Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“You’re going to need to explain,” I grit out, trying to remain calm when, inside, I’m freaking the hell out. If it ever got out that I was housing a stolen vehicle, the media would have a fucking field day.
My brother has announced his candidacy for president, which means everyone in our family is being watched under a microscope. It helps that I live in a small town and have stayed off the grid, but getting caught stealing would definitely place me in the spotlight.
“It was my husband’s,” she admits, glancing at the girls, who are still eating. “He bought it for me, but kept it in his name. When I left, I had no choice but to take it.”
Holy shit, there’s so much to unpack here, starting with …
“You’re married?”
She nods once. “Not by choice.”
Suddenly, the pieces start coming together—her nightmares, having no phone or money … living in a vehicle that’s stolen.
I’m about to ask her to explain when Addie shrieks, “Up, up!” letting us know she’s done and reminding me that the girls are awake and I need to go into the office today.
“Mommy, I’m done!” Violet announces. “Can we go in the pool now?”
“Poo!” Addie parrots.
“The girls need me, and I’m sure you need to go to work,” Kira says, as if reading my mind.
The uneasiness in her eyes makes me want to stay here so we can figure this all out because something is wrong, and I hate leaving it unresolved. But she’s right—the girls need her, and I do need to go to work.
“Okay,” I tell her. “We’ll finish this later.”
I give Addie a kiss on the top of her head and then take off. But I’m not even out of the neighborhood when I change my mind and turn around, something inside me telling me that I need to be home today. Whatever is going on with Kira needs to be discussed, but more importantly, as her nervous features replay in my head, I think she needs me.
When I walk back through the house, I find her doing the dishes while Addie and Violet play on the rug and watch a show.
“Dada!” Addie squeals, jumping up and toddling over to me.
I lift her into my arms and give her a kiss, then set her back down just in time to see Kira spin around, her eyes widening in …
Is that fear?
“What’s wrong?” I ask, walking over to her.
“Why are you back?” she asks, answering my question with a question.
“I asked you a question first. What’s wrong?”
“Are you going to fire me?” Another question instead of an answer.
“What?” I rear back. “Why the hell would you—” And then it hits me. She thinks I’m mad about what she told me. “No, I’m not going to fire you,” I hiss.
“Then, why are you back?” she asks, wrapping her arms across her chest in a defensive move.
“Because,” I say, stepping toward her, “it felt like this was where I needed to be.”
“Because you don’t trust me?”
She looks up at me with the saddest eyes, and I shake my head.
“No, Kira. I trust you,” I tell her honestly.
At first, was I worried about the stolen vehicle coming back to bite me in the ass? Yeah. But once everything started coming together, my only concern was for her.
“I came back because I need to know what happened so I can help you.”
Her eyes fill with unshed tears as she darts her gaze over to Violet, silently telling me that whatever is wrong, she doesn’t want to talk about it in front of her daughter.
I nod in understanding. “It’s been a heavy morning. How about we play hooky today?” I smirk, hoping to lighten the mood. When her eyes lighten a shade and her frown disappears, I know it’s worked. “We’ll take the girls to the water park, and once they’re passed out from exhaustion, we’ll talk.”
Her shoulders sag in relief. “Okay.”
“Hey, Violet,” I say, my eyes staying trained on Kira. “If I can convince your mom to go to the water park, can I have a doughnut?” I waggle my eyes at Kira, nodding toward where I know she’s sporting doughnuts under that cover-up.
The corner of her lips quirks in the beginning of a smile.
“You’re so bad,” she mutters, just before Violet yells through her giggle, “They’re not real!”
“Hmm,” I say, raking my gaze down Kira’s body, knowing I’m playing with fire. “I think I might need to find out for myself,” I murmur so only Kira can hear me.
Her cheeks warm at my insinuation, but she rolls her eyes to play it off. “Very funny, Ryder.” She gently shoves me out of the way as she saunters past me, not glancing back at me until she’s in the living room. “Go get your bathing suit while I get the girls ready to go.”