Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I already knew I shouldn’t trust men. I thought I’d learned that lesson well enough for it to last a lifetime, but all it took were a few kisses, and I was ready to be played again.
I thought I was dumb about Rick, but it turns out I was just getting started. I only hurt myself when I let Rick deceive me, but now the people I care about most got hurt, too, all because I’m so fucking stupid.
“The worst part isn’t what they did to me,” I say. “It’s how they had no regard for my sister. It should be the best day of her life, and now a drug bust will be her prevailing memory.”
“Do you think it’s really true?” Marissa asks. “That her new husband’s father is involved in drug smuggling?”
“It seems so.”
“That’s kind of scary, that she married into that family.”
“I can’t believe there’s any way Adam is involved.” The thought had never occurred to me until just now.
“I sure hope not,” Marissa says.
“They weren’t putting Adam in handcuffs, at least not while I was there.”
Ana shakes her head, as if in a daze. “Wow, this is all so wild. I just can’t believe it.”
Marissa rests her hand on mine. “Callie, would you like something to eat? Maybe some toast?”
“I’m not hungry at all. My stomach was sick last night.”
She gets up from the couch. “Maybe some tea, then? I’ll make a cup for you.”
“You don’t have to do that, but thank you.”
“I’d better check my phone,” I tell Ana as I get up, too. If Adam is somehow tangled up in all this, my sister might need me, if she can stand to see me.
As I wait for my phone to restart, I remember that we all should have been at brunch today, celebrating the newlyweds, sending them off on their honeymoon. I wonder if anyone is even still at the resort.
There’s a message from Sadie on the screen, and my heart is in my throat as soon as I see her name. All it says, though, is “Where are you? What happened?” It’s from yesterday.
“I’m so sorry, Sadie. So so sorry. I’m at home. I hope you’re okay.” My message goes through as delivered, but not read.
I’m shocked that there are no messages from my mom, and almost a little worried about the lack of communication, but maybe she’s too irate to even scream at me through text or voicemail.
There are both text and voice messages from Max and Miles, but I refuse to read or listen.
A memory pops into my head—Miles telling me we should go back inside during Sadie’s reception, because it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. One that he had no problem destroying, apparently.
Did I even know anything true about either of them? The level of deception is incredible.
I return to the living room, phone in hand, with the hope of hearing back from Sadie. Just as Marissa brings in the cup of tea, there’s a knock at the door.
CHAPTER 58
CALLIE
“It’s them,” Marissa says, after peeking through the curtains.
I’d nearly forgotten that they knew where I lived. I never should have let Max pick me up here, though of course, with their jobs, I’m sure they could easily find out where I lived on their own.
I can’t believe they have the nerve to come here.
Marissa bites her bottom lip. “Want me to send them away?”
Before I can answer, Ana says, “Maybe you should see them, Callie. Get it over with, and give them a piece of your mind while you can. We’re here, and we have your back.”
I blink back a few tears that come for an entirely different reason from the million that preceded them yesterday.
I’m not alone.
I may not have my family anymore, and I definitely don’t have the men I thought I might, but I have my new friends, and I’m so grateful.
“Let them in,” I tell Marissa.
The men step in, after greeting Marissa politely, and though my anger flares hotter than a thousand suns when I see them, a small, traitorous part of me notices how good they look in the jeans and t-shirts they’re wearing. They look like the regular guys I thought they were when I met them, not special agents, not even wedding guests.
“Callie. Hi. Thanks for seeing us.” It’s Max doing the talking, with Miles at his side looking pained.
They both nod to Ana, then stand awkwardly in the entry, waiting to be invited in further, but I’m not in the mood for pleasant manners.
Instead, I get right to the point, pinning them in place with narrowed eyes. “How could you?”
Miles flinches as if my words are a physical blow. Max glances at the vacant chairs in the living room. “Can we come in and talk?”
Not entirely sure that meeting with them is a good idea now that I’ve seen them, I let out a huff.