Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I just know who to put in what situation. I’m assigning someone to Shawna. It’s the smart thing to do. Speaking of which.
“I thought you had someone watching my family. You said it wouldn’t come to this,” I seethe into the phone as I come out of my thoughts.
“The parties responsible for allowing this are no longer with us. I sincerely apologize. I’ve already begun to look in-house for the root of the problem now that it has been brought to my attention,” Uncle Blake says tightly.
I grunt. “You need me to complete the job?”
“Not this time. This is too personal for you. I have it covered. You still haven’t talked to her, have you?”
“This wasn’t about Lex. Shawna says the car has been following her,” I say. “She’s been dating Josh. Should I be tagging him?”
“No, I have someone watching his back. If they are following her, they don’t get close when she’s with him.”
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Remember Ricky Simmons?”
“Vaguely, what about him?”
“He thought he’d get away with stealing because he did all his business in Sunnyside. The car, the house, he purchased everything there so he wouldn’t draw attention. He thought he was out of reach.”
“Oh, right. That asshole. Didn’t learn his lesson the first time even after I made him swallow his teeth.”
“Clearly someone is taking a page from Ricky’s book. The problem with that is Ricky didn’t see the consequences coming although his eyes were wide open.”
The consequence was a bullet from my gun. He did die with his eyes wide open. The image stayed in my head for weeks.
“Don’t get comfortable. You think this isn’t about Lex? Let me remind you everything in Vander and Bridge Lake is always connected.”
“Don’t you think now would be the time to tell me what Lex knows yourself?”
“No, if she’s your wife, have a conversation with her.”
“Uncle Blake,” I snap.
“Anthony,” he deadpans.
“Come on. I don’t want to bring her into this.”
“Nice try. I’ll tell you what. I want to meet her. I’ll make reservations. Maybe you’ll find your balls and ask her if I hold your hand.”
“Fuck you.”
“You’re fucking yourself. Just ask her the damn question,” he snarls then hangs up.
“Fuck,” I hiss and toss the phone onto my desk.
My phone rings and I pick it back up. Seeing its Pit, I groan and answer. I close my eyes and roll my neck before I speak.
“She’s safe. I pulled up as they were speeding off. They got away, I didn’t get a look at them,” I grumble.
“I’m outside your house looking at this shit. What has Lex told you? I need to know so I can piece this together. Now.”
“We never had the talk.”
“What? Why the fuck not?”
“Because I just got my wife back and I didn’t want to fuck my marriage up all over again,” I seethe.
“Bro—” He starts but pauses as his voice moves away from the phone. “Give me that. Go back inside. I’ll be in in a minute. No, Mayven, I don’t know what’s going on. That’s what I’m trying to find out. Take your little ass inside.”
I make my way through the house and step outside while he’s talking. When I get to the front yard, I find Skittles fussing at Pit as he examines her pistol in his hands. I hang up as I look around at the damage again.
“Ugh, I’m not going to be kept in the dark. I’ve been ignoring too much as it is.”
“Well, we’re all in the dark at the moment. Where’s Lex?”
“I’m right here,” Lex says from behind me.
“Baby girl, what aren’t you telling us?”
“Pit,” I warn.
“Nah, Bro. My wife emptied half a clip. This ends here.”
“I told you guys all I know. I mean, all I knew at the time. Uncle Marvin shared some things earlier, but I don’t think any of that has anything to do with this.”
“Well, let’s go have a talk.”
“Can it wait until we find a place for tonight?” Lex asks tiredly.
“You guys can stay with us. Problem solved, now let’s chat,” Pit grunts.
Chapter 50
Missing
Ox
We’ve been staying with Pit and Skittles for three days now. Nothing Lex told Pit seemed like anything useful. Although, I did spend the night consoling her.
When we started dating, she told me her mother had left her dad. What she said the other night about her mom made me curious.
It didn’t click anything into place for me, but from the way Pit paled, I got the feeling it clicked something into place for him. I just haven’t been able to corner him to find out what. It’s like he’s been avoiding me.
Which is crazy because we’re staying under the same roof and we work at the same place, but for three days, my brother has danced out of the room when he sees me coming.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into things. The bar was crazy last night and for the first time in a long time, Uncle Blake called me in to handle some business.