Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
gabe
Reid and I end up at Walker Security looking for outside resources that protect our families, and the company’s reputation. We’re trying to deal with our father objectively and smartly. But deal we must, of this we both agree. We sit in a conference room side by side, across from Blake and his man, Savage, talking through options to leash our father once and for all.
“Sometimes,” I say, “I feel like we’re caught in a superhero movie, the same villain to fight over and over. I used to be Batman and now, I’m Superman thanks to my own Lois Lane. I can’t kill the bastard.”
“Amen to that,” Blake and Reid both say.
“Been there,” Blake says.
“Living that,” Reid adds.
“I’m not,” Savage interjects. “I’m fucking Batman on steroids. You want him dead?”
I’d laugh, but this is Savage, a former Green Beret, with a long scar down his cheek, and a crazy fucking attitude. He could well be serious. “It would be easier.”
“The world would be a better place,” Reid agrees, and we both share a look. We’re not serious about killing him, but we both believe he’s pure evil.
“Let’s talk about Superman options,” Blake says, the reason in the room.
“Jail time or shipping him off to another country,” I suggest.
“Another country is a better option,” Reid replies, “at least from our company perspective, but how do we do that and ensure he’s gone? Really gone? He can’t cause trouble.”
“The only thing he understands is threats,” I say.
“And our threats have proven less than effective,” Reid reminds me. “He keeps fucking showing up, like acid in a rainstorm.”
“Then you haven’t used the right ammunition,” Blake replies.
“And he feels no fear,” Savage adds. “Fear motivates men, even those who like to seem as if they feel no fear.”
“How do you motivate fear in those who have a high ceiling?” I ask. “That’s the real question.”
“Money,” Reid says. “He doesn’t want to be without it.”
“That’s not enough,” I say, throwing out another idea. “Prison. Real fear of prison.”
“We tried that once,” Reid counters. “We have the ammunition to put him in jail. I have proof of many of his crimes.”
“He linked you to his crimes to control us,” I remind him.
“Then it can’t come from us,” he says.
“Jean Claude,” I supply.
“We don’t want to owe Jean Claude,” Reid says. “That’s holding us prisoner as well. He’d go after our women.”
Blake’s phone rings and he glances down at the number and frowns before hitting the answer button. “Abbie?”
I stiffen, sharing a look with Reid before watching Blake’s face. “When?” he asks. “No. You did absolutely right by calling me. Don’t do anything. I’ve got this handled. More soon.” He disconnects.
“What the fuck?” I demand. “What’s handled?”
“You. She called me because she was afraid you’d go after your father.”
“I told her I was going after him. Damn it.” I scrub my jaw. “What is she thinking?”
“That your father went after you this morning.”
My eyes narrow and ice slides down my spine. “What does that mean?”
“Yes,” Reid states. “What does that mean?”
“Your father kidnapped Dexter from the dog walker and then called Abbie and told her to come get Dexter. He told her that if she told you, he’d let Dexter run free in traffic.”
I curse and stand up. “That’s fucking priceless. Fuck Superman. I’m going to kill him.” I turn to the door and Savage steps in front of me.
“Think first,” Savage says while Reid joins me.
“Move, Savage,” Reid orders.
“Both of you deep breathe and talk to me,” Blake interjects.
Reid and I whirl on him. “We need to deal with this,” I say. “Now, before my damn dog gets hurt.”
“Abbie called me for a reason, Gabe,” Blake replies, on his feet now. “She doesn’t want you to end up in jail. What’s your father’s endgame?”
Reid looks at me. “He doesn’t know we made the agreement with Jean Claude. He’s trying to get it signed.”
“And he wants his money from the real estate development deal.” My lips thin. “The same reason he had Abbie’s ex-husband killed. Damn it, I need to get to Dexter.”
“We’ll go together,” Blake says. “You and me. Just you and me.” He pats the gun at his hip. “And my weapon. If anyone takes action, it’s me and if you press that, I’ll hit you with the damn thing.”
“I’m coming,” Reid replies. “You need me. He’ll use me against Gabe and he can’t do that when I’m there.”
“Well, fuck,” Blake murmurs. “I guess we’re all going.”
I eye Savage. “Get Abbie. Take her home so when I get there with Dexter she’ll be able to see him.”
“What do you want me to tell her?”
“That she’s right. I’m not my father.”
With that, Reid and I exchange a look of understanding. We might want to hurt that bastard, but all the women in our lives, including our mother, want him saved. So we’ll save him. Unless he hurts my damn dog. Then he dies.