Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Good deal. The break will do you both some good.”
“No doubt.” Preacher leaned back in his chair and announced, “While I’ve got you here, I got a call from Viper this morning.”
“Something up with the run?”
“You could say that.” Prez leaned back in his chair. “When you go, you’re gonna be bringing back more than this month’s take. You’re going to have some company with you.”
“Come again?”
“Viper needs us to look after a girl and her son for a while.”
“Seriously?” Memphis groaned. “Don’t we have enough going on?”
“Viper helped us when we were in a pinch, so we owe it to him. Besides, it sounds like this girl could really use our help.”
“She in trouble or something?”
“She’s got something going with an ex. Some kind of stalker issue, and she and her kid need a place to hide out for a while.”
“This guy hurt her?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty bad. Viper will explain everything tonight when you guys get to the Manor.”
“Got it.”
Prez turned to me and Goose as he said, “We got no idea what this ex might pull, so I’m putting you two in charge of keeping an on eye on them. Make sure they have what they need, and neither of them leaves the premises without one of you with them.”
“Understood.”
After Goose and I finished eating, we headed out to the garage with Memphis. We spent a few hours working on his carburetor, and then we started preparations for our run. We gathered our weapons and extra ammo, then cleared the storage compartment beneath my backseats. It was a modification Memphis and a couple of the brothers had made to the truck a few months back. It enabled us to hide several pounds of product securely, and with the scent-lock storage containers, we wouldn’t have to worry if we got pulled over on the way back.
I gave everything one last scan, then announced, “Looks like we’re all set.”
“Then, let’s get moving.” Memphis started for the passenger door. “I have a beautiful woman waiting at home for me.”
“Yeah, yeah. You can stop with the bragging.”
“Not bragging. Just stating facts.” He waited for me to get in and close the door before he added, “You could call up your stalker friend. I’m sure she’d love to...”
“Not a chance,” I interrupted. “I’d rather die alone.”
“Oh, she wasn’t that bad.”
“I knew her two days, and she got my name tattooed on her wrist.” His smirk widened when I added, “And she sprayed everything I owned with her strong-assed perfume—even my fucking underwear!”
“Sounds like she really liked you.”
“Oh, yeah, she was crazy about me.” I patted my chest as I boasted, “But you can’t really blame her. I mean, look at me. I’m irresistible.”
“You’re even more delusional than she is.”
“Whatever, man. At least I’m not hooking up with my little...”
“Whoa,” Memphis snapped, cutting me off. “Don’t even.”
“Well, don’t start no shit, won’t be no shit.”
“Oh, I’m about to start some shit in about two seconds if you don’t start this fucking truck and get us on the road and find us something to eat. I’m fucking starving.”
“I’m going. I’m going.” I turned the key as I mumbled, “Damn.”
Seconds later, we were pulling through the gate and headed towards Nashville. It wasn’t a hard drive. It was just a long one. It was about five hours, but the traffic was light, and Goose had plenty of stories to help pass the time. But as we drew closer, the stories came to a halt, and our focus was on the road ahead.
Goose’s fingers tapped nervously on his thigh as he kept a close eye on his side mirrors, watching for any signs of trouble. Memphis toyed with the police scanner, and just as we were coming into Nashville, he leaned forward and announced, "Looks like we’ve got a speed trap up ahead."
I nodded and eased off the gas.
I dropped to just above the speed limit and hoped it was enough to keep them from becoming suspicious. The area was a hot spot—not because of the Manor. No one knew it existed, but the interstate through Nashville had become a high-traffic area for criminals of all kinds, and cops patrolled the area like vultures waiting to swoop.
I checked my mirrors and speed once more, then continued towards our exit. We got off, and twenty minutes later, we were pulling up to the gates of the Manor. We sat silent as the security did their check. It took a moment, but once we were cleared, the gates eased open, and we continued up to the main building.
The night air was thick with a low-lying fog that clung to the ground as we parked and exited the SUV. It was dark and eerily quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of our boots hitting the gravel as we approached the entrance. I opened the door and found Viper waiting for us inside. He was a big guy, older and a bit intense, but he had a protective, fatherly way about him that reminded me of Preacher.