Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36007 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36007 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Oh no. This has been my fear from the very beginning when I left Charleston. You never know what you might get with Travis. Sometimes he does great. Other times he goes off the rails and finds himself in a mess.
I tried to talk Rae into coming with me, but it wasn’t realistic. I was staying on campus since it was paid for. Plus, Rae couldn't leave Travis, which I get. She always thinks she has to take care of him because she’s the older one. Even if she’s only two minutes older than him.
“How bad?”
“I need you to come here—or maybe I need you to hide. I don’t know. There is this man, and Travis stole from him, but he had to or else he’d be in trouble with this other man who is just as scary, but now Castillo is saying we can fix this, and no one has to get hurt, but you have to come, and I—”
“Breathe,” I say, cutting her off. She sucks in a breath, letting it out slowly. All her words are coming out rushed, and I think they are jumbled together because I’m kind of confused. Because what the heck does any of Travis’ stuff have to do with me? I wait for her breathing to even out more. The last thing I want is for Rae to have a panic attack. It’s been a long time since she’s had one. Once I can tell she’s a bit better, I push for more so I can figure out what the hell is going on. “Can you tell me more?”
“They’re going to hurt him. Even if Castillo just pressed charges and sent Travis to jail, I think they can still get him in there. I can’t lose him, JJ.”
“I’m coming,” I tell her.
I have no clue what the hell is going on, but she needs me. Rae never asks for anything, and she loves unconditionally. I don’t think I would have made it in the foster system if not for her. She’s always this bright light even in the darkest of times. I hate hearing her so freaked out. It’s not like her.
“You’ll come?”
“Yes, I’ll get the first flight out that I can.” She bursts into tears. “Honey, please. It will be okay. We will figure it out.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. This is what family does,” I remind her. She’s said those words to me so many times over the years. She’s always been my rock, and now it’s my turn to return the favor.
“I love you, JJ.”
“I love you, too. I’ll be there soon, and we’ll get Travis out of this mess,” I reassure her before I end the call.
“You’re leaving? Right now?” I spin around at the sound of Mr. Lawson’s deep voice. He’s standing by the door, but it’s closed. I didn’t hear him come in and close it behind him. How long has he been standing there listening to my conversation?
“I have to go.” It’s as simple as that. I know there will be consequences to me leaving, but I would do anything for Rae.
“You know what that means?” I nod. I’m so fired. Mr. Lawson is quick to let people go for far less than this. “Who was that on the phone?”
“My best friend, Rae. Actually, she’s like a sister to me. We were placed in the same home when I was in foster care.”
“Foster care.” He says the words like they taste gross in his mouth. “Who is this Travis guy?” he asks next.
What is with all the questions? I’m pretty sure this is the most I’ve heard him talk outside of meetings in all the months I’ve been here. He hasn’t asked me one personal question in my life. Still I answer. Maybe it’s some sort of miracle and his cold heart is starting to defrost. I mean, is it possible that he’s going to show me some compassion and understanding, and let me go without firing me?
“Travis is her twin brother.” He cocks his head to the side but doesn’t say anything.
The quiet stretches for what seems like forever, and I’m about to tell him I have to go, but a knock sounds at the conference room door a second before it starts to open. Eva pops her head in. Her nose scrunches when she sees me.
She’s never liked me. I know it’s partly because of how quickly I got a position as one of Lawson’s assistants, and also because of where I come from. I don’t wear fancy, expensive clothes. She thinks I don’t belong, and honestly, I’m not sure I don’t agree with her most days.
“Sir, downstairs alerted me that the Stone Brothers are here along with—” She stops talking when Mr. Lawson raises his hand. I always hate when he does that, but it’s kind of funny when he does it to her. She fights to keep a sour look off her face, but it doesn’t matter. He’s not even looking her way.