Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
He ran a hand down the length of her long hair. How did he say he had all the same concerns, but they still had to find a way to keep moving forward until they heard something more?
“How then can we keep my mother safe?” Shanna’s cell phone rang before he had time to answer. She pulled away, giving a single shake of the head, her fists tightened. She reached for the phone, giving a quizzical look then swiped a thumb over the screen. “Shanna Fox.”
Her chin hit her chest as her eyes closed. Instinct had Cash walking toward her. “No, he’s here with me right now.”
“Joe, check Dev’s location,” Cash directed, instantly knowing Dev had played them again.
“You don’t have to do that, Joe,” Shanna said and extended the phone to Cash. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Cash brought the phone to his ear as Joe pulled up the feed from Dev’s surveillance equipment on his monitor, turning the screen toward Cash. It showed a stationary view of the inside of the clubhouse.
“Goddammit.”
“Hey, that’s my word,” Dev drawled in the silly teasing way he had. “Did you mean to say it?”
“Where are you?” Cash barked harshly.
“When did you find out I was missin’?” Dev inquired. Apparently neither were willing to answer a question.
“Goddammit, Dev. What game are you playing now?” Cash let disgust lace every syllable.
“Listen to me, pretty boy. I need you to come with Shanna. Do it for me,” Dev said, his normal gruff tone gentling. “Trust me and get here. I’m alone. And safe.”
“You don’t know that. There’s no way you can know if you’re safe. Where’s Trace?” Anger darkened the edges of Cash’s vision. Oh hell, this might be the big one. His heart slammed against his ribcage.
He dropped his arm, bringing the cell down with it. He took a single deep calming breath, exhaling slowly, trying to get control of his anxiety. It barely helped.
“I’ll be back,” Cash finally said to Joe.
“Do I notify anyone?” Joe called out as Cash took long, purposeful strides toward the staircase.
Cash weighed his answer until Dev whistled one of those ear-piercing sounds he was so good at. He brought the phone back to his ear under extreme duress. “What?”
“You’re not gonna want anyone to see this before we build a plan,” Dev said.
Cash growled and said the only thought in his head, “I’m gonna lock you up to protect you from you.”
Joe laughed, so not the reaction he’d expected, but Cash was dead serious.
“You don’t want me in prison,” Dev teased playfully. “Then others would have access to my pretty hole. How would you compete?”
“Oh, but I do want you in prison. Solitary. Any man who stands to his full height while shots are being fired needs to be locked away where no one can get to him. You’re insane, Dev,” Cash said, taking the steps down the staircase in a full jog.
“So what does that say about you lovin’ me?” Dev asked with a laugh. “Last night, you were asleep when I got home. I couldn’t sleep and got lost in lookin’ at you. I remembered hints of you in my elementary school class. You were always saying hi to me every chance you got. I figure you’ve wanted me for a long time. That has to make you as crazy as I am.”
Cash didn’t answer as he made it to the bottom step where Shanna waited.
“Every time I talk to you my life feels better. You’re a special man.”
Such bullshit. He handed the phone to Shanna.
“Keep him on the phone for the entire drive and try not to lose your shit while talking to him. He’s impossible to deal with,” Cash said loud enough for Dev to hear. He rounded the corner and took long strides to the parking area. If it was a fifteen-minute drive, he planned to make it in ten, and honestly, he might just punch Dev in the gut for all the trouble he constantly caused. “Let Joe know to hold up until we know more.”
“Did I tell you I have the girls homeschooled until after the holiday?” Shanna asked, following after him. She paused so long before speaking that they were in the seats of the car, rolling backward out of the parking space before she said, “No I don’t believe he’s calmer now. He’s got a flush on his face and his movements are jerky. He’s mad.”
“Don’t say another word about me,” Cash directed. For the first time, he understood Dev’s frustration with the closed gate. He’d prefer to be peeling away rather than unlatching the damn thing.
“I’ve been given instructions not to talk to you about him so let me update you on the plans I’ve made. We’ve booked every run-down motel and hotel in the area. I’ve had to start booking rooms in Richardson then down to Grand Prairie. There’s no way all these clubs are gonna fit at the cemetery. And Mack has a daughter. Did you know that?”