Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“Where’s my Holly Sweetness?” El Diablo and his wife, Jezebel, hurried up the ramp in back of the aircraft, the anger and worry in El Diablo’s voice echoing inside the aircraft. Mechanic hadn’t unlocked the back hatch immediately after landing to make sure Chris Alistair didn’t get out of the aircraft with one of the women, hoping we’d leave him alone and not risk hurting an innocent. We wouldn’t, but we’d also never let him leave this place until we knew exactly what part he’d played and doled out a punishment to fit the crime. We just happened to believe the best defense was a good offense. Keeping Alistair contained meant he couldn’t hurt anyone else in the compound. Of course, in the shape he was currently in, I doubted he was able to do much.
The fact El Diablo hadn’t entered at the forward hatch of the aircraft with Wrath and Fury meant he intended to go in from the aft cargo hatch. Any question as to whether or not Shotgun had kept our president up to date on the information he was getting from Alistair’s phone was answered as he passed the man in question. As El Diablo approached Chris Alistair, he lashed out, crushing Alistair’s nose with the heel of his hand in one hard, vicious strike. Unfortunately, he didn’t knock the man out with the blow.
Alistair screamed, covering his nose with his hands. Blood poured through his fingers and dripped onto his lap. All the women hurried down the ramp except Andrea. She was closer to the front of the aircraft, a couple seats up from Alistair. She had her eye on El Diablo -- who didn’t spare her even a dirty look -- and completely overlooked Jezebel. I doubted it was a mistake Andrea would make again. I could have told her she was fucked either way. Jezebel was more bloodthirsty than El Diablo, and she had no qualms about hitting a woman. As was proved when she landed a hard, open-handed slap to Andrea as Jezebel passed her. Andrea whimpered, but didn’t say anything in her own defense. Which was probably a good thing, since anyone could see Jezebel wasn’t in the mood for it.
Holly chose that moment to open the door. She gave Andrea only a passing glance before looking away. I saw the pain in her eyes. No doubt everyone else could see it too. She gave El Diablo a small smile before going to Wrath. “I’m so sorry to have worried everyone.”
Wrath didn’t hesitate to enfold her in his arms. Celeste shoved her way onto the plane at the front where her husband and my father had boarded, then she hugged Holly from behind. Effectively, Wrath and Celeste surrounded Holly with their love where no one could get to her or hurt her anymore. All three of them stood there, clinging to each other. Wrath didn’t even try to hide the moisture shining in his eyes.
“Your mother was worried, honey. We’re both really glad you’re back home safe and sound.”
“Mom was worried, huh?” Holly chuckled through her tears.
“Yeah. She was.” Wrath sounded gruff as usual. If his voice was a little scratchy… well. It was dusty where the Osprey kicked up dirt when we landed.
“Tough guys don’t worry?” She was obviously trying to put her father at ease, but I knew Wrath could hear the distress in her voice because he squeezed her tighter.
“Yeah. Tough guys worry too, kiddo. At least this one does. You, your mother, and your sisters are my entire world. I know you’re not supposed to have favorite children, but you’ve got a special place in my heart no one else can touch, Holly.” Wrath cleared his throat. “Might have been because you were sick when I met you, but I’m pretty sure it was more the way you busted my balls for hurtin’ your mom’s feelings. Even at four years old, you didn’t let me get away with shit. Your sisters think I’m always right and never question anything I do, but you always keep me honest.”
That got a startled laugh from both Holly and Celeste. “You’re so full of shit,” Celeste said through a watery smile.
“What? They do! Just ask them. They never tell me I’m wrong or that I’m too overprotective, or that they want to date boys or some shit. They are my precious angels, and they love me as much as I love them.”
“No doubt about that last part, Daddy.” Holly smiled up at her dad. It was a genuine smile, even though there was still a world of pain in her eyes. She was enjoying this brief respite from the dumpster fire this day had been. “They manage you,” Holly said, patting Wrath on the chest in commiseration. “That way they can do whatever they want, and you don’t even realize they’re not where they’re supposed to be.”