Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
And with her is none other than Misty Holmes, who also looks beautiful in a blouse and shorts. I’ve known Misty for years, and truth be told, I never thought much about her. She’s gorgeous, of course. Every woman here is. But when she and I attended a gala together, we had zero chemistry.
Brett makes a beeline toward them.
Damn.
So much for whatever Brett was going to tell us.
Misty’s mouth is open, and as I get closer I see she’s about to say something but stops when she sees us approaching.
Emily’s back is to us, and we’re close enough now to hear them.
“Spit it out, will you, Misty? For the love of God.”
“The guys…” Misty says.
“What about them?”
“They’re here.”
Emily turns abruptly, and her gaze meets not mine, but River’s. “What the bloody hell are you four doing here? Is Evangeline okay?”
“She’ll be fine,” I say. “It turns out she’s pregnant.”
“Oh, I know that—” Emily clamps her hand over her mouth.
River pounces. “Of course you do. Because Misty told you, didn’t you, Misty? This is what you have on Evangeline. It’s all making sense now. You know who the father of her baby is. The man who Evangeline thinks is a danger to her.”
Misty steps back and gulps audibly. “River, I… I don’t…”
“You do know, Misty,” Emily says, her tone caustic. “Or did you lie to me?”
Misty shakes her head vehemently. “You don’t understand. The man is dangerous. Evangeline is right that she’s in danger from the man. He’s the worst kind of person. And I should know.”
Brett’s eyes go wide. “You should know? Why?” He walks toward Misty.
“I swear to God, Brett”—River follows Brett—“if you give her an inch, she’ll take a mile. Don’t believe a word that comes out of her mouth. She doesn’t know shit. In fact, this whole birth-mother thing is probably some scam to get close to us.”
“It’s not!” Misty yells. “I swear!”
Brett’s usually the only one who can handle River when he goes into his red rage—and it usually takes a lot more than a woman to get him there.
Damn… The last time I saw him like this…
I can’t let myself go there.
But something about Misty yanks River’s chain like nothing I’ve seen before. And Brett? He seems to be protecting her from River’s wrath.
“River, please,” Misty says, her eyes pleading. “Just give me a chance. I only want to know you. Find out about…”
“About what, Misty?” River demands. “Why me? Why does it have to be me?”
She swallows and looks down at her feet. “Maybe it doesn’t.”
Brett brightens at that. “I’m looking forward to our date tomorrow. I really am.”
Misty gives him a half smile. “So am I.”
River steps between them. “Great. You two have a wonderful time. But tomorrow isn’t here yet, and I, for one, want to know what you know, Misty. Who the hell is the father of Evangeline’s baby? Why is he so dangerous? Who is responsible for Rachel’s accident while she was snorkeling? Who sent threats to her and Ginger?”
Misty’s jaw drops. “Threats? What threats? And Rachel… I swear—”
“Sell it to someone else.” River scowls. “You told Evangeline to get rid of Rachel, and the next day? Surprise, surprise. She almost fucking drowns.”
“Ease up, Riv.” Brett clamps a hand on River’s shoulder. “Give her a minute to pull herself together.”
“Fuck off, Brett.” He shrugs free of Brett. “Talk, Misty. Tell us. Tell us every fucking thing, or I swear to God—”
“Riv,” Brett interrupts. “Please.”
River meets Brett’s gaze, and he softens.
And I’m wondering what the holy hell is going on here.
“Screw all of you!” Misty shouts. “You'll never understand. None of you will ever understand.” She runs into the waves and launches herself into the ocean, her body disappearing under the water.
EPISODE 131
BOMB DROP
River
Twenty Years Earlier…
I received the signal back that the other four are on the move. My job is to man the house and make sure Old Man Larson stays out like a light.
My mind is everywhere all at once. I need to stay focused, but the fact that Seb and Jake showed up late weighs on me. Jake’s whole situation weighs on me.
Marnie is fucking pregnant.
Jake trusted only me, so far as I know, with this information. Brett doesn’t know. He was interrogating me last night about it, but it’s not my secret to tell.
Damn, Jake.
You got yourself into it this time. Ever hear of a fucking condom?
Just the one time, Riv. We got hot and horny and we forgot the condom.
Jesus fuck.
An image spears into my head then, and damned if I know where it’s coming from. Two years ago, I saved Jake from drowning. Brett tried, but I’m a stronger swimmer than he is.
We were swimming in the narrow river behind the dilapidated barn on my parents’ ranch. It was a balmy summer’s day, the kind that makes your skin sizzle under the sun—a perfect day for a refreshing swim. The surface of the water was deceptively calm. Underneath, the current was as unpredictable as a wild stallion. Jake was a late bloomer. At thirteen his voice hadn’t yet dropped and he was pretty skinny. After downing two beers, he decided to cross the river. Brett tried to dissuade him, but those two damned beers seemed to ignite something in Jake. He was bound and determined to do it.