Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Evan grinned at him. “She’ll use her friend as an excuse.”
“I happen to know Foret is planning on taking Molly to his house. He told the other detective Molly was his girlfriend so he’d give his statement and turn over the case to someone else. He’s well liked and has the reputation of a straight shooter. They believe his every word. He made it clear that Garritson had already terrorized Molly, that he’d stalked, kidnapped, raped and beaten her. I think it’s fairly open and shut.”
“Even when Garritson’s family comes down here and refutes that charge?” Evan played devil’s advocate.
“They may try, but more likely, they won’t want the story to get out. They’ll want to do damage control more than try clearing his name.”
“If they’re anything like him, they could send someone after Molly,” Evan said.
Joshua nodded. “Bastien’s making it clear that she’s his. I think that’s in his head, but if it isn’t, we’ll make certain he understands that’s a possibility. People like Blake use contract killers to get back at the people who offend them. Blake was after Molly. He obsessed over her. I know what that’s like. Can’t eat. Can’t sleep. Think about her night and day. Now I know the worst. Fuckin’ Russian mob.”
“You think it’s really a good idea to bring her to the house? The way that Russian was fixating on the painting, I’d be afraid he’d come back with an army to take it.”
“He took pictures of it. He wanted to show his son. They’ll be back. Both of them. Nikita and his son, Sasha. They’re both coming back and they’ll bring that army when they do.”
“You’ll need to inform Drake and come up with an alternate for the pipeline. We still need to have a route for distribution,” Evan said. “More, how does this impact Alonzo, his brother and cousins and Evangeline?”
“I’ve already been thinking about that,” he admitted. “I sent word we needed a meet immediately. They’re setting it up.”
“Right. At your house.” Evan pointed out the obvious.
Joshua swore under his breath and glanced up toward the upper balcony. “She’s still coming to my home, where we can watch over her. I’ll just have to talk to her about everything.”
“I don’t think you have much of a choice,” Evan agreed. “But when you do, give her some space to be upset. She has every right. She isn’t going to like what you are, given who she was involved with.”
Joshua hoped she didn’t try to leave. He’d give her all the time and space she needed, as long as she didn’t try to leave, not when the Russians knew she was alive.
Molly tucked a thin blanket over Sonia after helping her to the bed. “You’re shivering.”
“I think it’s shock more than anything else. Blake was so full of himself. I wish I could say I’m not happy that he’s dead, but he nearly killed Joshua and I think he would have tried to kill me if Joshua hadn’t come.” The intent had been there on his face. He had wanted to kill her to punish Molly. There were consequences to Molly for leaving, and that was her friends paying the ultimate price.
“I’m happy he’s dead,” Molly confessed. “Does that make me a bad person?”
“If it does, then we’re both bad,” Sonia said. “Kai was supposed to be right behind us, Molly. I wouldn’t ever have exposed you to danger. I wasn’t trying to get away from him. Right as we were leaving, Gray told him he’d found something. When they both started back toward the house where Gray thought the recorder was, Blake’s men opened fire on them.”
“Are you blaming yourself for what happened?” Molly’s face paled. “You saved me. If you hadn’t stopped by to see those wormholes for me, Blake would have taken me back with him. That was his intention. I would never have gotten away.”
“Yes, you would have,” Sonia said. “I would have gone looking for you. I would have known it was Garritson who took you and I would have found a way to get you back. Joshua would have helped.” She smirked deliberately. “That is his forte. This time, instead of a bad boy, I chose someone like Bastien. We both maybe got good ones.” She wasn’t going to think about how he might be crazy enough to go after a Russian mobster for her. She was going to just let that go for the night and get through this one without any more drama.
“You’re such a good friend.” Molly had tears in her eyes. “Bastien wanted me to go home with him, but I’m going to stay here and take care of you instead.”
“That’s not necessary, Molly. I’m going to just go to sleep for a little while. I want you to go home with Bastien. I know you’ll be safe with him. The fact that he declared in front of his partners that you were his girlfriend means something big.”