Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 152853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 764(@200wpm)___ 611(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 764(@200wpm)___ 611(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
She's opening the door to go inside when my phone rings. Timing is everything. One thing I know for sure: I'm not about to tell Callum what she's doing. It's probably not worth mentioning, since it's not like she's going to work at a gas station. Not Tatum. She’ll do plenty of things to fuck with me, but she has limits.
“Boss?” I murmur upon answering, one eye on the store. She's waiting in line behind a couple of teenagers buying sodas, while a man in a dark suit and an expensive haircut stands behind her. He must be the owner of the Porsche—not exactly a car one sees much up around here.
“Any updates?”
Your daughter is currently handing in her resume at a gas station. “Nothing since she blocked Jeff's number a few nights back. Things have been pretty quiet.”
“That’s good to hear. I knew you would call if anything happened, but…”
“I get it.” He’s not exactly big on patience, especially concerning things he cares about. There isn't much in this world he cares about more than his daughter besides Bianca and the baby she's carrying.
“Actually,” I continue, still watching her, “I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I might have the beginning of an idea of how we can get rid of him. I need a little time to pull it together, but I think we can manage it.”
“By all means.”
“Let me do a little digging, and I'll update you in a day or two.”
“Otherwise, is she okay?”
“She's fine. Stopped at the gas station during a walk, and she went in to grab a snack.”
“Does Vinnie still own the place?”
“His name’s on the sign, but I don't see him around.”
“Christ, I thought he was an old man when I was a kid. He must be in his eighties by now. I guess not much has changed.”
“Except for what you've changed. It looks nice around here. More like a tiny little town, and less like a town you put your foot to the gas pedal as you pass through.”
“That was the idea.”
She starts to walk toward the door with a plastic shopping bag in hand. “I'd better let you go. Like I said, we'll touch base, but everything here is fine.”
“Tell her we’re thinking about her, and Bianca said she'll call her later.”
“I'll let her know.” I end the call, surprised when she stops with the door halfway open and looks over her shoulder like someone caught her attention. It's the guy in the suit, and he's standing much too close to her for my liking. I'm on my way before I know it, crossing the paved lot in seconds, almost throwing the door open.
I'm in time to hear him say, “Give it some thought. I could use a pretty face in the office. People like to see a girl like you when they first walk in.”
“What's going on?” I ask, standing close to her while I glare at him.
His overly bright, hard smile doesn't do much to soothe my suspicions, and I can’t help noticing the hardening of his dark eyes. Like he can tone down the charm now that I’m here. “Hi, there. Chaz Drummond. I'm handling a few projects in the area and could use some administrative help. I overheard your girlfriend asking about a job.”
I don't bother correcting him, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. It's better if he thinks she's taken. “Come on, babe. We better get going.” She nods, looking overwhelmed with her pale face and eyes as wide as saucers. He got too close to her. Only now do I notice her trembling body against me.
“Here, take my card.” He holds it out, and she snatches it away before tucking it in her pocket without a word. It doesn't seem like he’s put off by her behavior or that he even notices. I steer her out of the store and wait until we're outside to speak.
“It's okay.”
“He was, like, on top of me all of a sudden. I almost hit him.”
“I know. I’m sorry I didn't get to you sooner.”
“No.” She's breathing hard, her face twisted into a mask of rage that only intensifies with every step. “No, damn it. I refuse to spend the rest of my life afraid to go out in public or be around people. I need to get over this, and that's only going to happen by exposing myself to people. Right?”
I want so much to tell her she's wrong, but that would be unfair. And I am the one who told her she needs to start healing. “Right. You're right. And you handled it well.”
“Well? I almost peed my pants.”
“I couldn't tell.” She releases something close to a giggle, and it's only once we're halfway down the block that I realize I still have my arm wrapped around her. As soon as I realized it I let her go, but there’s reluctance in my muscles. This is what she needs. She needs to remember how strong she is, and that's not going to happen if I baby her.