Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“Well then, you should like me a ton, because the only reason I’m not a nervous wreck is because I didn’t have enough time to get all worked up about your visit,” I say, and he smiles right as Jenna’s hungry cry rings through the air. “Duty calls.”
I hurry back to the bedroom and hear Jasper say, “You did good, son. Pretty and sweet is a hard combination to find.”
It feels good to get the stamp of approval from Justin’s dad, and judging by the smile on Cora’s face when she hands Jenna over to me before she leaves the room, I figure I have it from her too. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and I’m much more relaxed when Jenna and I join everyone in the living room, where I discover Justin was right about his mom bringing over a ton of food.
I settle on a roast beef sandwich and chips, and while I eat, Jenna falls asleep in Cora’s arms.
Twenty minutes later, she stands and hands Jenna over to Justin, announcing, “We’re going to go so Aubrey can take a nap. The best advice I can give you, honey, is to sleep whenever Jenna does. It’s the only way you won’t feel exhausted all the time.”
“I’ll try to remember to do that,” I say, and she smiles, walking toward me, and I stand to give her a hug.
“I’m just a phone call away if you have questions or if you just need me to come over so you can have a break.”
“Thank you.” My arms tighten around her and my eyes fill with tears. I pull in a deep breath to get myself under control, more thankful than she could ever know for her offer. I always expected to have my mom at my side to offer advice or just to lean on when I had my first child, and it’s difficult when I remember she’s not around.
Once they leave, I head into the bedroom for a much-needed nap, and it doesn’t take me long at all to fall asleep. A half an hour later, I hear Justin’s deep rumble in the other room, and since Jenna is still asleep, I start to roll over to try to go back to sleep, but stop and jerk upright when I hear Jenna’s father’s name come out of Justin’s mouth.
Chapter 12
JUSTIN
“THIS ISN’T GOING to be good. Paulie Sr. isn’t stupid. He’s going to figure out that Kai coming back to life is connected to his son dying,” I tell Kenton, knowing something is going to have to be done about Paulie Sr. sooner rather than later.
“Paulie Jr. is dead?”
I’m so focused on delivering my warning to Kenton that I don’t realize Aubrey is awake, let alone in the room. My head jerks around at her question, just in time to spot her fall to the floor like her legs gave out. I disconnect the call without a word and drop my phone as I rush to her side. I pick her up and place her on the couch then kneel on the ground next to her. “Shit, Aubrey. Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital?”
Her skin is so pale it’s almost see-through, but her hold is strong when she grabs my hand and squeezes hard enough to cause pain. “Who were you on the phone with? Why were you talking about Paulie Jr.? How do you know him? Did you tell anyone in Vegas we’re here?”
“Paulie Jr.?”
“Yes!” she shrieks, stunning me by grabbing my shoulders. “Did you tell anyone I’m here?”
“Baby, Jesus.” The pieces click together and it hits me.
I’ve already killed the motherfucker who raped her.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to tell her. I never want her to look at me with the same fear she has in her pretty blue eyes right now, but knowing he’s dead and can’t hurt her or anyone else fills me with relief.
“Breathe for me,” I say quietly, knowing I need to be extra careful explaining the situation to her. “I was on the phone with Kenton. We were talking about Paulie Jr., because one of our friends has been having some trouble with his dad, and he needed our help.”
“You helped Paulie Jr.? Was he a friend of yours?” She jerks away from me, sounding horrified.
“Of course not, sweetheart.” I get up and take a seat on the couch with her then resituate her on my lap so I can see and hold her while we talk. “Paulie Jr. was going after the wife of one of my friends. She inherited some property in Vegas, and he wanted it for himself. He thought if he had control over it, it would give him the power he needed to get out from under his father’s thumb and take his dad’s seat.”