Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
My question about the kids has silenced Fischl, and it’s the non-answer that tells me all I need to know. The doppelgänger is not a doppelgänger. He’s my fucking son.
My throat aches from the howls that are lodged there. All those years ago, she disappeared, only to show up in this town with my kid.
“Why?” The word escapes me. “Why?” I shout. “Why? Why? WHY?”
In the back seat, Fischl snarls. “Why? Because you didn’t deserve him. You’re a bastard, and I didn’t want my son to be tainted by you!” The last words are screamed.
I jerk into the nearest empty lot and slam on the brake. “Me? I’m the bastard? You’re the one who ran off with my kid, didn’t even tell me and then turned up in my town years later. I’m the one who should be calling you names!”
“Don’t yell at me!”
“Don’t yell—” I stop shouting because sirens are wailing outside. I look and see a cop car pulling up. Big Ed climbs out and ambles over to knock on my window. I lower it slightly.
“Coop,” he says and tries to peer into my back seat.
Fischl comes up next to my shoulder. “Save me, Officer! I’ve been kidnapped,” she yells.
Big Ed arches his eyebrow. “Got something you want to share, Coop?”
“It’s not a kidnapping,” I reply as evenly as possible. It’s a challenge. I grip the steering wheel tightly so I don’t end up doing something I regret.
“Well, you don’t seem to be the type to need to lock up a woman, but since she’s saying that you’re not letting her go, I think the easiest way to resolve this is by you unlocking your doors and stepping out.”
“Can you just write that there was a domestic disturbance but that everything was resolved?”
“I’d like to.”
“I built your house.”
“And it’s a fine one, but the mayor called me. I guess this gal’s husband is old college buddies with him. Donated some money to his election campaign or something. If it were up to me, I’d be buying a donut right about now, but since it’s not…” He trails off.
I glance down at the steering wheel and contemplate how many years in prison I’d be willing to endure if I took off right now. Quite a few, I think. I start the truck. “Sorry, Big Ed, but this one stole my kid. I’m not giving her back just yet.”
CHAPTER 8
FISCHL
“Have you lost your mind!” I scream at him. “You’re going to go to jail. Just let me out like this fine officer said.”
“Fine?” he grumbles. It’s an all too familiar sound.
I can’t believe he’s giving me a hard time about a word I used to describe the officer when he just kidnapped me. Actually, I can believe it. Cooper was possessive from the second I met him. Until he suddenly wasn’t. I’m not sure what changed all those years ago, and I’m also not sure what has once again changed for him.
“You stole his kid?” Big Ed asks. Of course, he would point that out. Men always stick together no matter what.
“This is bullshit. I didn’t steal shit. I got the papers. You signed over your rights. The only name on his birth certificate is mine, and I fought to have that. I fought for him when they wanted me to give him away. So fuck you!” I’m not about to take shit from either one of them.
Both Cooper and Big Ed stare at me with wide, shocked eyes. I try to seize the moment and make my escape by diving into the passenger seat. My hands wrap around the handle to open the door, but Cooper’s giant ass arm comes out and stops me.
How has he gotten bigger? He already had a broad frame when we were kids. But now he’s all man. Not that I’m looking or anything. I’m just trying to size him up and figure out my next move.
“I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about,” Cooper grits out.
“Don’t curse at me, asshole!” I hiss at him. I’m so mad my hands start to shake. I try to get myself together, knowing exactly what’s coming next. But it’s too late, the stupid tears begin to roll down my cheeks before I can calm myself down. “Let me out.”
“Coop.” Big Ed finally speaks again. “Maybe you should let her out so you both can calm down.”
“I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Too. Late.” I snap out each word. Cooper stares at me, and I think that maybe he’s going to let this go.
This is a mess already. Sadie saw what happened. She's going to ask questions, and then Van will ask them too. I know she already called her dad based on what Big Ed said about the call that was made to the mayor. It didn’t go unnoticed by me how Cooper’s grip had tightened on the steering wheel when Big Ed said the word husband.