Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Mr. Kylix,” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Call me Ulysses. Listen, Shawna, I have to go. I’ll be waiting Monday evening. Have a good day.”
I hang up the phone with Josh’s father and sigh. He’s been calling every day since that first call. I tried to mention the call, but as soon as I mentioned his father, he got that look and I changed my mind.
I don’t like that side of Josh. It’s so dark and scary. It’s almost like a trigger for me. I’m always thrown back to the kidnappers who took me and Ven or my time with Danny.
I look in the rearview at the car behind me. Linus doesn’t ride with me on weekends when I want to visit family and things like that. Josh agreed because having Linus with me would raise questions. Questions we don’t need or want.
I shake off the call and my concerns and head to Lex’s front door. Ox has a really nice house. It’s fit for a family. I can’t help but wonder if he bought it with Lex and their future in mind.
It’s so clear to see how much he loves her. I ring the bell, still lost in thought. I’m going to have to tell Josh about the calls from his father.
If I keep it from him, it will be worse and I already feel like I’m lying to everyone. While I wait for the door to be answered, I send Josh a text. I smile when his reply comes through.
Josh: We can talk about anything you want as long as you’re in my home tonight.
Josh: I miss you in our bed.
I’ve been staying at my place. I had some work things and given my place is in Bridge Lake, closer to work, it’s just been easier.
“Hey, Shawnnie,” Ven sings, pulling my attention.
I look up and everything happens so fast. I stumble forward into the house and Ven rushes by me. The next thing I know, shots are being fired. I drop to my knees and curl into a ball as glass and bullets fly everywhere.
I’m so confused. My heart is racing. I think I’m going to be sick.
I’ve done it again. I’ve brought harm to the ones I love. I did this.
“Are you guys okay?”
No, I’m not. I’m in shock. However, I fall back on what’s become my coping mechanism. I start to lie because the truth doesn’t make sense.
Why was Linus shooting at us?
“Yeah, that’s that car that’s been following me,” I say.
“Someone has been following you?” Ven seethes.
“I thought so. I still get paranoid. I wasn’t sure at first.”
“How long?” Ven barks.
“Since my last date with Kelex. Two weeks?”
“Does Kelex know?” Lex asks.
Oh God. When I tell him this, he’s going to be pissed. I begin to wring my arms.
None of this makes sense. Linus is supposed to be protecting me, not shooting at me, but that was his car.
“No, I didn’t say anything. Like, what can he do?” I snort.
It’s an honest question. I know Josh is going to be upset, but if I were in danger, what could he really do to protect me? He’s a CEO, not Bryan Mills.
“If your new boyfriend is who I think he is, a whole fucking lot and you need to tell him.”
Ven looks at Lex and pulls a face. I stare at my cousin as my eyes fill with tears. Not telling her the truth hasn’t kept her out of harm’s way. It seems to have made it worse.
I’ll have to fix this. I’ll find a way to fix this. My bad luck can’t keep hurting those I love.
“He’s not my boyfriend. I’m not his problem.”
“What?” they say in unison.
“I think it’s time you and I talk,” Lex says.
“Where’s your piece?” Ven demands.
“Home.”
“Excuse me? You’re the senator’s daughter and you’re seeing a guy who has enemies.”
I stare at Lex, this time wondering what she’s talking about. She just got to town. What could she know about Josh that I don’t?
“Okay, what aren’t you telling me about Kelex? What enemies?” Ven says and narrows her eyes.
“Read the room, Ven. You fuck with killers. Half of your friends, including your husband, are savages. The kid is the only one I might give a pass, but his wife is questionable in my book. The fighter, it’s in him. Push comes to shove. He might pull a trigger or two.”
My brain starts to glitch. I don’t know the assholes well, but I can totally see Lex’s point. They all carry an air of danger, but Pit, Ox, and Kelex are different. They wear that danger.
“Y’all been doing too much ballroom dancing. Y’all know what a savage looks like. Why do you think your panties get so wet for the guys you both chose?
“You both know in your hearts you gravitate to danger. I’m not the only one. Tell that man you’re being followed, Shawn, and stop leaving the house unarmed.”