Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Nah, when it comes to these pricks, we need to do it the Cal Hutton way.
A big, painful proverbial fuck-you thumb up the ass.
“What did Samantha say?” Jace asks, frowning. When he scowls, he looks just like Roan. Roan still has bad blood with his dad, but he tolerates him since his dad went and became besties with his husband’s father.
“She thinks she’ll get that shit pushed through faster with Zella potentially being in danger, though we have no proof.” I scrub a palm over my face and glance at Garrett. “We have to find Lacey.”
Penny tenses, her lips thinning out into a line. Nervousness glints in her blue eyes. I want to pull her into my arms and assure her I don’t want Lacey back. Just Penny. But, with her dad and brother within punching distance, I don’t go to her like I want. Instead, I try to reassure her with a smile. She flinches, darting her stare to her lap.
“I think Lacey is scared. Maybe hiding from Jack,” I tell him. “Back when we were together, she had scars. Like that fucker burned her with cigarettes.”
Penny snaps her head up, fury blazing in her blue eyes. “You think he’d do that with Zella?”
“If you saw Vicki’s bruises,” Jace reveals, “you’d have your answer. Fucking waste of breath is what he is.”
Garrett’s face reddens as he glowers at Penny. “And you went over to this motherfucker’s house?”
“I was there to protect her,” I remind him. “Plus, Jack wasn’t there. Penny won’t have to ever see him. It’s fine.”
“We need to get Zella out of there,” Tierra chimes in. “Can’t we just go get her?”
“Not if we want Terrence to legally get custody. Unfortunately, we have to do this the right way,” Garrett says, running his fingers through his dark blond hair that’s now messy from stress. I guess your children always getting attacked by psychos will do that shit to you. “I’ll press on Samantha until she gets shit done.”
“Press.” Jace snorts and Penny smirks. “Does your girlfriend know you want to press on your attorney?”
“His girlfriend hates Samantha,” Penny says with an evil glint in her eyes.
“Focus, children,” Garrett growls, pinning Jace with a glare.
“I wanted to hire a private investigator to find Lacey but…” I trail off. “It’s expensive.”
Garrett nods in silent understanding. “I know someone. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get him on it.”
“I can…” Pay you back.
“I know.” Garrett smiles. “It’s okay. We’re going to get her back for you. Terrence, you just keep yourself out of Hoodlum trouble. Don’t be a Cal.”
Cal laughs, flipping us off from the dining room where he has Charlotte in his lap while he talks to Roan and Hollis.
“We will get her back,” Garrett assures me. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Penny
I stare at a text from Jack for the millionth time, wondering how to respond.
He needs me to sit for him tonight. But ever since Friday night where he put his hands on me and threatened me, I’m afraid to. That, coupled with what happened on Saturday night at the party, has me never wanting to leave my bedroom again. Yesterday, after breakfast, I went back home because I needed to shower and put on real clothes. I needed normalcy.
I wanted to drag Terrence along with me, but he was buzzing with worry over Zella. Since we couldn’t exactly make out in front of everyone, we sneaked in a quick kiss when he walked me out to my Jeep. We texted a bit, but mostly, I stayed in my bed trying to replay the good times I had with Terrence rather than obsess over the horrible ones at the party.
I could just ignore it.
Quit.
Never step foot in that man’s house again.
But what about Zella? That’s basically leaving her with the big, bad wolf. I can’t do that to her. I can handle myself. I’ll just keep my Mace handy. I can’t, however, abandon that little girl. Not now knowing what he did to Lacey and Zella’s grandma, Vicki.
Quickly, I reply back to Jack before I lose my nerve.
Me: I can do it. You’re not going out drinking, are you?
Jackoff Henderson: No, sweetheart. Friday I was out of line. I apologize.
Whatever, creep.
Me: It’ll have to be after basketball practice.
Jackoff Henderson: Thank you.
I shove my phone into my hoodie pocket along with my keys, wondering if it’s time to leave this hell hole yet. Finally, my teacher gets cut off by the sound of the last bell of the day. Snagging up my backpack, I haul ass out of class, eager to get to practice. I keep my head down and my pace quick, ignoring all the loud chatter around me.
“Get her.”
The voice is my only warning as I pass the boys’ bathroom. Hands grab me, yanking me inside. A shriek escapes me before a hand clamps over my mouth.