t deserve any of this. You did everything you could to survive and get out. You don’t have a curse. You have a terrible brother who makes bad choices and who does not get to manipulate your life anymore.”
“You were brave when you left, Wyatt.” Sawyer stood beside them, a hand on each of them. “Be brave again. I got a whole lecture on what’s going to happen if you leave, and it was bad. Sabrina’s going to cry and then Rachel Harper will set her assassin six-year-old on you and apparently Poppy, the toddler, will help because she’s some kind of spy. Aliens will rain down on Earth. I’m not sure if it’s your fault or bad timing, but Mel’s pretty certain. The point is, they would rather face down a pack of murderous bikers than have Sabrina Leal even think about needing a fresh start somewhere other than in her classroom. The people of Bliss have had a taste of what it means to be able to put a kid in school for eight hours, and they are not going back.”
“I liked it better when you didn’t fucking talk so much,” Wyatt muttered. He brought his head up, and the worry was still in his eyes, but he hadn’t moved away. He looked over at Sawyer. “You think this town can handle the Horde if they decide to punish me by taking it apart?”
“Somehow I think the Horde is going to find out how mean this town can be when their citizens are threatened,” Sawyer replied. “These are smart men and women we’re talking about, and a whole bunch of them have been in tight spots before and fought their way out. Trust them. Trust in us, man, because I don’t think I can do this without you. I just figured out what you bring to the table. You can watch all her home and garden shows, and I don’t have to. I can be in a relationship and also be alone because you’re always here. This can work.”