Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Count me in,” Gabby says.
“Not alone,” he tells her.
“It’s not the mob.” She laughs.
“I’ll go with you, Gabby.”
“He’s right, you know. Just to be on the safe side. Until she’s caught, we don’t know what she has planned next or where she might be lurking.” I hate the thought of Gina out there after my family. I’m not letting her ruin this day, though, Sophia’s birthday. Inside, I’m raging mad, and I won’t stop until she pays for what she’s done.
“You should stay with us,” Winnie tells her.
“No. No way. You have a new baby, and you all need to settle in and get a routine. You don’t need a house guest.”
“You can stay with me.” Chase doesn’t even hesitate.
“Absolutely not,” Gabby says, but there is no heat behind her words.
“Then I’ll stay with you.”
“Have you lost your mind? I’ll be fine,” she tells him. There’s a slight tremor in her voice. One that tells me she’s worried.
“Gabby,” Chase says sternly. “Please.” His voice is quieter now, almost pleading.
If I hadn’t been watching with my own eyes, I never would have believed it. I see Gabby’s shoulders fall, and her features soften. “We’ll figure it out.” It’s not a complete agreement, but it’s close enough. Chase must think so too. He nods his acceptance and that’s that.
Chase pulls his phone out of his pocket, and it reminds me I need to call our parents. “Our parents,” I say to Winnie. “Gabby called them both. They’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
“Detective Benson, Chase Callahan, I have some information that might help with your case.” We remain quiet as we listen to Chase give him the details and our suspicion of Gina. From that night all those years ago, to her being fired and the events that have happened since. “Thank you, sir. We’ll be waiting to hear from you.” Chase ends the call and looks at me. “He’s on it. I guess there’s video footage from the back of the gym. Apparently, there’s a camera she didn’t know about or forgot about.”
“She didn’t know about it. When Winnie started working out there, I realized the back hall wasn’t well monitored; there was a blind spot. And not willing to risk her safety, I had them come and install another camera. It was a Sunday. Gina wasn’t there,” I explain.
“Your alpha male tendencies finally come in handy.” He grins. “Who knew you being a caveman when it comes to Gwen would work out in our favor,” he jokes. My best friend never misses an opportunity to give me shit. “Time to eat,” he says, going back to the table full of tacos and passing them out.
“Then we need to go, let you three get some sleep,” Gabby says.
“We have a newborn. There won’t be much sleep in our future,” I tell her.
“Still. We should get out of your hair. Until later today that is.” Winnie opens her mouth to argue, but Gabby holds up her hands to stop her. “Nope. Chase and I will check on the gym, and we’ll be back to check on you.”
“Chase, please look out for my sister,” Winnie asks.
“I’ve got her,” Chase says. There is conviction in his voice, something I’ve heard from him on very few occasions in our life. I have no doubt he’s not going to be letting my sister-in-law out of his sight.
After we say our goodbyes, the nurse comes in and checks on my girls, asking if we want her to take Sophia to the nursery. We both say no, making her laugh. She reminds us to call if we need anything or change our minds, then walks quietly out the door.
“Alone at last,” I say, rubbing Sophia’s back.
“It’s been an adventure.” Winnie beams.
“Definitely. You did good, Winnie. You did real good.”
“You had a hand in that too.” She smiles. “Why don’t you put her in her bed, then climb in here with me. We need to sleep while she does.”
Doing as she says, I lower Sophia so Mommy can give her a kiss, then place her in her bed. I wheel the bed as close to us as we can get it before kicking off my shoes, and lying down beside my wife. Winnie snuggles up to me and I breathe her in. This is what life is about. The moments, no matter how big or small. Not your career, or how much money you have in the bank. None of that compares to snuggling up with your wife, while your newborn daughter sleeps peacefully beside you.
“It’s not over,” I whisper, kissing her temple.
“What’s not?” she asks sleepily.
“Our story. It’s not over. It’s just beginning.” She hums her agreement as we both drift off to sleep.
Chapter 20
Winnie
* * *
“So King Harrison had some major groundwork to make up to win Queen Gwendolyn’s heart back.” I hear the deep timbers of his voice through the baby monitor beside my bed.