Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 73192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
After an appeal that was also shot down, I realized that the corruption that I’d worked so hard to fix in the police department was just the tip of the iceberg.
There was plenty more rot in the lines of justice and it wouldn’t be fixed in just a couple of days.
Bennett had said he had connections—connections that he hadn’t worked yet because he didn’t want to jeopardize everything that he’d worked so hard for before—and that he would pull those strings if I thought it was necessary.
And at this point, I wasn’t sure what was and wasn’t necessary.
Which was why I was contacting an old buddy that I’d met during a tour in Afghanistan. He wasn’t a great guy and honestly, I wasn’t even sure that he’d be willing to help me despite my saving his life, but I took that step two days ago in hopes that he would get back to me.
Then there was Rafe and Janie, the dynamic duo who were so stealthy and slippery that I hadn’t quite counted on their effectiveness.
However, short of doing it the illegal way—which was the way they were doing it—I had my hands tied.
If this was to be legal, I’d have to make sure that I didn’t cross any immoral lines.
I did not want to be the person who stooped to that level…unless I had to.
The moment another hair was touched on Reagan’s head, my morals would be put aside and I’d do what I had to do.
But I was hoping that it wouldn’t come to that.
I was hoping, probably naively, that Dusty would see the error in his ways and give up.
Then again, after Reagan reported the attempted rape, Dusty would have some legal troubles headed his way—if we could find the bastard.
On my agenda today was to go talk to the man who had filed the trespassing charges on Reagan and hope that he saw the error of his ways too.
Because if he didn’t, he’d go down right along with Dusty once I got things taken care of on my end.
“You’re being awfully quiet,” she murmured against my chest, pressing a single kiss to the muscle of my pec.
I squeezed her tighter. “I’m thinking.”
“What are you thinking about?” she asked hopefully.
I didn’t want to bother her with my worries since I knew that she was well past worried herself, so I lied.
“I’m thinking about whether or not I’ll be able to eat lunch and leave Groot in the car,” I admitted. “And if I do, if he’ll eat my car seat cushions.”
He’d already eaten my couch, two walls, and the bathroom sink—literally. He’d chewed off one corner of the vanity that held the sink itself up. I didn’t trust him in my truck, nor did I trust him outside unsupervised since I’d seen him sink instead of swim.
Which meant he’d have to come with us everywhere.
“Why didn’t we crate train him again?” I asked curiously.
“Because when you put him in the crate, he broke it.” She repeated the same thing she always repeated, a smile on her face.
I groaned.
“What time do you have to leave?” I asked, hoping we had a few more minutes together.
But before I could finish looking down into her face and asking my question, the doorbell rang, followed by two knocks in quick succession.
“Shit,” I groaned, letting her go reluctantly.
It wasn’t easy letting her go, that was for sure.
But I did, because I couldn’t suffocate her or stuff her in a tiny little box to keep her safe. She had to be able to live her life and she was drawing strength from me and my will of iron.
Letting her go reluctantly, I walked to the door, checked the peephole and then yanked it open with surprise.
“What are y’all doing here?” I asked my sisters.
Rhys was with them, as were their thirty-two children. Alana had Autumn on one hip and a massive beach bag hanging from the opposite arm. Henley had another beach bag, along with two diaper bags. Then there was my mother, bringing up the rear, with Rhys’ and Henley’s youngest.
“We’re here to have a lake day,” Alana pushed through.
The moment she saw Reagan standing there, she walked over to her and offered her a kiss on the cheek.
Henley followed suit, but she dropped all of her personal belongings—likely half her closet—and wrapped Reagan up in a hug.
“How’re you holding up?” Henley asked.
Reagan wrapped her arms around Henley and I felt something in my chest tighten at seeing my family get along so well with my girl.
“I’m better. I promise,” Reagan promised.
Rhys put the two car seats down farther out of the way of the door, then offered me his hand.
I took it and shook hands with him before dropping it.
Mom scooted past and walked up to the semi-circle of women, allowing Rhys to speak to me privately.