Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
He wanted to rage. He wanted to run out of that fucking hospital, hunt down T-Bone and slice his fucking throat. Tie him to the back of his truck and drag him down the street until he had the same road rash Sloane did on her arms.
He swallowed down the roar clawing at his throat and forced himself to remain as calm as possible when he demanded, “Who was it?”
“I don’t know his name, but he was looking for Sadie.”
Of course he was. “Was he wearing a cut?”
“No. But he called you Hatchet.”
T-Bone. Exactly who he thought. “Where’s Val?”
Her swollen and bloody bottom lip trembled. “I don’t know. He tried to grab her. Finn attacked him and I told her to run next door and have them call the police.”
He wanted to feel relieved, but until he knew for sure Val was safe, he couldn’t. “He didn’t take her?”
“I don’t think so,” she said on a broken whisper with her chin trembling. “But I passed out, Owen. I tried not to. I... I tried. When I was out, he tied me up and when I woke, I was already in the back seat. She wasn’t inside the car with us.”
He heard loud and clear what she wasn’t saying. Val could’ve been locked in the trunk. Fury rose from his gut and burned his chest.
“I swear I tried, Owen. I tried to get her to run to the neighbors. I tried to protect her. I failed. I’m so sorry.”
“You didn’t fail, Sloane. He didn’t take her.” Or he hoped to fuck T-Bone didn’t have her. Somebody needed to call him back soon before he could no longer contain himself. Because he was close to exploding.
A bruised hand reached out and clamped onto his forearm. “Go home and look for her.”
Before he could respond, his phone lit up and Finn’s name came up on the screen. He couldn’t swipe his finger across the screen fast enough. “Talk to me.”
“Val’s fine.”
Oh, thank fuck!
“Mel’s with her. She’s scared and crying and, of course, wants to talk to you. She’s also asking for Sloane. We’re going to pack an overnight bag for her and take her home with us. Unless you want your mother to come stay here with her?”
“No. I don’t want to put that burden on my mother. Take Val with you. I need to make sure she’s protected, just in case he tries this shit again. And I know she’ll be safe if she’s with you. Don’t let her out of your sight. Not for a fucking minute, Finn.”
“Got it, brother. We’re going to stick to her like glue.”
“Does Val have any injuries?”
“Nothing physical.”
For fuck’s sake. “What else?”
“Nox’s taking,” Finn groaned, “Finn to the emergency vet to have him looked at.”
Christ. “Is he bad?”
“Not sure. He was limping and crying really loudly non-stop. He didn’t want Val holding him.”
“He got thrown and kicked,” Sloane whispered.
Decker’s eyes flicked up from his boots to her lopsided face. He sucked air deep into his lungs that burned from the pure hatred he had for that fucking prospect.
“Okay, what else?”
“Rez is here, ready to secure your back door once the Troopers are done with their report. A brick was thrown through the window so the intruder could unlock it and get in.”
“The alarm never went off?” he directed to Sloane.
“It wasn’t set,” Sloane whispered. “I didn’t plan on being there long, I didn’t think to set it.”
It most likely wouldn’t have made much of a difference if it had gone off, anyhow. Police response wasn’t usually quick in the area he lived. T-Bone could’ve grabbed either of his girls and left before a patrol could ever arrive.
“I’ll have Rez clean up the broken glass before he leaves so you don’t have to deal with that, too.”
“Crew?”
“On his way over to the hospital to meet with you.” After a slight hesitation, Finn asked in a low voice, “This wasn’t random, was it?”
“Fuck no.”
“Didn’t think so. You got an idea?”
“Fuck yes,” he ground out.
“Name.”
“T-Bone. He was keeping Sadie high as fuck and pimping her out for cash. I stole her right out from under his nose and he wasn’t happy about it.”
“Jesus fuck,” exploded from Finn, “that goddamn bastard.”
“I’d add some other adjectives to that to make it more accurate, but basically, yeah.”
“All right, what are we doing about that fucker?”
“What do you think I’m doing about him?”
“I want in.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“Deck…”
He stepped out of the curtained area and away from Sloane so she wouldn’t overhear him. He also lowered his voice so none of the staff rushing around picked up what he was putting down. “Need to get my thoughts together before I have an answer and that’s not going to happen tonight. I need to plan and do this right so it doesn’t splash back on me or Sloane. Or any of us. But believe me, that fucker’s time is coming.”