Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
I snorted. “I doubt it stops there. She might as well be their mother. Seems you know them awfully fuckin’ well.”
Deacon gave me a level look. “Like I said. Apple’s mine.”
“That’s something we’re gonna have to have a talk with Sting about. How could you not know she was underage, you dumb shit? And what the fuck did you do with her?” I was angry, but mostly I was seeking a target for my anger. Deacon was a good man. There was no way he creeped after a sixteen-year-old on purpose.
“Talk all you want. Even she’ll tell you I didn’t do anything with her. I haven’t even kissed her.” He shook his head slightly. “Knew something was off, but I couldn’t place what it was. She said she was nineteen. Lemon confirmed it and encouraged us to get together. Only thing I was waiting on was to meet and talk with Danica.”
“Why?” If that bastard was thinking he’d make a move on Danica, I’d kill him right here.
“Like I said. Something felt off. I wanted to talk to their father first, but they said they didn’t have a father. Only reason I knew about Danica was because I followed them to the coffee shop one day. Didn’t see how they got to town, but I saw them walking. Each of them had a backpack slung over her shoulder. Curiosity got the better of me and I followed. When I asked Apple about it later, she got a panicked look on her face, but Lemon said they were enrolled at the community college.”
“And you didn’t press her then?” Anger was building inside me. I blamed Deacon for what I saw as taking advantage of a young woman, but I knew it was more than that.
“No. Of course not. I knew she’d tell me what was going on when she was ready, and I wasn’t getting physical with her until I knew her story. I’m a lot of things, Wylde, but I’m not a moron. Or a creep. As I saw it, my job was to look after her until she came clean. It was Danica who clued me in to the fact they’re only sixteen.” He shook his head slightly as if beating himself up inside. “Felt like a dirty old man and I’m only twenty-six.”
“How long have you known Apple?”
“Not long. Couple of weeks. Gave her my number the second time I met her.”
I’d be checking that out soon as the bastard left my office. I needed to go after the pair, but figured I was the last person they wanted around them right now.
I scrubbed my hand over my face. “Fuck.” Giving Deacon a hard look, I pointed my finger at his chest. “Keep an eye on them. But if you touch either of those girls, I’ll beat you to a bloody fuckin’ pulp.”
He lifted his chin. “I’m not a pedophile, Wylde. And I’m a prospect with Iron Tzars.” The man puffed out his chest in pride. “I know what we do. What we stand for. I’ll earn my patch here, and it won’t be by takin’ advantage of a kid. Don’t underestimate either of them, though. They’re not typical teenagers.”
“You’ll still keep your distance.” It was a threat and we both knew it.
“I will. Still makin’ it known no one is to even look at Apple. I got two years to prove myself with Tzars before she’s of age. That should give me time to solidify my position with the club and make a home for her.” He moved toward me until we were almost nose to nose. “And if you hurt their sister, if you hurt Danica, I’ll personally rip your arms from your body. Try workin’ your computer magic with no fuckin’ hands.” Then he stalked after the girls.
“Go fuck yourself, Deacon!” I called after him. Like Lemon had, Deacon flipped me off without ever turning around. Then I shouted after him. “And I can use voice controls! And you’re still a dumb shit!”
It took less than ten minutes for me to access the text messages between Apple and Deacon. Surprisingly, there weren’t many. Two or three exchanges each day. Always one in the morning when she got up and one in the evening before she went to bed. No funny business at all. She’d called him a couple of times, but the calls were less than five minutes. The last text had been thanking him for sending help.
Deacon: I’ll always come for you, Apple. You’re still in trouble though.
Apple: I’m so sorry. I didn’t get YOU in trouble, did I?
Deacon: Don’t worry about me, honey. I’ve not done anything I’m ashamed to own up to.
Apple: Are you not going to talk to me anymore now?
Deacon: I can’t promise I can. But I’ll always be here for you. If you need me for any reason, you call or text. I’ll have to talk to my president about this. Let him know what happened.