Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
What had Cash’s superiors said about the video? Who knew what the government thought about such things. Unexpected, consuming rage sent his blood boiling. He absolutely refused to work with any other agent.
He was dick-whipped and somehow innately understood his pathetic plight.
“The girls got their hair cut. You need to make it a big deal,” his mother said, placing a tray of drinks on the patio table.
“I did. Mae showed me when I first got here.” He didn’t reach for a glass. Instead, he turned back to the girls. “She showed me hers and Abi’s nails too. Aren’t they too young for that?”
His mother didn’t reply. After a second more, Dev looked over at her. She beamed at him. “Those are children’s press-on nails. What’s got you so down today?”
What didn’t have him down?
“Nothin’,” he finally said. Honestly, except for the tears trying to well in his eyes, nothing had changed for him. Maybe when given the choice to be Abi and Mae’s father, these feelings had cinched tighter, but he wasn’t certain of that. He’d already been so crazy in love with them.
“Why’re you crying?” his mother asked quietly. He could hear the concern in her voice. How did he say his dreams had died without giving anything away?
“I want to add Shanna and Keyes as custodian if somethin’ happens to me,” he said and lifted a hand, brushing away a tear that built enough steam to slide to his cheek. “I get you’re always here for them, but Dad’s right, you don’t need to be strapped down with them if shit goes bad for me.”
“Are you planning something to happen to you?” she asked.
A fair question that quirked the corners of his mouth. “No. But you never know. Dad hit me up about becomin’ second. Let me know Diesel’s the son he never had, but the second position is my birthright. He also thinks you’re goin’ through somethin’.”
Switching the topic to her might be the perfect diversion to distract his mom. “The things we do when we’re young…”
“Second that,” he teased and threw out a fist for a knuckle touch. She leaned in, obliging him.
“What do you think about riding second?” she asked.
Oh lord, what did he think about having to go back into a world where he had to idolize his old man, lick his ass with compliments, shower the narcissist in adoring adulation? He couldn’t get the idea of just killing him out of his mind. It would solve all his problems. He didn’t say any of that, though. Only stared at her and shook his head.
“Then let Diesel have it. You’re too independent to ever be a second. You’re a first, Devin. I’ve only stayed with your father to help you navigate all those ridiculous rules. Let’s make a break,” she said pleadingly.
It didn’t work that way, and she knew it. He’d given his vow to be a Disciple’s brother for life. To leave before his official retirement was the ultimate betrayal. They’d fuck his shit up. She knew that.
And honestly, if it were only that easy. He’d take the ass whooping to the inches of death to get the girls out of there. With the government, and the shit they knew, he wasn’t sure there was a place far enough to run away.
Take Cash with you.
“Fuckin’ hell,” Dev muttered and slapped the side of his temple to dislodge the awful thought.
“Language, son. Mae says they have over thirteen hundred dollars in a swear jar at your house. That’s shameful.” She used her mom voice as she scolded him. The kitchen door opened, drawing his attention. Shanna came through. She looked more like the sister he used to know in her jeans, a vintage T-shirt, light jacket, and running shoes. Her hair was left long and loose.
The windbreaker probably hid her weapons. He furrowed his brows.
“There’s a timer going off,” she said, shutting the door behind her.
“Oh no.” Her mom darted up. “That’s the cornbread. I need to get the pecan pies in the oven too.” She scooted the heavy chair out, motioning for Shanna to take her seat. “I’m baking like we’ll have twenty-five people here on Thanksgiving.”
Shanna didn’t take a seat, nodding her head to the yard. He guessed that was his instruction. He removed his necklace and bracelet, leaving those and his phone on the table before following after her. He figured he wasn’t breaking too many rules if he was with Shanna.
“Have you heard from Cash?” he found himself asking, hating that was his first thought. Infuriated with himself that he’d let the thought out in words.
“No, have you?” she asked, her eyes lifting to his. He shook his head. “David and his guys are off the case. Completely removed.”
“What? Why?” Dev asked, surprised.
Shanna shrugged. “Joe says the high, high powers weren’t happy he let the video circulate.”