Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“I forgot, you’ve been out of the loop all day because of your exam,” Rowan says matter-of-factly.
“Out of the loop?”
“Max comforted me the night I found out Achilles was shot,” Harley declares.
“He helped run the operation that saved me and Rowan from her psycho ex,” Jewls adds.
“Max got to me first after I shot a man,” Rowan offers like it explains everything.
“I know he’s like family and it sucks he’s not able to come to the wedding. You have to be disappointed.”
“She doesn’t get it.” Jewls tsks.
“Give her credit. She’s new to the clandestine lifestyle,” Harley says.
“It is a lot to take in. I remember that first drug bust and how Ford was…”
“Excuse me, but I’m right here. What am I missing?”
“Max doesn’t miss anything. He’s got rank and respect in the Marines. We don’t buy the slack excuse that Max can’t make the wedding.”
“You don’t think he’s tied up with work?”
“We’re scared he’s actually tied up.” Jewls crosses her wrists.
Understanding washes over me, and I reach for the counter to steady myself as my imagination goes berserk. “Oh my God, you think he’s in danger?”
They nod solemnly.
“Maybe you should have a seat.” Harley scoots a stool my way.
“Why would they lie to us?” My voice is borderline pitchy.
“They have no choice. It’s a security clearance thing, or some bullshit like that.” Jewls waves it off.
“It’s up to us to figure out how deep this goes and be prepared.”
“Prepared for what?”
“Anything,” they answer in unison.
My stomach dives to the floor. “Like, prepare for the worst?”
Harley jumps to her feet, taking my elbow and urging me to the stool. “Doll, you better sit down.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening here.”
“We need to be ready to care for the guys,” Rowan clarifies.
A bottle of water is placed in front of me.
Worry lines etch at the creases of their eyes as they take me in with caution.
These are the strongest women I know.
They aren’t freaking; they’re convening on how to support and react when and if the time comes.
I shake out of my stupor, straightening my spine.
There’s a man out there we all adore who is potentially in danger. A man who didn’t know me and still waded into the messy business of my sister.
He’s friend and family to this crew.
Which now includes me.
“We don’t have much time. Think you can give me a crash course in how this may go?”
They grin approvingly.
Then my schooling begins.
I sweep through the kitchen once more, making sure nothing is out of place. A rustling, followed by a canine snore, pulls my attention to the living room where Wolf and Mack are laid on each side of Wyatt, whose eyes are finally drooping.
I go to him, sitting at the end of the air mattress. “Hey, buddy.”
“Hey, Lolo.”
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Because I’m scared.”
My heart squeezes, and I grab his hand. “You want me to sleep with you?”
“No, I’m scared that if I fall asleep, the funnest day of my life will end.”
I grin at his term, knowing exactly how he feels. “That’s understandable.”
“It is?”
“Sure, you’ve had a great day. What was your favorite part?”
His green eyes are exhausted but bright with delight. “All of it.”
“How about winning the game?”
“That was cool.”
“The ice cream sundae?”
“It was good.”
I still haven’t hit the mark.
“Hmmm.” I scratch my chin and pretend to ponder. “How about when Talon surprised us with a pool party, cook-out, and double dose of s’mores?”
I know I’ve hit the mark, but there’s one more thing. “Or the fact Talon, Ford, Ace, Major, Finn, Robbie, and Declan built you this massive and highly engineered fort?”
And that’s it, his face lights up brighter than Christmas. “Isn’t it awesome?”
“It’s beyond any fort your dad and I made as kids.”
“That’s because Uncle Talon is a pro-fes-sion-al.”
I swallow my laugh at his emphasis. “Yes, he is.”
“I love him, Aunt Lolo.”
My chest constricts and nose stings at his declaration. “I do, too, buddy.”
“Daddy said you live here now.”
“Your dad is partly right.”
I still refuse to admit it completely. Call me stubborn, but it’s fun.
“Next time I stay over, we will be here?”
“For now. Talon and I are working on our own place.”
“Will you let us build forts and eat s’mores in the pool?”
“I don’t think we’ll have a pool, but you can eat s’mores, build forts, and play cornhole all you want.”
“I wasn’t good at cornhole, the other kids beat me.”
“That’s because they’ve had a lot more practice.”
“Finnley said she’d help me next time.”
Not surprised Robbie and Ember’s daughter is as sweet as her mom.
“Well, that’s proof we’ll have many more fun days like today.”
He takes his hand back and curls up on his side, fatigue winning out.
“Love you, Wyatt,” I whisper, rubbing his back until he’s snoring lightly.
The scent of cypress, pine, and mint fills our space and I turn to see Talon leaning against the wall. He’s shirtless, small pebbles of moisture clinging to his chest and shoulders, his hair wet from the shower.