Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 70646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
She dismissed that with a wave of her hand.
Bella laughed.
“Or what about you, Bella? How about when I was in boot camp, and you came to the graduation only to show up drunk and fucked up on drugs and embarrassed me on the one fuckin’ day that I managed to get all on my own?” I asked. “You passed out in the middle of the floor, vomited on yourself and three other people, and then got up when the ambulance arrived, refused treatment, then went to sit back down beside our drunk mother to finish the ceremony with vomit all over your clothes and not a care in the world?”
Bella rolled her eyes.
“Those are just the instances that I can remember off the top of my head,” I said. “That’s not including all the times you stole every single dollar out of my pocket. All the times you stole my car. All the times you hocked something of mine that I managed to buy on my own.”
Sergeant Jackson laughed. “Those aren’t very good reasons to tell them that they can’t be here, Vineyard.”
“That’s not how it works, Jackson,” I heard called. “And you damn well know it.”
Surprised since I hadn’t heard the newcomer arrive, I looked up and spotted not Ford, but someone better—at least when it came to this particular situation.
It was Luke Roberts, the chief of police.
“Um, Chief,” Jackson said, straightening.
“If Pascha Vineyard wants his mother and sister off his property, then they have to go,” Luke said, ignoring his greeting.
I winced at the use of my first name.
Another squad car pulled up then, and an officer that I’d seen before but hadn’t actually been introduced to, got out.
“Officer Marks, please take these two women to a hotel in town,” Luke asked politely. “If they can’t afford the hotel, take them to the shelter.”
My mom and sister, realizing that they’d lost this round, went with Officer Marks without another word.
Luke waited until they were in the squad car before he turned to Sergeant Jackson.
“One more instance like that, and you’re gone,” he said. “I’m tired of hearing that you’re not doing your job nowadays.”
Jackson stiffened imperceptibly at the reprimand.
“Sir, I…”
Luke held up his hand. “No. No more. You and Vineyard need to be at least five hundred feet apart at all times.”
Relief flooded through me.
“And I don’t want you taking over any more calls just because it has to do with Vineyard. I’ve caught onto your game. This is harassment,” Luke continued.
Sergeant Jackson’s lips thinned.
“Head out,” Luke ordered.
The moment that Jackson stepped off of the porch and headed to his squad car, the door to my back opened and Oakley stepped out.
I felt her come up behind me and lean against my shoulder. Her face rested against my bicep as she said, “Hello, Chief Roberts.”
Luke grinned down at Oakley.
“Thanks for your call,” he said. “Though, I could’ve done without the ‘get your ass here fast or else’ comment at the end.”
Oakley shrugged. “I’m tired of dealing with him.”
I stiffened and looked down at her.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me something?” I asked carefully.
“Because I’m not.” She sighed. “He’s been showing up at random places where I’ve been all week. So not only has he been doing it to Pace, but he’s been doing it to me, too. Along with his wife.”
Luke groaned and let his head fall back for a few short seconds.
I took that time to lift my arm and wrap it around Oakley’s shoulders. “We’re going to talk about this later.”
Her smile was soft as she said, “I figured we would.”
“Fuckin’ hell.” Luke sighed. “I’ll deal with it. I’ll reiterate that he needs to leave your girl alone, too.” I held out my free hand, which Luke shook. “Sorry, man. He’s normally not so shitty.”
I shrugged as I let go of his hand. “I have a feeling that I’m just special.”
Luke rolled his eyes and headed down the steps toward his cruiser, but stopped and turned to regard me.
“How’s the job?” he asked.
I thought about it for a moment.
“The uniform gets a lot of looks,” I said. “Other than having to deal with the cell phones shoved in my face around every corner, it’s not too bad. I like it a lot.”
Luke grunted. “Good. And the uniforms stay, sorry to say.”
With that, he left, leaving me along with my woman on the front porch of our home.
“Let’s go buy some moving boxes,” I said. “And get started on getting you over here.”
She squeezed my waist.
“I have a better idea.”
That better idea included her mouth, my bed, and a whole lot of curse words as well as stress relief.
Chapter 17
She can’t be left alone with cake.
-My jeans
Oakley
I groaned when I felt lips travel up the length of my belly.
Lips that had a tongue dart out between them every few seconds as he made his way up the length of my torso, inch by inch.