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)
A plane emerges from the hangar.
These people think I’m stupid. “I get on that plane, I’ll never come back home.”
I’m running out of time for me and Dia. It’s the truth. I can see it all over O’Leary’s face. Once he has the money, I’m as good as dead and so is my mother. Although, truth be told in this moment, I’m fine with her death.
“Have some faith,” O’Leary taunts, “I’m not the enemy here, Emmalee.”
“Well, you aren’t my fuckin’ friend,” I shout back.
Dia kicks me in the back of the leg. I turn to her she shakes her head. “Let it ride,” she mutters. “Don’t rattle the cage.”
What does she know that I don’t? Dia Crews doesn’t let shit ride.
“Okay,” O’Leary raises his hands in surrender. “You’re right. I haven’t given you a reason to trust me.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” I should hold back my sarcasm, but I can’t. If these are going to be my last moments, I’m not going to make it easy.
He looks around getting the attention of one of his guys. They approach, he gives a nod to Dia. The man takes out a key and removes her handcuffs.
“What a show of good faith you have given me, O’Leary.” I don’t hold back my frustration. “I’m so freaking impressed.”
Dia is looking at me wide-eyed. I don’t know why she’s so shocked, I’m taking a page out of her book. She never backs down and uses her mouth to shake things up not to suck dick like the barflies. I’ve had enough of everyone’s bullshit.
He nods to his goon. The man moves in and releases my handcuffs.
My mother takes a step back. “What?” I challenge her. “Things feelin’ different when the playing field is a little more even?” I taunt.
“Emmalee, I just need you to get on the plane,” she points to it as it’s approaching on the runway. “Go to the bank, get the money. This is over.”
She makes it sound simple when it’s anything but. “Your existence disgusts me. Why do I want to do anything to help you?”
O’Leary studies my face. Something changes in him. He reaches out to the goon who pulls a gun from his back and hands it to O’Leary.
My heartbeat picks up and I feel the panic rising. This is it. I’m not cooperating, and he’s done playing. I’m going to get killed and probably get Dia killed right along with me. How do I save her? If I die, fine. What is there left to live for? My mother is a snake in the grass just like my father was. I lost the man I love. There is no way the Hellions will trust me after this. I can’t go back to North Carolina. I can stay here and work for Stone, but I’ll never be able to live anywhere but a damn motel. Oh yes, what a life. I can’t afford to go back to school and finish my degree. I can die and it will be okay.
Dia, I can’t let anything happen to her, though.
He raises the gun, pointing at me. I feel Dia reach out and put her hand in mine. She gives it a squeeze as he smiles a sick smile at me. “A gift for you, Emmalee. You are right about it all. You don’t have to help her,” he mutters before moving the gun and firing a single shot into my mother’s head. “I needed her to get you here, I don’t need her to get the money.”
Her brain matter and blood splatter across my face. I fight back the rising bile as the plane comes to a stop. I’m stuck in place completely stunned. I can’t look away. My mother’s limp body is on the ground at my feet as blood pools around her head.
Dia squeezes my hand once again. It breaks me out of the trance. I look where she is staring. In the distance I see a van. What the hell is going to happen next? The plane is here. Who could be coming in a van.
What do we do? How can we find a way out?
Until I’m no longer breathing, I’m not giving up hope.
I’ve been through too much to give in now.
Right?
TWELVE
WESSON
Boomerism: Patience is practiced, it never comes easy.
There are moments in life where things feel so close and yet so far away. This is one of those times. I can see her in the distance by using the binoculars the prospect handed me. One thing about the sons they seem to be prepared for everything. These are military grade special ops level field glasses and cost whack for the everyday civilian.
I have to ready myself for what I may or may not see. Emotions cloud decisions. Every decision in this moment is life or death for two woman I care about. I can’t react on how I feel because I’m knotted up inside as it is. I have to assess and plan. Pushing aside who they are to me is impossible, but I can compartmentalize.