Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Understanding dawns on me all at once. “Why didn't it do more damage?” he whispers. “Why set off a bomb that was never meant to kill anyone?”
His phone rings, and he answers without looking at it, too busy staring at the house like he's seeing it for the first time. “Yeah?” he barks before hearing something on the other end that makes him turn on the speaker.
“It's a fucking trap.” Sebastian, his voice tight, the words coming so fast they almost overlap. “Dominic did it. It was a distraction. He's out there somewhere, nearby. You've gotta stay where you are and keep a watch out for him. I can send my guys to help.”
There's another bomb—the one that's now going off inside my head, tearing everything I thought I knew to pieces. It's all so fucking obvious now that the panic has worn off. “He knew I would send her away. Fuck!”
All it takes is one look exchanged between us before I bolt, running for the car and throwing myself behind the wheel.
This is what he wanted. He wanted her away from the house. He was looking to flush her out much in the same way we've been trying to flush him out all this time.
And as I tear down the driveway, I can almost imagine Dominic sitting in a car down the road, watching everything unfold. Waiting for the truck to return, counting down the seconds before detonation. After that, it was only a matter of time before I sent my little bird to safety.
I fumble with the phone, eyes on the road as I swing the car around. Tires squeal, and I almost lose control before righting the vehicle and flooring the gas pedal.
Bianca's phone rings with no answer. “Pick up!” My roar fills the car with no one to hear it except me. Fuck, did she even bring her phone? Was it on her when Charlie took her away?
I know he's got his phone, since I gave him the address and he plugged it into GPS.
Yet it, too, keeps ringing. Every unanswered ring is a knife to my chest.
The gas pedal is almost touching the floor by the time I reach the interstate. The blaring of horns fades to the background as I weave from lane to lane, the cars around me blurring while I speed past them.
They're out there somewhere.
Possibly caught in the trap set for them.
A trap I pushed them into in an effort to protect her and our unborn child.
BIANCA
“This isn’t easy for me,” my father rambles on as we reach the interstate and merge into traffic.
It’s not very heavy at this time of night, and I hope we don’t end up getting stuck in a jam somewhere. The sooner we are at the safe house, the sooner I’ll be able to breathe easier. Not easy, but easier than I am now, with my heart in my throat and a sense of dread drumming in my head.
“You think it’s fun for me?” I counter. “I don’t like this any more than you do.”
“You have a choice. That’s what I need you to get through your head. You don’t have to go through this.” His hands tighten around the wheel, his shoulders rising as he takes a ragged breath. “He doesn’t own you. You get to make your own choices.”
“I realize all of that.”
“Are you sure?”
The anger bubbling in his voice tells me I need to take a breath and smooth things over before we steer this conversation into dangerous territory. What I need most at this point is his support to keep me centered, and that’s not going to happen if we’re sniping at each other and hurling ugly words.
“I know it sounds crazy,” I begin as calmly as I can.
“I can think of a few other adjectives for it.”
My teeth sink into my tongue. Don’t take the bait. Don’t let this devolve any further. “I’m sure you can, and I don’t need to hear them.”
“I don’t know what else I can say to get through to you.”
“It’s not a matter of getting through to me. Would you please stop? I’m upset enough as it is.”
Captain Last Word won’t let it go at that. “You don’t need this. That’s all I’m saying.” Before I can argue, he holds up a hand and shakes his head. “Listen to me. I understand I was wrong about Callum. But that doesn’t make him a good guy. Even if he was, he’s involved with too many people who aren’t. And they want to hurt him.”
When all I do is stare out the window, still biting my tongue, he sighs. “You know that old saying? You don’t just marry a person. You marry their family. That applies here, too. You are looking to get involved in this entire world, and you’re carrying a child. Do you want them exposed to this?”