Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Reeves took over, his friend having a master plan the entire time to foster a criminal enterprise and take advantage of a desperate population. People got hurt, arrested…
“Green Street and predators like Hugo Navarre exist because of me,” he explains. “Aro and all those other people were hurt because of what I helped start. It took on a life of its own, and I still don’t know how to end it.”
I move a little closer, just the couch between us. “Madoc would’ve helped—”
“One night,” he cuts me off, the story still not finished. “I challenged Reeves. We’d drive a junk car into the river. If he bailed first, he’d disband his tawdry little club. If I bailed first, I’d never step foot in Weston again.”
And I know the rest because Green Street still exists, and Lucas left the country. “You lost.”
“The moment I heard a scream coming from my trunk as water filled the car,” he retorts.
My heart sinks.
I knew someone died, but my God… For a second, I can put myself in the trunk. The horror of watching the water gushing in and being trapped, unable to escape.
And I can put myself in Lucas’s place, hearing the screams and knowing you can’t stop a sinking car.
My stomach knots.
“He was a cop with access to evidence and digital records,” he points out. “He could’ve forged anything, and he had a whole crew of men to say I did it on purpose.”
Piece of shit…
Drew made sure, no matter what, he was going to win that night. Son of a bitch.
I almost laugh at myself. Almost.
I understand my parents and brothers a little more now. Lucas made decisions he thought were harmless, not seeing until it was too late how fast your life can change. In one moment, he could’ve walked away. In the next, someone died. All the people who love me have experienced firsthand how detrimental seemingly easy decisions can turn out.
“I still would’ve told,” he assures me. “Until he threatened Madoc and Fallon and…”
I lift my eyes, Lucas blurry behind my tears.
…and all of us. Reeves threatened everyone he cared about.
If he could frame Lucas, he could frame my brothers too.
“I stayed for a while after that.” He starts moving toward me. “As close as I could to make sure you all stayed safe. But months later, I couldn’t look in the fucking mirror anymore. Someone was dead, and I wanted to die.” He pauses, the rims of his eyes red. “You think you know who you are and what you stand for, and it’s all shot to shit with a series of abominable decisions that kill any anticipation for the future. I wanted to go to the cops. I want to right now.”
He stands there, his T-shirt stretched over his chest as he slides his hands into his pockets. His eyes hold mine, pain etched on his brow as he stares at me as if waiting.
Does he think I hate him?
My heart aches, looking at him so far away.
“Come here,” I whisper.
He stays planted in place, his mouth opening and closing, like he’s trying to resist me.
But the only way out is through, and we start now. I could never hate him.
“Come here,” I tell him again.
He hesitates, but only for a moment. In two seconds, he’s in front of me, brushing my cheek, my hair, and then pulling me close. “I’m going to put everything back together,” he says, his voice strained. “But first, I need to make sure you’re safe.”
I stare at him through watering eyes. “What are you going to do?”
We hug, and he squeezes me so tightly, I can barely breathe.
“I’m going to go after him.” He tucks my head into his neck before I can tense. “And then they can put the handcuffs on me, and whatever happens, happens.”
I startle, sucking in a breath. “Lucas, no.”
I push against his hold, lifting my eyes to his. It could end badly. It will end badly. I could lose him forever.
Hasn’t he learned anything? He needs his family. We can help. Madoc needs to know everything. Now.
He holds my face, his hard voice steady and sure as he tells me again without hesitation, “I’m going to make you safe.”
Lucas
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I climb back through the mirror, seeing lightning flash across the street outside her shop window.
She chases after me. “No.”
Coming around my front, she snakes her arms around my waist, but I gently pull her off. I need to go. I’m going to find Drew before he has a chance to use me against Madoc.
She pleads with me. “Lucas, no.”
I move away from her and dial Farrow. He picks up the line. “I’m here.”
“Where’s Hugo right now?” I ask. If anyone knows where Drew is, it’s him.
Farrow sighs, realization dawning. “Ah, shit.”