Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
I eyed the three guys. They probably could have me before I pulled the trigger at Snow.
“I know what you’re thinking, Moni.” Dutch wagged his finger at me. “If you kill me or Snow, then you have a bigger problem. My father was at the game too.”
Snow gave me a sad smile. “And he expects an immediate solution.”
“I. . .could. . .” I gained control of myself. “I could find my father and get the money.”
Dutch and Snow exchanged glances.
“I know all of his spots.”
Snow shrugged. “I could go with her.”
“No.” I shook my head. “If he sees you, then he’ll run. If he sees that it’s just me, then I have a chance to get the money.”
Dutch leaned his head to the side. “What if he’s miles from here?”
“H-he loves us,” I lied. “He’s probably watching the apartment now, waiting for you all to leave.”
Dutch turned to Snow. “What do you think?”
“Dad went to Paradise to meet with the mayor,” Snow said. “He won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”
Dutch looked at me. “Then, you have until ten this evening to show up with my bag of money.”
“T-thank you, Dutch.”
“And if you don’t have the money, then I expect your sisters to be with you, when you move in with me.”
Dutch winked. “And regardless of if you get the money or not, you still owe me some special time.”
“Okay.” Disgust coiled through me. “Can I get my forty dollars back. I need to ride the bus while I search for him.”
Dutch frowned. “Kermit is out again?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe, this is a good thing. It’s a damn shame you’ve been living in this filth for so long. I’ve told you over and over how much I can help you.” Dutch gestured at his man.
The guy came back, slung the bills at the ground, and headed away.
“I’ll see you later.” Dutch blew me a kiss. “And make sure this shot gun isn’t with you when you show up.”
“See you, Moni.” Snow left.
Dutch drank me in for another second. “Bring those pajamas with you too. I think I’m starting to like Cookie Monster after all.”
When they left, I rushed to my phone, grabbed it, and dialed my dad. While it rang in my ear, I hurried to my room and quickly took off my pajama pants.
He never picked up.
When his voice mail beeped, I spoke, “Dad, get the money back to Dutch now! They’re talking about taking us. Your daughters! If you care about us like you’ve said you do, then fix this. Please! Call me back!”
I dialed Chloe’s phone and hurried with putting my jeans on.
Chloe answered on the first ring. “Moni?”
“I’m okay.”
Chloe cried, “W-what was that? Why did it take you so long to—”
“Chloe, calm down.” I opened my dresser drawer and pulled out the unopened birthday card from my father. It had his address on it. “I’m okay—”
“I thought y-you might h-have been killed or raped or—”
“Chloe, put Jo on the phone.” Having no time, I kept my pajama top on, grabbed my leather jacket, and rushed out of the door.
Chloe whined, “But what’s going on, Moni?”
“I’ll catch you up, when everyone is safe, Chloe. Okay? Everything is going to be okay.” I stuffed the birthday card in my jacket’s pocket. “Please, put Jo on the phone.”
Jo’s voice came on. “What the fuck?”
“Stop cursing.”
“Can we come back?”
“Hell no.” I slung on my sneakers and hurried into the living room. “I need you to get a ride to South Paradise. Take Chloe and TT. You all must stay with Aunt Betty.”
“Man, we haven’t seen them since the funeral. They’re going to be looking at us crazy.”
“Make something up, but when Banks gets home, tell him what happened.” I searched for my wallet and realized Dutch’s man still had it along with all my identification.
“You sure you want Banks in on this? He’s crazy—”
“Dad stole $75,000 from Dutch.”
“Fuck!”
“Stop cursing.” I rushed out of the apartment.
“Who cares if I’m cursing. We’re fucked—”
“Come on, Jo. Just stop cursing. It gives me balance.” I rushed down the hallway and hit the stairs. “Get to Aunt Betty’s house. And don’t steal a car. We don’t need any more problems. See if one of your girls will take you all as quickly as possible.”
“Okay. We’re at Sal’s ordering pancakes. TT is excited.”
“Get them to-go and head to South Paradise.”
“We will, but what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to look for Dad at his spot in Chinatown and see if I can fix this.” I rushed down the flights of stairs. “Stay safe and text me as soon as you get a ride. Then, text me to let me know you got there.”
“Okay, Moni.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, sis.”
I hung up, made it to the first floor, and ran through the lobby, almost bumping into a woman holding her kid’s hand. “Sorry.”