Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Is there anything else you want to tell me? You seem off.”
“It’s just a lot.” That is the truth.
"Yes, it is, but in a good way." She wraps me in another tight hug. “I still can’t believe this. That we made it out of there and are free to live our lives the way we want.”
“I know.” Tears burn in my eyes. Every night, I have been worried that when I went to bed, I would wake up back on the compound, not next to Ace. Sadly, part of that is going to come true, I think. I can't stay with Ace forever. Can I? He hasn't asked me to.
“But it’s not over.” Winter lets out a long breath at my reminder.
“There are others back there.” I nod.
"Garrett assured me that everything will work out, and he hasn't been wrong yet. He always lives up to his word."
“They are really badasses, aren't they?”
“Badass?” Winter laughs.
“What? I can curse now.”
"Yes, you can. It’s pretty fucking awesome. Isn’t it?”
“Ahh!” I laugh with her, loving how carefree we get to be now.
“Go change. Then we can head home.”
My laughter dies. “Home?”
“Well, yeah. You’re coming home with Garrett and me, right?”
“What about Ace? Do I just leave?” Winter glances around Ace’s home.
“Do you want to live with him? Above a bar? He also still does missions.” Her brows pull together. “Do you not want to come with me?”
“What? I didn’t say that.” I grab her hand. I do.
“Then, what is it? Is it Garrett? I know this wasn’t the plan.”
“Don’t, Winter. Of course it’s not Garrett, and really, was there a plan past getting out?”
“I mean, the plan was that it would be you and me.”
“It will always be you and me.” That will never change. “Now, why don’t I go change?” I grab the bag off the kitchen island. Winter nods, but I know she wants to say more.
I simply know that I'm not yet ready.
15
ACE
“What’s wrong with you?” Garrett asks the second we cross the threshold into my office.
“What are—" He levels me with a stare. “I want her.” No point fucking hiding it. If anything, my brother should be able to relate.
“Shit,” Garrett mutters. “Does she know that?”
“I’m not sure.” I sink into the chair behind my desk. Libby is still trying to figure herself out. She shouldn't be worrying about what I need.
“You want her for keeps, right? You’re not fucking around.” Garrett steps closer, and there’s an edge to his words. Did he really ask me that?
“You think I’d do that? When do I fuck around?"
He relaxes, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know what you do here. You own a damn bar.”
That's bullshit, but maybe how easy I am to talk to everyone does throw people off. This is a small town; if I were to invite someone back to my place, the whole town would know. Gossip is quick to spread around here. Not that Garrett pays much attention to it.
“You chose for us to move here,” I remind him.
“You’re fucking welcome.”
Shit, he’s got a point there. If we hadn’t been here, what would have happened to Libby and Winter? I can’t think about that. My head is already fucked up.
“Libby is so damn innocent and naïve. Sweet too.” I run a hand down my face.
“Snow has mentioned that.” Garrett has been calling Winter “Snow” since he found her passed out on his front porch in the middle of the snowstorm, but I think he calls her Snow because of her hair. Both of the sisters have such blonde hair that it’s almost white. "She's willing to do anything for anyone and is easily persuaded. That's why Snow's been so worried about getting her out of there because she was no longer there to watch over her.”
I'm the one that should be watching over her now. Libby is mine. I hate that someone else would be. It’s going to drive me insane. I don't have any choice at the moment. Not if I want to make sure Libby has that person. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to Winter for keeping my girl safe. I know I sound the opposite, but I want to be her protector now. The one she looks to for strength.
“And the father?” Garrett asks.
“The father? As in their dad?” I glance toward the door to make sure no one is there. I don’t want Libby or Winter to hear the disturbing hunch I have in regard to their dad. “Think he’s got an infatuation with her.”
Garrett’s brows lift. “That’s fucked.”
“You’re telling me. The way he looked at her.” I grit my teeth.
“All right, cool it.” Garrett flicks a glance to the door. I inhale deeply, gathering my thoughts. “Now what?”
“I don’t know. I’m guessing you’re here to take her.”
“Hey.” Garrett puts his hands up to show he’s not trying to start a fight over this. “Even if she does go with us today, she’s not far, Ace. Not like she’s disappearing. My Snow is staying put, so Libby will stay put.”