Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
If that didn’t cause a shock of heat to swirl through her…
“What about Val?”
He turned his head on the pillow until he was staring up at the ceiling. He tucked his arms beneath his head, and a few moments later said, “I’ll wait until after she’s asleep. I’ll also make sure to get my ass out of this bed before she wakes up.”
She understood his concern. He didn’t want to give the four-year-old any expectations since Sloane hadn’t moved in permanently nor was she and Decker in any kind of long-term relationship. It made sense he wouldn’t want to confuse Val.
While Sloane had no idea how long she’d remain in his home, she knew it wouldn’t be forever.
Plus, maybe Decker would one day find the right woman to settle down with and help raise the little girl. Sloane only hoped whoever it was would step in as if she was Val’s real mother. Just like Decker had done. No one would know he wasn’t Val’s biological father unless he told them.
Why did her heart suddenly ache when she thought about when it came to the time she’d have to move out and leave them behind? Or at the thought of Decker finding the “perfect” woman to help raise Val?
She masked the unexpected sadness that enveloped her. “And if she wakes up in the middle of the night looking for you?”
Val never once bugged her in the middle of the night but she wasn’t sure if she had Decker since their rooms were on the opposite side of the house.
“Shit,” he muttered, raking fingers through his messy hair. “I guess I’ll deal with that if and when it happens. She’s usually sick if she wakes up during the night. Otherwise, she’s a solid sleeper. Thank fuck.”
“So…” she started.
His wary brown eyes sliced to her. “So…?”
“Sadie?” Unfortunately, this topic wouldn’t help pull her from that glumness.
His eyebrows pinned together. “What about her?”
“Have you seen or heard anything at all? In Uniontown or West Virginia? Anywhere?” God, she just needed a flicker of hope.
Something to settle her uneasiness.
“Before I got sent on the run to the border, I searched every inch of the Demons’ party house Friday night. Every damn inch. Twice, too.”
“You found nothing,” she whispered, no longer bothering to hide the disappointment in her tone or expression. Because of course he didn’t find anything. Even though he had said so in his text that night, she still had to make sure.
“Sorry. I found nothing,” he confirmed, skimming a knuckle down her cheek. He sat up abruptly, now looking more awake. “Actually, that’s not true. I might’ve gotten a lead.”
Sloane’s heart skipped like a stone being skimmed across a pond. “A lead?”
“Yeah, but nothing concrete. I need to follow it and dig a bit deeper. And I promise to do just that once I get the opportunity. I can’t do it tonight because I need to meet with Crew and give him an update about the trip. But I’ll tell him my plan about giving everyone on the task force, as well as all of my fellow Blue Avengers, a copy of her photo so everyone can keep an eye out for her. Both at any locations where we’ve planted cameras or in the direct dealings with the Demons. Even better, once we have cameras set up in their Uniontown church, whoever’s watching live, or even scanning the recordings, can keep an eye out, too. I’ll even have them listen for her name being mentioned in any of the wiretappings. It can’t hurt to have extra eyes and ears open. But, Sloane… Once I do that, there will be questions. That means I’ll have to give them details about Sadie and her situation. I might also have to explain our arrangement. I need to make sure that’s okay with you first.”
She didn’t care what anyone thought about her or her sister. “I just want her found. I want her sober. I want her alive.” Her fingers curled into fists. “I want to give her a fighting chance.”
He grabbed her hand off the bed and pulled it against his chest, giving it a squeeze. “We’ve been over this before. You can only do so much. Sadie needs to do the rest.”
“But she can’t do anything if she’s dead.”
His lips flattened out and he nodded. “The painful truth. Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen.”
“My hope is fading fast,” she admitted.
“I’ll get those photos distributed tonight after I talk to Crew first. I can’t really use the task force in that manner without his okay.”
“He seemed reasonable when he was here.”
Decker snorted. “We all have our moments.”
She leaned over, pressed a light kiss to his lips and murmured, “Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. I benefitted from the sex, too.”
She rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. “Not for the sex. For the help.” She extracted her hand from his. “Okay, I’m going to go clean up. I’ll leave you to get some more sleep while I get some work done.”