Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
My father’s pledge must be at the forefront of Caleb’s mind as he moves straight to securing Jack’s release. “Do you know where they’re taking him?”
When Octavia shakes her head, her shock too noticeable to speak, I say, “It will probably be the southwest precinct. It is the closest.” I know this from experience.
When Caleb locks his eyes with mine, his earlier begs spill out of him on repeat. He doesn’t want me to learn his secrets this way. He wants to tell me when he’s ready, and since I am more than okay with that, I smile a grin that makes it seem as if the situation isn’t as bad as it is before saying, “I’ll meet you out front in five.”
CHAPTER 44
CALEB
Fitz’s brows are so close together they look like caterpillars when his eyes stray from Jess’s dad, Santiago, to me. “Do you have a history with Priest Arkwright?”
I stand straighter, hopeful the boost in height will hide my wobbly knees before shaking my head. I’m not scared of Jess’s dad. I am petrified of what he represents and how much information he may pass on to his daughter.
My secrets are secrets for a reason. I’m too ashamed to admit them out loud, and although I hope one day to be free of the burden, I don’t know when that will occur. I like the way Jess looks at me. I don’t want it to change if she finds out how tainted I am.
When Fitz raises a brow, soundlessly demanding a verbal reply, I say, “I met him in passing once. That’s it. Why?”
“No reason.” He’s a shit liar. “I’ll show him out, then we will get Octavia and Jess home.”
He doesn’t even get half a step away from me. “You don’t think Jess will go home with her father?”
Fitz slants his head to hide his grin before muttering under his breath, “You’re clearly an idiot.” When I snatch up his arm, announcing I heard his mumble, he adds, “Jess isn’t here for Jack. She isn’t here for Octavia either.” He drifts his eyes to Jess, who’s watching our exchange more than the pamphlets she’s pretending to peruse. “She’s here for you, Caleb.” He tosses a set of keys into my chest. “And if you can’t see that, I may as well treat you like a bus boy. Bring the car around front. We’ll be there in five.”
I shake my head, my determination growing along with my backbone. “I’m not leaving without them.” By ‘them,’ I mean Jess and Octavia.
I don’t know Fitz well enough to recognize the expression on his face, but I’m confident in saying it is stirring. “Then go wretch Jess away from her father while I collect Octavia.” When my face pales, he mutters, “That’s what I thought.”
“You’re an asshole,” I whisper.
When Fitz mimics his earlier silent demand, I say louder, “You’re an asshole, sir.”
It brings out a smile I haven’t seen him wear, and it has me hopeful Jess’s father got Jack’s charges as significantly reduced as mine.
Everyone tonight gave their all. Even Octavia. She purged every detail of the exchange between Silas and Jack before Jack saw red, and even with her testimony exposing that the fight was one-sided, Jack’s case is clear self-defense.
Silas came to our apartment to force Octavia through the abuse our grandfather had placed on him. He wasn’t anticipating for Jack to be there since he had every intention of announcing their disturbing connection at the gala.
Jack’s security team foiled his ruse, but he kept plans in motion when he stalked Octavia’s departure of the penthouse Jack purchased earlier this evening. He knew Jack’s every move because he’s been stalking him for years. So when he couldn’t get to him, he went to the person he knew would hurt him more.
Octavia.
Although Jack protected Octavia, he doesn’t appear to be ready to be honest with her just yet. Octavia’s third request to speak to him was just denied.
Even though I am peeved about his brush-off, I also understand it. I’ve known Jess for years, yet I still struggle contemplating how I will tell her the truth—if I ever tell her the truth.
I direct my focus on more pressing matters when Octavia asks, “Can you at least tell us if he’s been formally charged?”
The female officer appears more sympathetic than annoyed while replying, “Matters pertaining to an open investigation are—”
“Confidential and shall not be discussed in depth without approval from all parties.” I try not to startle when Santiago butts shoulders with Octavia before offering his business card to the clerk. My efforts are borderline. He helped Jack more than anyone today, and he did it without the robe that gives me hives, but I still can’t look him in the face without breaking into a cold sweat. “I believe Alfonzo has everything he needs from me, but just in case, I placed my cell phone number on the back of my card.”