Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
"It's really important," Victoria continues. "It took her a long time to get to where she is, and although she still has a long way to go, if she loses too much momentum, she—" Victoria swallows as she looks away. "She needs the little victories."
"I'll encourage it as much as she'll allow," I tell the woman.
When she walks away, I have to wonder why I feel like I'm now responsible for Brielle's success.
The woman may be in my room right now, but that doesn't mean she'll be there in three hours, much less long enough to sit at a computer and complete schoolwork.
We’re at this location for another two hours before we head across town to the new house. Once again, we stay outside as the women head into their new home. The awful thing about this is that there's no real way to hide the fact that over a dozen women and children were evacuated from the previous location tonight. They had to be moved quickly, and that leaves not only room for error but it also means that if Nathan Adair had any of his goons watching this location, then they could've easily followed us to the new shelter.
We took all precautions we could, but a line of identical black SUVs with dark tint is going to draw attention. On the off chance that Nathan did get the opportunity to contact one of his men and demand retribution be taken against anyone in the house, we couldn't wait until the cover of darkness. The sun is sinking behind the horizon as we unload bags and suitcases from the backs of the SUVs and carry them to the front porch so the women can grab them.
"That's everything," I tell Boomer when he turns to head back to the SUV he drove.
"Okay," he says, drawing in a deep breath as he turns to look back at the front of the house.
"How many locations does Cerberus have in town?" I ask him because he's been involved with the formation of the shelter from the very beginning. It was something he readily took on without being asked, not that any of us other Cerberus members have to be commanded to help out around here.
The house we're looking at is huge, one of the bigger houses on the block, but they have to be to house so many people.
"I'm not sure," he answers. "Hopefully we won't have to find out if there's a third house. I'm going to stick around here for a few hours. Kincaid thinks we should work in shifts for a while to make sure that they're safe."
"I'll stay, too," I offer without hesitation.
I don't know if I'm quick to help because of the way my chest feels constricted with the idea of going back to the clubhouse with Brielle in my space.
Boomer and I stay for hours until we're relieved by Hemlock and Spade.
It's well after midnight by the time I step foot back into the clubhouse. After parking his SUV, Boomer gives me a quick wave before heading across the street where he lives with his partner Drake. I grab the two suitcases that contain everything Brielle owns before heading toward the front steps.
I’m met with complete silence, and it feels unfamiliar after a busy day. The soft glow from the EXIT signs guide my way toward the hallway and then down to my room.
I’m surprised the doorknob turns easily to my room, but then again, there's always a good chance that Em moved her to a different room or even has her at their house. The bedroom light was left on, making it very clear that there isn't a scared woman in here.
I situate the suitcases in the far corner with the plan to get them to her first thing in the morning once she's located.
I pull in a deep breath, refusing to analyze the constriction in my chest at her being gone, as I walk across the room.
With one hand, I pull up my shirt, all the while reaching for the doorknob to the closet. There's no telling what my day will look like tomorrow, so I need a quick shower and to get to bed.
It's not often that someone is capable of surprising me, but I jolt at the sharp intake of breath.
"Brielle?" I ask but then suddenly feel stupid because I'm staring right at the woman.
She's curled into a ball, her eyes lowered. I get the feeling it has more to do with trauma or training than the light making it hard for her to look up at me.
"Please don't hurt me," she whispers, her voice sounding not only broken but far away.
I don't know if she was awake already or if my coming into the room woke her up. It's possible she's a little disoriented or even in shock from what happened today.