Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I get that this whole thing is tough on you, brother, but no one is trying to slight you. We just want you focusing on getting better,” Shep explained.
“You’re right. This shit is tough, and not knowing what’s really going on only makes it harder. So, stop with the holding back bullshit and tell me what the hell is going on.”
“Well, we did a real number on those two assholes. Hell, one of ‘em is gonna be walking sideways for the next three months, and the other is gonna be smelling through his ears,” Ghost chuckled. “So, we ain’t gotta worry about them coming back around any time soon.”
“And if they do?”
“We’ll deal with it.” Ghost looked me dead in the eye as he assured me, “We’ve got it under control. We’re keeping an eye on things.”
“Yeah, I keep hearing that.”
“Because it’s true,” Shep interjected. “So, stop worrying over stupid bullshit and focus on things here. You’ve got enough to handle.”
“Speaking of which...” Ghost motioned his head towards the kitchen with a smirk. “How are things going with the lil’ sis?”
“You know I might be stuck in this chair, but I can still kick your ass.”
“That good, huh?”
“Keep running that mouth and...”
“Okay. Okay. You ain’t gotta be so sensitive.” Ghost chuckled as he leaned to the side to get a look at Toni. “Does baby girl know that you got the hots for her?”
I didn’t respond.
I just sat there glaring at him until Shep grabbed his arm and said, “Come on, brother. Visit’s over.”
“Ah, man. I was just gettin’ warmed up.” Ghost gave me a wink, then said, “You try to behave yourself, and if you need anything...”
“I’ll call anyone but you.”
“Well, how about that.” A big smile swept across Ghost’s face. “He’s got his fire back. It’s damn good to see.”
Ghost gave me a pat on the shoulder before heading for the door. Before walking out, Shep turned to me and said, “Get me that picture.”
I nodded, and he and Ghost walked out of the house.
Seconds later, I heard their motorcycles roar to life, and it was like a punch to the gut. They pulled off and I immediately missed the wind that I knew was rushing past them. It was a stark reminder of what I had lost.
Riding had always been my freedom, my escape. It was the air I breathed, and without it, I felt like a piece of me was missing. I longed for the rush I felt when I was out on the open road, and I wondered if I’d ever feel it again.
I wondered the same about Antonia.
I wanted her. That was undeniable. Hell, the second she walked into the room, my heart would race, and my palms would sweat. I’d imagine her in my arms and in my bed, and it was all I could do to keep my dick in check. I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d noticed the effect she was having on me.
Could she see all the crazy thoughts going through my mind?
Had I managed to hide it, or did she know just how fucked up I really was?
Damn.
The two things I wanted most were just out of my reach, and it was time for me to figure out what I was going to do about it.
Antonia
“Thank you for dinner. It was great.”
“It was just spaghetti.”
“Maybe so, but it sure as hell beat what I’ve been eating the past few weeks.”
“Yeah, hospital food isn’t the best. I wish I could’ve done more.”
“It was more than enough.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to come up with something better tomorrow.”
It had been a rough couple of days.
Things were crazy at work, which left me very little time to check into things with my father. The records Preacher had shown me had haunted me for weeks, and I wanted to find out if there was any truth behind them.
I went to the house to see if I could find any old statements. I even tried to log into his computer but had no luck there either. I tried talking to him, but Dad was anything but open about his life. It was frustrating, and I was at my wits end.
Sensing my unease, Wes gave me a concerned look and asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just had a hard time getting everything squared away at work.”
“Things that bad?”
“We just got a new case.” I started putting the dishes in the dishwasher as I told him, “It’s one of the bigger ones we’ve had, and everyone’s a bit keyed up about it.”
“I’m sure your co-workers aren’t happy that you aren’t there to help.”
“Actually, they’ve been very understanding. I’m good at what I do, and they know it.” I closed the dishwasher as I added, “But that being said, I have a report to finish for pre-trial, so I better get to it.”