Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Since you want me to drop what I’m doing and run off on your errand.”
“I know you just finished a job, and you know I pay well above what the government does.” That is true, but this job isn’t about the money so much anymore.
I have money set up in a handful of banks. I don’t have much use for it. I’m always moving around. I could retire, but then what would I do all day? This is what I’m good at. It’s all I know anymore.
“You’re really starting to piss me off.” I pull back onto the highway.
“Kotov.” He says my last name, letting it hang in the air. Fuck me. Tristan is a cold, calculating motherfucker, but he’s one of the few people in this world I’d trust with my life if I had to. That swings both ways, and we know it. We just never say it.
“Send it over.”
“Already done.” Of course it is.
“I’ll be in touch,” I tell him, ending the call.
I swiftly access the information and click on the address to ensure I'm heading in the correct direction. The estate appears isolated, and based on the aerial shot, the dead old broad must have been wealthy.
I get a tickle at the back of my neck. This instinct has saved my life more than once. I trust it. It’s alerting me that something is off or different.
Good. Maybe this job will be more entertaining or intriguing than the others.
Little did I know, I had no fucking idea how true that would be.
Chapter Three
TEDDY
Ineed to cut down what I’m taking. The two bags are overflowing. What if I wore a bunch of it? Then I wouldn’t have to pack it. It would open up room for other things. Minnie nudges my thigh.
“You can’t come,” I tell her. I wish. “You’ll get to meet her soon.” I give her head a little scratch.
I’m going to miss her and Roland. I hate that I’m not telling him I’m leaving. I don’t want him to worry. I’ve already put a note on my nightstand for him.
As excited as I am for this adventure, I already miss home, and I haven’t left. I’m sure it’s the comfort, but I might be like Grams, a homebody. But I also might not know what’s out there and all the things I could be missing out on. I do have a list of things I would love to do.
“Come,” I tell Minnie, patting my bed. She hops up and stretches out. “You’re in charge around here. Got it?” She yawns, and I take this as confirmation and kiss the top of her head.
I grab my bags and pull a few things out, putting them on so I can shove more things inside. Is a lightsaber necessary? No, but it makes for a good flashlight. I also probably don’t need three crowns, but they each go with different outfits. I put one on my head and smile, thinking about Grams. We’d always wear them when we’d have our own parties in the garden.
I double-check to make sure I have my Kindle and the charger along with my wallet. I don’t have my credit card, but Mr. Gem is watching it, I think. Does he have the right to do that? I'm not sure. I need a lawyer to tell me about my own lawyer. Crap is complicated. I’ll worry about it when I get back. First, I need to get out of here. That way no one can talk me out of it.
I check the time, which I’m terrible with, or at least my concept of it. I always think things will only take a few minutes when in reality it is much, much longer. Tonight, I’m leaving ahead of time.
I give Minnie another kiss on her head before stepping out onto the balcony of my bedroom. I drop my bags over the side. It's only one floor down.
“I can do this,” I tell myself as I climb over the railing and then kneel, trying to grab the edge so I can dangle down before I let go. That’s the plan, however. I manage to get to the dangling, but fear has me not letting go.
It’s three feet, I remind myself. You’ll be fine; just let go, I order myself, but I don’t listen. Then I spot Roland entering the formal dining room, which is directly below my bedroom. I have no choice, and my fingers are starting to hurt, so I let go. I land on my feet but still manage to fall over. One of my bags breaks the fall. I hope I didn’t land on one of the crowns. Meh, Cartier will fix it for me.
I peek to make sure Roland is gone. He’s not, but his back is to the window, and he’s polishing silver that we never use. I pop up and grab my bags before taking off. When I think I’m far enough out of sight, I pull out my lightsaber to guide me to the south side of the estate where my ride should be waiting. So far so good, and everything is going according to plan.