Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I know, but there’s really nothing to tell.” I didn’t want to scare him, so I kept it simple. “We’re just going to hang out here for a couple of days.”
“I know there’s more to it.”
“Consider it an adventure.” I glanced around the small guest room and saw no reason why Ford wouldn’t be comfortable there. It was modest, with neutral walls, a dresser, a small desk, and large flat-screen TV. “It’s a new place with your own room and giant TV.”
“But I liked the hotel. They had cookies at the front desk and breakfast every morning.”
“I know. But this is just for a little while. Besides, we couldn’t stay at the hotel forever. And Holt was kind enough to let us stay here."
“Who is he anyway?”
“I already told you. He’s an old friend of mine.”
“Never seen him before.”
“We were friends when I was younger… before you were born.”
Ford studied me for a second like he knew there was more to the story. “He’s kinda scary lookin’.”
“It’s just a few tattoos. You’ll see right past them once you get to know him.” I gave him a look as I said, “He didn’t seem all that scary when you were talking about your game.”
“Yeah, I guess not.”
“Just give him a chance.”
"Okay."
That one word carried more trust than I deserved.
I stood and gave him a quick kiss on the top of his head. "How about I go see if there’s anything I can scrounge us up for breakfast?”
“Okay, but I’m not really hungry.”
“Maybe something to drink and a snack?”
“Yeah, that’d be good.”
“I’ll go see what he has.”
As soon as I started for the door, Ford reached for his bag and pulled out his game. I usually hated him having so much screen time, but today, it was a welcomed distraction. I stepped out of the room, and as soon as I started down the hall, I heard voices coming from the kitchen.
I didn’t think much about it until I heard Holt growl, “I’m not fucking around. I want the guys found, and I want them found now!”
“We’ll get Shep on it and see what he can find,” one of his brothers replied. “It shouldn’t take him long to track them down.”
“He should’ve already tracked them down,” Holt snapped. “I don’t get what’s taking him so goddamn long.”
I’d never heard Holt so angry and frustrated. I took another step and peeked around the corner. He was in the kitchen with Goose and Skid, and they all looked tense, especially Holt. “He needed more than the make of the car. Thanks to Skid, we have a plate number. Now, it’s just a matter of time.”
“I want them found, and I want them six feet under.”
Six feet under.
He wasn’t talking about scaring them off.
He wasn’t talking about calling the police.
He was talking about handling them in a way that didn’t leave room for second chances. It was a revelation that sent a chill down my spine.
I knew the minute I saw him standing on my front step that Holt wasn’t the same boy I’d once known and loved. He was rougher, harder, but hearing him talk like this came as a complete shock.
And yet, beneath the shock, there was something else.
A small, dark part of me that wasn’t horrified.
Instead, it was relief that I felt. Holt wasn’t going to let these men or anyone else hurt me or Ford. He was going to do whatever it took to stop them, and deep down, I knew that was exactly what we needed.
I didn’t want them to know that I’d been eavesdropping, so I eased back down the hall and quietly opened one of the bedroom doors. I immediately slammed it shut and walked with a harder step, making sure they heard me coming.
As soon as I walked in, Goose tapped Skid on the arm and said, “We best be going.”
“Yeah, I’m right behind you.”
They started for the door, and before they walked out, Holt called out to them, “Take her car. Have Memphis check it out for any tracking devices.”
“You got it.”
“I’ll be over in half an hour. Maybe less.”
“Take your time,” Goose answered. “We got you covered.”
With that, they climbed into my car and disappeared down the drive. Holt waited until he was sure they were gone before turning to me and asking, “You guys settled in?”
“We’re getting there.”
“Good. Can I get you anything?”
“Ford could use a drink and maybe something to eat.” I stepped further into the kitchen. “Do you have any crackers or chips?”
“Chips for breakfast?”
I shrugged. “I’m picking my battles today.”
“Understood.” He motioned his hand towards the pantry and said, “Help yourself.”
That’s when I noticed his knuckles. They were bruised and scratched. They hadn’t been like that when I came to talk to him the night before. I was tempted to ask him what happened, but I thought better of it. The last thing I wanted to do was overstep, especially when he and his brothers were doing so much to help us.