Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 69772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Silas nodded, and I gestured for them all to come inside.
They fell into step beside and behind me as I explained the rest of what happened before we entered the house.
I felt my heart seize in my chest when I saw Shayne sitting in my favorite, worn out recliner. Just like she used to do in my room once upon a lifetime ago.
God, those memories felt like shots to the chest.
I rubbed it absently as Sawyer and Silas walked into the house, my dad hanging back with me.
“I feel like we just reversed in time to when I used to catch you sneaking her into your room,” Dad mused as he shouldered me out of the way and kept walking farther inside.
“I never snuck her into my room,” I lied.
I would continue to lie about that until my deathbed.
“You so totally did,” I heard from behind me.
I looked at my sister and flashed her a wink. “Nope. You must be getting me confused with a different brother.”
She poked me between the shoulder blades before bumping me with her hip on the way past.
“What are you two doing here?” Shayne beamed.
“We’re here to make sure that you’re alive,” Silas told her bluntly. “We’ve heard quite a few horror stories.” He looked back at me and narrowed his eyes, as if he hadn’t liked what he heard.
We exchanged a look.
Me acknowledging that I’d fucked up. And him telling me that I’d fucked up.
“Those horror stories weren’t true,” Shayne said, quickly looking away from Silas to his wife. “I’m glad to see you, Sawyer. How are you?”
“I’ve got to say, I’m doing a hell of a lot better than you,” she teased as she walked forward and placed the vase of flowers onto the table next to Shayne’s chair.
“I have to ask,” Ande said as she took up the seat next to Shayne. “How did you get those over here on a motorcycle?”
“We found the closest flower shop to the house,” Silas answered.
“I’m surprised you found it. GPS usually sends you way out of the way.” Ande crossed her legs.
I was more curious how he found the actual location.
The address wasn’t even on Google yet, which was why my sister had trouble finding the subdivision when Quaid, Quincy, and I had first moved in.
But more so, I hadn’t given him my address, and it was likely that Shayne hadn’t had time to, either.
Then again, I didn’t question Silas McKenzie about anything.
The man was an enigma.
“I have ways,” Silas said cryptically. “How long did they say you were going to be out? I have a friend who’s gonna cover for me, but he doesn’t like being away from his wife and kids that long.”
“I should be up and running in about two weeks,” Shayne answered. “Is it Cleo?”
Who was this Cleo character? And why did her knowing another man’s name piss me the fuck off?
“It’s Cleo,” Sawyer confirmed. “And don’t let Silas make you feel bad. Rue, Cleo’s wife, is heading down here with him. They’re going to treat it like a mini-vacation. And since Rue is in love with spoiling her grandchildren, she’s going to treat this trip like an extended shopping spree.”
Well, that made me feel infinitely better. At least the fucker was old enough to have grandkids, meaning I could calm my tits.
Or, maybe just one of them.
“I’ll bet.” She looked past them to me. “Are you going to stand there looking intimidating, or are you going to offer our guests a beverage?”
My lips twitched. “I’ll definitely offer them a beverage.”
I left them in the living room after getting their drink orders, unsurprised when I found Silas and my dad following me.
“What’s the verdict with the woman who beat her up?” he paused. “And does it seem weird that Shayne never fought back?”
“Well,” I gave him a recap of what happened during the warrant. “It wasn’t like she could’ve fought back for that one. Not without being slapped with resisting arrest.” I ran my hand over the back of my neck aggressively. “Elliette Garrison, the officer who hurt her, was released on bond last night after meeting with the judge.”
“So y’all pressed charges?” he asked.
“She did, for both instances,” I answered.
“And what’s the status of this case?” he asked. “What’s with the brother? Is the DA going to write off any involvement on Shayne’s end?”
I sighed. “The new DA is a complete and total asshole and is out to prove his worth. He’s punishing everyone who’ll bring him clout to the nth degree. Hell, there was a lady in court yesterday who was given a misdemeanor for jaywalking.”
Dad crossed his arms, looking annoyed. “Leslie Tanner is a fuckin’ lunatic. Last week he charged a new mom with child endangerment because she, and I quote, left her in a car. The mom didn’t leave her in a car, though. She was in the car with her. With the windows down. However, when the cops were called, it was when the woman had just parked. When the cops showed up, it was a rookie who felt like it was too hot outside and the baby was suffering. The DA ran with it, even though the baby was in a diaper, it was seventy-five degrees out, and the mom was with the baby.”