Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 25728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Dad joked but he wasn't too far off. Mom had my four year old niece more than her parents did sometimes. Donald was always grumbling to me about it, but no one wanted to upset the tyrant.
"Oh hush Thomas, they certainly do not, whatever do you mean?" Oh she was a smooth one alright; seriously though, Cindy and Don appreciated mom's help they were always singing her praises. She had more best grandma crap than a novelty store. I was sure my son would be confiscated just as much and that was fine by me. I hoped Amber would feel the same way because no one said no to mom.
I had a thought while my folks were here, Amber seemed relaxed enough for my idea to work. I didn't want her here when Kurt showed up, I had no idea what was going to be on that shit, but I was beginning to doubt it was her. Nonetheless I wanted her away from here when I was looking at that shit, plus I didn't want her to know what we were doing, not yet.
"Mom why don't you take Amber and the baby shopping; they could both use some new things." She clapped her hands like a little girl. Amber meanwhile looked like she wanted to protest, but why? I knew she hated shopping but I thought for sure she would jump at the chance to shop for Anthony. She seemed to collect herself before asking a very telling question.
“Will it just be us? I only ask because I'm not ready to see everyone else yet."
My parents looked at me but I kept my face blank. There it was again, that fear of someone or something in my life, but who or what? I hadn't noticed anything when we were together before. One thing was certain, her fear was genuine, that pissed me the fuck off. If someone had orchestrated this, had fucked with what's mine I will make them pay.
“Of course dear it will just be us, we'll take the limo that way we wouldn't have to worry about parking or carrying bags. This is going to be so much fun. Oh we need a list." My dad was rolling his eyes, I was laughing and Amber had a small smile on her face. I couldn't help walking over and kissing her in front of my parents, they'd seen us kiss before.
“It'll be fine." I reassured her softly as I rubbed my fingers over her cheek and lips. She nodded with a little smile and the knots in my gut loosened a bit. Now to wait for Kurt and see what the fuck was going on.
When Kurt finally showed not long after they left he was pensive, worried! I couldn't quite read him, but it wasn't a look I was accustomed to seeing on his face.
"Fuck boss...I'm sorry, this...shit..." He pulled on his hair in frustration, he was almost scaring the fuck outta me.
"What the fuck Kurt, just tell me man."
"I can't, I'll rather show you."
My heart was beating so fast I thought I would have a heart attack. I'd never seen the tough as nails Kurt Justice so flustered before in my life. What the fuck could be on that disc? Was it Amber, is that why he was apologizing? Please, please don't let it be please, I beg of you. I prayed for the first time since I became a man. I don't think I could take it if she was on that disc after all. Not after the morning we'd had. We went to my study where I had set up for the occasion and both sat down. He really looked like he didn't want to show me that shit but I had to see it. He cued it up and sat back.
"I'm just going to start it where the party you're looking for is doing the transaction okay, there's a whole day's worth of footage on there but most of that has nothing to do with you, just the usual goings and comings to the shop."
He was stalling I could see it.
"Just get to it Kurt."
He sighed before hitting play, when the face first came on the screen I think the shock kept me rooted to the seat.
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?"
He turned it off and got me some water; it was then I realized I was fucking hyperventilating. Lies, all fucking lies from beginning to end, they planned it, why the fuck did they though? What had I ever done to deserve this or Amber for that matter?
“Are you sure about this, there's no doubt, no coincidence you checked on all that?"
"I checked the time stamp on the receipt against the time on the recording, it's the same transaction, no mistake, I'm sorry."
"Who else knows about this?" I had to ask, Kurt was loyal to more than just one member of the family.