Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
“Can we talk now?” I ask now that we’re back on the road. I’ve long since kicked off my shoes, and my legs are folded beneath me while his tires eat up the highway.
“Yeah.” Leo’s hand finds mine, holding it in his. “When I called Slade to tell him about your door, he told me your dad cancelled the security contract. His company had a mole, supposedly. I’m not sure I believe that at all. In fact, my gut is telling me something bad is happening behind the scenes. So, Slade told him I was taking you to your place before class this morning. This is where shit gets dicey. Are you able to get a hold of your professors and move your schedule around or do things remotely? Slade wants us to either get home to Virginia or go to a safe house he has set up.”
I close my eyes, tilt my head up, and let out a deep breath. What Leo is saying, it’s so plausible. Things are not adding up.
“I can take all of my classes remotely. All of my professors are laid back. I say we go wherever we need to. I only ask that you keep me informed. Don’t keep me out of the loop, okay?” I tell him. Allowing him to make these decisions isn’t something I’m taking lightly. Things could go from bad to worse, but I know from the very depth of my being that Leo isn’t like my father. Thinking about him causes me to shiver. Robert Sutton has his own agenda—he always has. My mother is just along for the ride, the financial ride, that is. Which doesn’t shock me because my grandparents left everything they owned to me. I have one more year until I’m able to access my inheritance. Being at my parents’ mercy really does suck. The saving grace is college. I busted my tail to get there, and it wasn’t because my parents donated a left arm to get me in.
“Tinsley, sweetheart, I know shit is happening fast. I’m not going to let anything happen to you and me, and I for damn sure won’t leave you out in the wind with no shelter. We’re in this together. Now, Slade is going to do some digging. While he’s doing that, we need to ditch your phone, nix using any credit cards from both of us, and figure out where you want to land.”
“My phone is turned off, but you can have it and do with it what you will. My credit cards aren’t a problem. I have cash put away in case I ever needed it.” Leo arches his eyebrow. We’re stopped at a red light and he’s looking at me.
“What? I’m always prepared. I was planning on leaving once I graduated in two years. This just moved things up a bit.” I shrug my shoulders in response.
“I can dig that. It’s up to you where we land,” Leo lets me know.
“Where’s the safe house?” I know Virginia is an option and is clear across the country, which would be amazing to experience for a road trip but would probably wear Leo out too.
“North Dakota,” Leo grunts.
“No, no, no. As if Washington isn’t cold enough, the safe house is in below frigid temperatures. I’m choosing Virginia.” I sit back and cross my arms across my chest, like a petulant child.
“Thank fucking Christ. I like my dick attached, and if it gets much colder, that shit won’t happen. I’d probably get frostbite,” he mutters while driving. His wrist is on the steering wheel, showing off his forearm. His other hand hasn’t left mine yet.
“That would really suck,” I joke.
“No doubt. You ready for a long-as-hell road trip and sleeping in hotels along the way?” he asks.
“With you? I’m ready for anything.” I return my eyes to the road, not sure if I want him to see just how much he means to me already.
Leo’s phone ringing saves me. I tune out who he’s talking to. Not like I could figure it out between the grunts, the nos, and the we’ll sees. The quiet hum of Leo’s vehicle along with the tree-lined roads and rain hitting the windshield as we drive on the interstate lulls me into a semi-calm state, my whole body relaxes along the way. I don’t have any doubts about the long-distance trek we’re about to make. What I’m worried about most is the repercussions Leo and Nighthawk Security could face. It makes me think things through, plot a couple of things out, and come up with a plan in case my father does something vile. And let’s face it, he’s never truly been the affectionate and doting parent. For that matter, neither has my mother, but something tells me this will cause all kinds of grief for everybody.