Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Dammit,” Cohen mutters.
“Why would she leave this here, but she had her bag and it looked untouched, like she had only just packed it but never actually taken anything out of it. If she was staying here, and left in a hurry enough to forget this, which is special to her, her clothes would have been messed up.”
“Maybe she packed all her things and was leavin’ here, but somethin’ happened and she was forced to leave the rest of it,” Cohen suggests.
He could be right, if she had been staying here for a while, she may have washed and repacked all her clothes in order to leave but something happened that stopped her from finishing it and she’s rushed out leaving these last few things behind. It’s probably the most logical explanation. Now the problem we have is wondering why the hell she suddenly left and where she was going when her car was stopped.
“This is interesting,” Mykel says, walking toward us with a note in his hand.
He hands it over to me and I unfold the paper and read the contents, it’s a handwritten note, with a very neat and well-presented style. It reads,
Magnolia,
I came by but you weren’t around.
I need to speak with you urgently.
Call me when you receive this note.
I’ll come back later if I don’t hear from you.
L.B
“Who is L.B?” I wonder out loud. “And the note really isn’t that interesting, it’s not threatening or cruel. It just sounds like a friend dropped by.”
I look to Mykel and he studies me a moment before saying, “Could be a long shot, but remember how we were discussing an officer of the law possibly having involvement earlier? It just so happens that there is a cop in the mix that we’ve had a few run-ins with before, and he goes by the name Constable Bennett. Now, that could be a complete coincidence, or it could have somethin’ to do with it. Either way, I think we need to take this to the club because it’s gettin’ pretty deep and we’re goin’ to need extra hands.”
A police officer?
How is Magnolia involved in all of this?
Nothing is making sense, and the more I think about it, the more confused I become.
I have a feeling though that this has absolutely nothing to do with drugs, and that’s all a cover up to throw the club and anyone else off.
This is something more sinister.
I can feel it right down to my core.
“Okay,” I agree.
We finish scouring the room and then I pop into the reception clerk and ask her when Magnolia is expected back and tell her who I am. She tells me she has been staying there for just over a week and is due to check out in about three days. I thank her and leave, telling her to call me if Magnolia comes back.
It’s all getting a little twisty, and I’m starting to wonder just who Magnolia has gotten herself involved with.
I climb into the truck and sit in the backseat, again pondering all the theories rolling around in my head.
One thing is for certain, Magnolia is in trouble.
Someone is playing a very clever game.
And I’m going to find out who that someone is.
Before they hurt my sister.
I WALK OUT OF MY BEDROOM, bleary eyed, half naked, hair a mess, in desperate need of some water.
I don’t know what time it is, possibly early morning, maybe late night, hell, I have no idea. All I know is I went to bed without my usual bottle of water and now I’m parched, half asleep, and a little disorientated.
I walk into the living area and stop dead in my tracks, squinting, blinded by the bright light as all the men sit around on the sofa, watching something on the television. I had no idea they were here; I have no idea why they’re awake, but I just walked in and now they’re all staring at me. Every single one of them. How did I not hear the television? To be fair I’m completely out of it, but I honestly thought I was alone so I didn’t really pay attention, either.
I put my hands down in front of my groin, like that’s going to hide the fact that I’m basically naked. The panties I’m wearing are so tiny they only cover what they have to, and my top is cropped and short, sort of like a sports bra. I don’t like sleeping in much, I find it gets tangled and I prefer to just enjoy my blankets being the only ones that tangle me.
“Oh,” I squeak, staring at all five men. “I didn’t realize anyone was here.”
“We’re not complainin’ darlin’,” Mykel murmurs. “The view isn’t something we would have grounds to complain about. You filled out real nice.”
Alarick shoots Mykel a look, which he completely ignores. He’s too busy staring at me with lusty eyes. I’ve never seen Mykel look at me like that before, honestly, I haven’t. We’ve always been great friends, but I’ve never looked at him like ... well ... the man that’s returning my stare right now.