Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 79749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Just as the bacon is done frying and the eggs are scrambled, the timer for the oven goes off.
Knowing he said bacon and eggs first, I take that to him before pulling the rolls from the oven. I plate two because despite knowing he won't eat much, he'll still complain if I bring him too little.
I don't know why today is different. Maybe he's too tired or too hungover to be an asshole, but he makes it through his meal, eating one of the two cinnamon rolls, before standing.
"Anything else?" I ask as he walks away.
"I'll let you know," he mutters before leaving the room.
After cleaning up after him, I sit down at the table with my own serving of cinnamon rolls and leftover bacon. I eat slowly because I know his routine enough to know he'll go upstairs, get a shower, and then he'll pass out until the sun starts to set.
The work ethic of my husband compared to what my father always had isn't much of a comparison. Dad wanted to expand the business. Damien seems hellbent on running it into the ground. When he does, I know it'll somehow be all my fault.
Chapter 3
Jericho
Those fucking emails have eaten away at me for days. Despite the fact that I haven't checked the account again, I can still picture her words typed out in black and white.
They've bothered me so much that I've reached out to an old friend I made through my years working for ICE. I don't need people around her wondering why I'm looking backward instead of moving forward with my life.
I've been waiting to hear back from him because I requested him to look into Aspen's life, although I know I have no business checking up on her. I've stayed away because everyone in that organization, other than Damien Gaines, thinks I'm dead, and it's best for everyone if they keep believing that.
I don't know why I think knowing more about her life now will make that itch disappear, but it's the only way I know to scratch it at the moment.
"Excuse me," I tell the other guys in the living room as I stand when my phone rings.
I've been sitting here for the last two hours, pretending to be interested in the show playing on the television, but I couldn't even tell you what is on the damn thing.
"Hey," I say when I step outside on the porch and connect the call.
"You sure you want to be looking into shit like this?" Ricco asks, and I knew I was going to get this shit from him.
The guy, just like many other connections I have, knows exactly how dangerous Damien Gaines and the organization he's leading can be.
They don't like people snooping around, and they never hesitate to silence anyone they think is speaking about them.
"It's not like I can get social media updates," I mutter, knowing it was a risk to reach out to him after all this time.
"True," he says. "Aspen Reese, now Gaines, is Damien Gaines's wife. They've been married for almost eight years. They have a seven-year-old son named—"
"A kid?" I snap. "They have a fucking kid."
"Eli Gaines," Ricco confirms.
I feel like the weight of the world is pressing down on my shoulders. The news drops me to my ass on the front porch steps. She actually had a kid with the bastard. Despite knowing she moved on with her life, I don't think I ever pictured her doing it so spectacularly with a man she claimed to hate. I knew they'd end up married. Her father guaranteed she would although she always fought against the idea, claiming to be scared of him.
"Jericho? You still there?"
"I'm here," I mutter, head dropped into my palm as I fight the sudden wave of a headache.
"You seem upset. Is there something I should know about?"
I scoff. The man isn't linked to me other than this favor I've called in and a few jobs years ago that he helped me out on. It always comes at a cost. He's not a friend, and this information search is costing me a pretty penny. Hell, I can't be a hundred percent sure the guy won't run to Damien and tell him I was looking into Aspen's life. He's not exactly one of those folks who's always keeping his nose clean, and I'm sure every guy that crosses the line has a price.
"Is there anything else?"
"I couldn't find a shipment list of them bringing in drugs or guns, if that's what you're asking."
I shake my head, pinching the bridge of my nose as irritation swims inside of me.
"I knew you wouldn't find shit like that," I grumble.
"You'd be surprised what people put in their digital calendars," Ricco says.
"Anything of importance on Aspen?"
"Nothing else on her. She doesn't get out much. Goes to the hair salon once a week, but that's about it. They have staff that does the shopping. They don't have any deliveries to the house. Their son is in some sort of prep academy, but as I expected, the name and location are hidden. Gaines wouldn't want anyone having access to him."