Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“I love you too.” My throat gets tight. “Promise me you’ll be safe while you’re gone.”
“I promise.” He kisses me once more then glances at his watch. “I need to go. I’ll call you.”
I don’t say a word. I watch him climb behind the wheel and start up the engine. I wrap my arms around my stomach as he pulls out of the driveway and stand there long after he disappears out of sight.
“Come inside, sweetie. It’ll all be okay,” Cora says, wrapping her arm around my waist. I let her lead me into the house and stop just inside when I catch sight of Jasper walking into the living room, carrying a rifle and a cleaning kit.
“If anyone tries to come for you, they’re going to be in for one hell of a surprise.” He sets both items on the coffee table and heads back into his office. When he comes out again, he has two more rifles.
My jaw drops, and I whisper, “How many guns does he have?”
Cora’s voice is serious when she answers, “More than enough.”
Lord, Justin better get home soon.
Chapter 16
JUSTIN
“I CAN’T BELIEVE my sister married your ass and my parent actually like you,” Aedan mutters as he pulls his car into the departure line at the airport.
“Get over it.” I send a text to Aubrey to let her know I’m catching a flight home in the next hour and will be at my parents’ to pick her up tonight. I did what I needed to do to make sure she’s safe, and no one will ever know what happened to her. And after the paperwork I pushed through clears, Jenna will be officially mine, leaving no trace of her real father.
“I’d like to reconnect with my sister.”
Fuck. “I don’t know if I’m okay with that. I don’t want my girls mixed up in your shit,” I tell him, shoving my cell into the front pocket of my jeans.
Not only is Aedan a drug dealer, but he’s now one of the biggest in the US after what happened.
“I want the chance to know my niece.”
Anger curls up in my belly. If he would’ve had his way, there would be no Jenna, and I can’t imagine a world without her in it.
“I know I fucked up. I know I did. I should have listened to Aubrey about keeping her. I know I should’ve figured something out, but I love my sister, and I know what could’ve happened to her if the truth came out about who Jenna’s father was.”
“I’m her father.” I turn in my seat to face him. “If you ever get back into your sister’s good graces, you need to understand that.”
“Fuck, man.” He jerks his fingers through his hair. “You’re right.”
I blow out a breath and attempt to get my temper under control before I say something I might regret. “Your sister loves you. Just give her time. Right now, all she’s thinking about is Jenna not being here and why that would’ve been.”
“I’ll give her time. Just… fuck, please just talk to her. I miss her.”
“I’ll talk to her,” I tell him, opening the door and getting out, unwilling to say more. Whatever happens between him and Aubrey will happen when she’s ready, and not before then. I walk to the trunk, pound it with the back of my fist, and it pops open. I swing my duffle up over my shoulder then, without another look in his direction, I head into the airport to catch my flight home to both my girls.
“Is that how you greet visitors now?” I grin at my dad as he steps out onto the porch with a shotgun in his hand.
“All I saw were headlights. I didn’t know who was here.” He opens the door wide to let me through as he returns the gun to the case on the wall. “Glad you’re home.”
“Me too. Thanks for looking after my girls while I was away.”
“You know I’m here anytime you need me.” He pats my back as my eyes meet Aubrey’s across the room.
“Hey.” She smiles at me from the doorway of the kitchen.
I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her, holding her close. “I missed you.” I breathe in her scent, letting it wash away everything I saw and did.
“I missed you too.”
It’s been too long since I’ve held her, and I don’t want to let her go, hating it when she releases me so my mom can hug me.
“As much as I’ve loved having Aubrey and Jenna here with us, I’m so glad to have you home safe.” My mom gives me a look that asks a million questions, questions I’ll never answer. I’ve told my dad some of what I’ve been doing the last few months, but even he doesn’t know all the details.