Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
"She knew. I'm sorry, baby. She is the one the guys found meeting with Alan."
"Then I have no reason to miss her or even say goodbye."
"We can just remember that life carries on, and we have a baby on the way, someone we'll never turn our backs on." I bend down and kiss her belly because I’m happy as fuck to have Jules and our little one here to love.
She cups my face and brings it to hers. "You're right about that. Anthony, I love you so much."
We share a brief kiss that I want to prolong, but we have things to do. "I love you, Jules. Do you want some dinner before we go to the clubhouse?"
"Please. I'm starving."
"Yes, ma'am." I take her to Whataburger, and we eat inside. The entire time, my eyes search for danger. Luckily, it seems the trouble hasn't followed us.
We get to the clubhouse shortly before midnight where a few of the guys are waiting for me. The rest are on patrol or staying with their wives.
I walk in, and Sophia's waiting for Jules. Sophia throws her arms around my wife.
Jules is the first to speak as they pull apart. "I'm sorry about this morning."
"Don't be. Girl, I'm starting to think I'm a jinx to your happiness."
"No, you've just been the only person I've tried to go out and see recently. But since you're here, I wanted to go over some ideas while the guys talk shop." She looks at Jules and smiles.
"Of course, girl.” Her Tennessee accent kicks in strong.
I follow Boomer into our meeting room. "Everyone, thanks for coming. On the speaker phone is Beast and Ghost. Blade, you've got the floor."
"So, I just wanted to let you all know that her parents were tortured before they died. House ransacked and a lot of valuables missing. The cops are looking for some of the stuff, but Jules hasn't been there in months, so she has no idea if things are missing, or they got rid of them. Last you looked, Cyber, their finances were shit and they were in the middle of looking for a new cash flow and borrowing funds from a known bookie. I'm wondering if payment was due."
"If they were after Jules's life insurance policy and lost out when you canceled it, then they would have tried to find the money elsewhere."
"That's what I'm thinking. I haven't told Jules about the money or the drugs her mother was on, although it would explain her growing indifference and hate of her daughter." My heart breaks for my wife, who should have had a mother’s unconditional love. Still, my mother adores her.
"We need shit to quiet down already. We're supposed to be causing trouble, not the other way around,” Cowboy barks out, slamming his fist down on the table.
"Damn right, Cowboy."
"Are you still hung up on that one chick that skipped town?"
"Shut up," he snarls at Cyber.
"Never." Cyber winks.
"Asshole." They both smile and flip each other off.
"Guys, another thing. The cops are looking at Jules and me for this. Although once we provide proof that we've been hermits for the past month, we'll be in the clear. I've done twenty-six blade orders in a month. It's clear I'm too busy for any of that shit, and my wife hasn't gotten over the last time she left."
"We've got your backs. You have the exterior surveillance outside your home if they require more proof."
"Speaking of, I saw your bank records being pulled today."
"When was this?"
"At eight a.m."
"Shit. That wasn't the cops. Her parents weren't found until nine-thirty."
"Do you think the bookies ran your info, looking for possible payment?"
“It’s possible. I need to call the cops.” I ring the detective while I’m still sitting there with the guys.
An awake but exhausted Detective Mathers answers. “Hello, Detective Mathers speaking.”
“Mathers, this is Anthony Santini. I’ve just learned that my bank records were pulled today.”
“We didn’t pull your financials at all. You’ve given us access to your phone records, but they came back clean. When was this pulled?”
“According to the intel, eight in the morning.”
“Damn it, whoever pulled them must be connected to the murder.”
“That’s what I’m figuring.”
“Okay. I’m on it. Can you send me whatever trail you have on it? I know you’re friends with an expert computer guy, so I’m assuming that’s where you got it.”
“I’ll have it to you in the morning. Get some damn sleep. These dead people aren’t worth it.”
“You’re happy they’re dead?”
“It’s better for my wife in the long run. We know they were instrumental in the attacks on her even though we don’t have concrete proof.”
“Then it is for the best. I’m headed home now. Thanks, Mr. Santini.”
I end the call, and we decide it’s late for all of us. I’ll keep them abreast of the situation when I get some more info, but we need to keep our noses clean.