Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” I freak out hoping he doesn’t fire me because somehow Wesson has found me.
He watches my reaction. I’m not sure what he sees but a smirk slowly plays on his lips. Stone’s phone rings breaking the moment. Before he answers, he leans down pressing his lips to mine. He leans in and whispers, “answer the man’s call, darlin’. I’m sure that just sent his ass over the edge. If not, I’ll come back later and really lay it on thick for him to see.” He reaches down and grabs my ass firmly causing me to jump closer into him.
Oh my God, Stone knows Wesson is watching the cameras. Without hesitation, he lifts the phone answering his call and walking back out of the laundromat like he didn’t upend my entire day.
A text comes in and I’m stuck in place reading it.
HATE ME ALL U WANT BUT ANSWER THE PHONE. THE KID IN THE BUILDING W/U MATTERS.
I look to the bench and sure enough, there is a child. Being consumed in my own problems and job, I didn’t even look to see who was in here today. His mother is pacing the space clearly on something as she keeps mumbling to herself.
How does he know where I am? How can he see the people with me?
He rings again.
“Hello,” I answer trying to control the trembling in my voice.
“Take the phone and go to the janitor’s closet. You’re gonna go in there, don’t shut the door all the way. Pay attention to that woman and the boy.”
What the hell? I don’t understand why he’s worried about the woman and boy. I nod and make my way to the closet.
Is this what my life has become? Just blindly following instructions?
“Is the woman there on something?” He asks and I can’t stop the hurt from bubbling up inside me
I look out and pay closer attention to her behavior. Her eyes are puffy like she’s been crying, and she’s pacing like she’s paranoid. Drugs, I’m not sure. I don’t have experience in any of this. I like science. Chemical compounds, biology, and anatomy. Ask me the science behind something, it is facts. Psychology of people, the why, the how, there are too many variables. I’ve never been high in my life. I haven’t even smoked weed. Drunk, yes, but even that isn’t something I do regularly.
“I don’t know. She looks tired.”
“I need you to stop the washer she’s using.”
“What!” I whisper yell. “I’ll lose my job if I mess with the machines for no reason.”
“Fuck your job, Emmalee. Come home and go back to school.”
I sigh, is this some ploy to get me back? “That isn’t going to happen.”
He pauses. “We are once again at a can’t versus won’t. Fine. I can’t do this shit right now. Hollis needs to be safe. I need you to talk to her, stall her. I’m getting some guys together to come there and get Hollis.”
“Um, you can’t come here. This is Sons territory. They don’t live by the Hellions codes, Wes. They take outlaw to a whole different level.”
I hear what sounds like him hitting something. “Right now, I don’t care if the devil himself tries to stop us. Karma’s son is not supposed to be taken out of the Carolinas. His mother has kidnapped him, and we are riding in to get him back. That’s gonna take us some time. Need you to stall her in place with the kid.”
“This isn’t my place, Wes,” I argue.
“You can help and be part of this family like I know you are, or you can turn your back and show me that you aren’t worth shit. Choice is yours. Either way, we’re on the way.”
Before I can respond, he ends the call.
What the hell am I supposed to do to keep a stranger here? My mind races. From the moment he muttered the words ‘be part of this family like I know you are’, I am all in. Should I use this as my window to close off that part of my life? Yes. Can I do that? No, and I won’t. I can live without Wesson Vaughn. I can’t live with him thinking I’m not driven for family.
A thought hits me, and I go for it.
“Hey,” I greet her, moving out of the closet and back to my jobs. She stops pacing and looks me up and down. “I’m Emmalee. I noticed you have two loads going. I wish I had gotten here earlier; I would have told you the dryers are slow at this location. We have a guy coming. That was my boss that came in, he’s getting the repair man. Our other place is much better and will go quicker for you. Less cost that way too.”
Her eyes grow big.
“I work at both locations. I can help you carry the clothes over. I’m new to the area myself. Haven’t found a long-term rental yet. I have a hotel room just down the way from the other one. I can watch your stuff and you can take your kiddo and use my key card to get in the gate for the pool. I’m sure he would like that to pass the time.”