Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
This was the reason he’d turned to drugs after Deanna’s death. He couldn’t stand the emotions running through him. It felt as though he was literally going out of his mind with worry and grief. If they didn’t hear something soon, he might ask Jinx to tie him to a fucking chair so he didn’t run to his dealer and beg for numbness. Floating on a cloud of fuzzy sensations beat this shit any day.
But the aftermath would bring a new shitstorm of trouble.
“Hey,” Jinx said, concern thick in his voice. “You gonna be able to hold your shit together?”
Lock shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m hanging on by the thinnest fucking thread, and it’s fraying fast.”
Nodding, Jinx glanced at Curly’s office and then back to Lock. “Hasn’t snapped yet?”
“No. But it’s damn close.”
“She’ll need you,” Jinx said with a frown, reaching for his glass of whiskey. He set it down, then shoved it out of reach as though realizing it might not be a wise choice with Lock so damn fragile. “We don’t know what the fuck is going on with her, but there’s a good chance she’ll need you when we find her. You won’t be able to do shit for her if you’re blitzed.”
Yep. “It’s the only thing keeping me sober.”
“Good. Hold on to that.” Jinx reached across the bar and slapped his shoulder. “Cling to it. All you need is one reason to stay away from that shit, and being there for your woman seems like a damn good reason to me.”
Lock nodded. He couldn’t speak, only fight the ramping need for oblivion.
“But if you decide you need to check out, I’m sure Pulse or Ty would be happy to take over when we find her.”
What the fuck? Lock narrowed his eyes.
“Pretty sure I caught Pulse staring at her tits the other day. And you know Ty. He’s a big fan of brown-haired beauties.” He clapped Lock on the shoulder again, then strode away from the bar, calling, “I’ll get an update from Curly.”
Lock stared at his retreating form, his blood boiling for an entirely different reason. Did Pulse want Brenna? Did Ty? Brother or not, he’d end any man who tried to comfort her when it was his job.
He watched Jinx’s retreating form with a scowl. Just as the big guy reached Curly’s office, he turned and winked.
Lock scoffed.
That motherfucker.
Jinx knew precisely what he was saying and that it would be the jolt Lock needed to screw his head straight.
Shaking his head, Lock raised both middle fingers at the lug.
Jinx’s laughter rang out as he disappeared into Curly’s office.
Though he’d never admit it to the chronic prankster, he’d given Lock the reality check he needed to pull his head out of his ass. No matter how bad the cravings got, no matter how much he’d rather anesthetize his mind with drugs than suffer, he wouldn’t cave. He’d hold strong for his woman.
When they found Brenna, he would be ready and present to give her whatever she needed. Whether that be as simple as a hug or a shoulder to cry on, as satisfying as murdering whoever fucked with her, or as heartbreaking as holding her as she processed a more profound trauma, he’d be the one there for her. Something he wouldn’t be able to do if he indulged in his mind-numbing agent of choice.
He wouldn’t let Brenna down, no matter how bad things got or what went on in his head and body.
He’d kill any man who tried to take her.
She was his, and he fucking loved her.
EVERYTHING ACHED.
Her back, her legs, her face, her heart.
Sitting on a concrete floor for what had to be more than a dozen hours sucked. But Brenna would do it a million times over if it could be done without fearing what was to come.
“Tell me again,” she said to Kelsie.
They sat side by side, backs against the impossibly uncomfortable wall. A rock jutted out, gouging into the left side of her back where it’d been for the past few hours, but she hadn’t bothered to move. No position ended the discomfort, so she endured the misery. The pain kept her alert and thinking.
Kelsie sighed. “Why?”
“I want to be ready. I want to know exactly what to expect so I can be prepared. Maybe I’ll be able to use what you tell me to find a way out, or to get help, or, I don’t know, do something.”
“I don’t think there is anything to be done. They have their system down to a science. It’s hopeless.”
The sadness in Kelsie’s voice had alarm bells ringing in Brenna’s ears. “No,” she said, moving for the first time in hours. She crawled in front of Kelsie and gripped her shoulders. Now that they’d talked for most of the day, her youth was apparent and even more heartbreaking. “We’re not saying that word. We’re together, we’re alive, and we’re able to fight. The H word is not allowed, okay?”