Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Great.
This sounds safe.
But, if it means it stops the crime they’re bringing into this town and the lives they’re taking and destroying, I’ll do whatever it takes to help.
“Okay,” I say. “And if I can get this information, what is the plan?”
“If what he knows is correct, in the right hands it’ll be enough to destroy Delilah’s family. They go down, the people working for them go down too, including the cops coverin’ this shit up. Once they have nothing to offer, then this shit can stop.”
This club holds some smart people.
I have no doubt they can put an end to this.
“And you’re sure this person is going to help?”
“If our sources are tellin’ the truth, then yeah. But we can’t be seen anywhere near him, can’t be seen talkin’ to him, can’t be seen having anything to do with him. One person suspects him, this is over,” Riggs explains.
“And it’s safe?”
“I’d never let anythin’ happen to you, babe,” Hugh answers that question before Riggs can. “In a public place, at an event, you’ll be safe so long as you don’t go anywhere alone. All you have to do is find a way to pass on the small amount of information we need and then we’ll do the rest.”
Seems safe enough.
I nod. “Okay, I’ll do it. I do have one question, if Delilah’s family gets taken down, doesn’t that mean she will, too?”
Hugh’s eyes flash and his shoulders straighten. “I won’t let anything ruin her to the point she can’t take care of Star and get her life in order. I’m not a monster.”
“I never said you were,” I say softly. “I’m just asking a question.”
Hugh takes family protection very seriously. Delilah might not be his family, but she is the mother of his child and because of that, he won’t let anything happen to her. Still, I had to ask, because Delilah in the past few weeks has been good to me and I don’t want to see anything bad happen to her, not just for her sake but mostly for Star. She deserves her mom happy, safe, and stable.
“When is the next event?” Riggs asks, cutting through the tension that just suddenly exploded in the room.
“This weekend,” I answer. “They’re having a big luncheon for some charity event they’re using to cover their disgusting, lying asses.”
“Clever fucks,” Hank mutters.
“Indeed.” Riggs nods. “Okay, we’ll get the information to you before then. Appreciate it, Maggie.”
I nod, and they leave Hugh and me alone in the room.
I walk over to him, reaching up to cup his face in my hands. “I didn’t mean any offense, I really didn’t.”
“Know that, just wound up. Things are tense at the moment with all of this crap and knowing my daughter could get tangled up in it makes me fuckin’ sick.”
“Nothing will happen to Star, I’ll make sure of it.”
He looks down at me. “The way you love her makes me fuckin’ love you even more.”
Sweet Jesus.
Why did he say that?
Why did he have to go ahead and say that?
It feels like someone has punched me in the heart, I can’t even breathe.
I don’t want Hugh to love me.
I don’t want to love him.
Even as I think those things, I know I’m lying.
I know how I feel for him.
I know it’s going to crush me.
God dammit.
Why now, universe?
What are you trying to tell me?
18
“You’re letting me pick my own dress,” I say to Delilah as we walk into the store at the mall the day before the big event at the country club.
“Of course, after what I did to you last time, it’s the least I can do. I promised I’d let you be yourself, Maggie and I’m standing by that promise. I’m really trying to change.”
“I can see that, although dressing Star like a store mannequin is probably going a little far.”
Delilah looks at the clothes in her hands, the ones she took off the shelf the second we walked in here, the expensive outfits for Star that are so uncomfortable I don’t know how anyone can pass them off as baby clothes. “They’re so cute, though.”
“They make her look like she belongs on a shelf in the Titanic era.”
Delilah purses her lips. “Really?”
“Yes, really. Why don’t you just get her a really sweet little dress? She’s such a beautiful baby, let her looks make her shine.”
Delilah hesitates, I know she’s built to want to buy these clothes because they’re what feel normal to her, but she listens and places them back.
“Okay, I trust you. What do you think she should wear?”
I grin. “Nothing from this store. Let me take you shopping?”
Delilah looks nervous.
I laugh. “Come on, I swear you’ll look amazing and so will Star. You don’t have to be what they want you to be, you’re allowed to let yourself shine, Delilah. Have you ever actually stopped and asked yourself if you like these clothes, or if they’re just what you know and think you have to wear to match up with everyone else?”