Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I nod, but my heart aches.
For me.
But mostly, for him.
Because this can’t be easy on him. And yet, it shows just what kind of person he is, that he’s doing it, because it means he doesn’t want to hurt anyone, and that takes a lot. He’s putting us first, instead of his own feelings and needs.
I respect that.
“I understand, and I agree. For us all to get over this, we need to spend time apart.”
He nods. “If anything happens, anything at all, in regard to Ashton, I need to know, though. Understand?”
I nod.
He nods.
“I’m goin’ to bed. Goodnight, Penelope.”
And the way he says my name, that kind of hurts the most.
This sucks.
Dammit.
“Goodnight, Boston,” I murmur, watching him disappear down the hall.
Well.
This isn’t how I wanted things to go.
~14~
NOW – CHANTELLE
I stare at the pregnant woman standing at my door and, for a moment, I don’t say anything, I just glare at her. She has to know, god, she has to know, that I despise her. If she wasn’t pregnant, I’d probably launch right on over and kick her in the fanny, just for existing and being the snot ball of a human being that she is.
But I can’t do that.
Because she’s pregnant, and that would be cruel.
I can imagine it, though. And I do, in slow motion. It’s rather satisfying.
“What are you doing here, Yolanda?” I ask, crossing my arms.
I just got back from a jog, and my heart is still racing, my body covered in sweat. It helps me clear my head, helps me get back into the game. Which is what I need after Boston dropped the bomb this morning after his little conversation that I overheard him having with Penny. He is creating distance. Limited contact. Only if it involves the situation going on, otherwise, he has to stay away.
From both of us.
Seems like I’m getting the raw end of the deal, considering Penny lives with him. But whatever.
I won’t beg. I won’t chase him. I’ve never been that pathetic, and I’m not about to start.
I’ve got this.
I do.
Right?
“I’m here on behalf of Enzo,” Yolanda says, arms crossed, belly starting to round out.
I snort. “You’re still talking to that douchebag? Honestly? He didn’t even care if you got hurt and you’re here on his behalf. What for? Saskia told you she doesn’t want anything to do with you or your child. Same goes for me.”
Yolanda studies me. “I’m pregnant with Enzo’s baby. I want to make a go of it. I want this to work, so I’m doing what I have to. He gets out soon, you know this, and because of Saskia and the club, there is a lot of heat on him. He owes a lot of people, and because he didn’t deliver when he said he would, he has bad men after him. He’s not happy about it. You betrayed him, you lied, and now you owe him.”
I smirk. “I owe him nothing.”
“But you do. Because you didn’t come through with the money you promised, we’re in danger. I’m in danger. My baby is in danger. Enzo is in danger. So, he’s going to get what you owe him, pay them all off, and we’re going to disappear when he gets out. It’s our only option and you’re going to help us.”
I raise my brows. “What makes you think I’d ever help you? Or that scumbag that nearly got my best friend killed? It’ll never happen, Yolanda, and you can tell him that. You can also tell him all the threats in the world won’t work. I’m not afraid of him. Not even close.”
Yolanda smirks. “He said you’d say that. So, he told me to remind you that he has people, high up people, bad people, and they’re more than willing to do what it takes to get you to agree considering he’s otherwise occupied at the minute.”
I raise my brows. “Are you threatening me?”
She shrugs. “It isn’t a threat, more of a promise. We’ll do what we have to do, Chantelle. You’re a road block, but we will knock you down. We’re going to do what it takes to have a safe life for our baby, and until these people are paid off and we have the cash we need to disappear, we’re not safe. Which means you’re not safe.”
I snort. “Firstly, you desperate little bitch, I highly, highly doubt paying those men off and disappearing is going to ensure your safety. Don’t you watch television? They’re going to kill you anyway, money or no money, for the sheer sake of it.”
Yolanda’s face pales a little. “Not if we pay them and run, change our names, have some extra cash to hide away. Enzo is smart, he can get us there, we just need the money.”
“You sound desperate now,” I mutter. “And I wasn’t done. Secondly, what makes you think I’d be scared enough of Enzo, and some stupid threat to hurt me, that I’d just give you a heap of cash and be on my merry way?”