Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 48632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Whenever. I’m only a phone call away.” Colt heads back to the truck he was working on earlier today when I called, and I make my way to Letty. Her keys are in my hand, and damn if I’m not reluctant to give them back to her. I’d rather have her glued to my side by whatever means necessary. But there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell she would allow that to happen. She’d argue that she can do things on her own, and she’s right. She absolutely can, still doesn’t mean I have to fucking like it.
“You’re deep in thought.” Letty is staring off into space or really looking at one particular place in the shop, and I startle her when I speak.
“Yeah, sorry.” I take her hand in mine, the one she had near her mouth, entwining our fingers and giving it a firm squeeze.
“Anything I can help with?” I pocket her car keys in order to get my other hand on her, too. I wrap my hand around her lower back and pull her into my chest, placing my chin on top of her head, and finally, when she sinks into me, I can feel the weight of her worries lift away.
“You’ve done so much already. I’ll never be able to repay you as it is. I’m just thinking about how I’ve monopolized everyone’s day, what I can do to show my appreciation rather than voicing it. Tomorrow also starts another busy week, and sometimes I feel like I’m a hamster on a wheel, where all I do is stay in this never-ending cycle.” She gives me another piece of her without me having to pry it out of her. Fucking finally. Soon, she’ll realize I’ll be her safe place no matter what storm comes her way.
“Kitten, the last thing I want is for you to feel obligated to me. I think you realize what we have is important to me. It’s also permanent. We’ve got a future, one that I’m sure you see with me as well.” She tips her head up, and I lock eyes with her, showing the sincerity in my statement. “Now, since we didn’t get a chance to eat before Colt called, if you really want to show your appreciation and cook dinner, I’d be much obliged. It’s either that, or I’m going to starve.”
I’ve got an idea in mind: dinner, a glass of wine, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll lull her into tranquility, allowing me to talk her into staying the night. I’ll still have to figure out the rest of the week, and with any luck, at least tomorrow, I can have Jude look into things. There’s also the phone tracker, and I’m not above taking my work on the road, if need be, to watch out for her.
“Is that right? I can’t let you starve, I suppose.” Letty’s smile lights her up from the inside out. It’s fucking contagious.
“No, you really can’t. As for Colt and Locke, they’re good. They got paid regardless. Plus, I’ve helped them before. Don’t take on that worry. As for feeling like you’re in a rat race, the only advice I have for you is to lean on someone while you do what you really want.” Letty sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, teeth lightly depressing on its plushness, and her eyebrows furrow. I have a distinct impression that I’m not going to like what tumbles from her lips next.
“Besides my mom, who was all I really had to begin with, and now that she’s gone, I don’t have anyone.” Fuck, I didn’t think I could be gutted. Yet, with those words, she just filleted me wide the hell open.
“You have me, and with me comes a group of people who will no doubt have your back.” We’re childhood friends who stuck together well into adulthood, and each time a new member is added via the form of a wife, fiancée, girlfriend, or child, they pull out the welcome wagon and have no qualms about opening their arms to include anyone. As long as you’re not a piece of shit and don’t judge, we’re a good bunch. You get on our bad side, well, we rally and take care of fucking business. It’s mostly us guys who deal with a lot of the issues. But we all saw Shae’s claws come out to play when an incident happened at Luke’s office. Then the girls got in on the action, helping devise a plan, and we learned they can take care of their own.
“Matthew, there are more pieces to this puzzle. And to follow up on what I skipped over, not on purpose, obviously, I, well, I want this. I want us. It’s just that I’ve got a lot of baggage, and while right now, I can’t really talk about it, I promise when I’m ready, I’ll tell you more. As far as your friends, I figured they were good people when you recommended Ophelia’s, and three of them hired our service.” Letty stops talking for a moment, and it solidifies that I’ll be showing back up at Jude’s tomorrow, probably with the gang in tow. It’s either that, or I send out a text, cluing everyone in, and we meet up at Johnny’s. Either way, I’m going to make it happen.