Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
As if he’d read my mind, he turned and walked back to the door. I watched as he opened it and closed it. Not once even glancing at me again. Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out my phone and texted Dovie.
Are you good?
That was my typical question. I didn’t want to alarm her with, Put a chair in front of the door, go get my spare gun from under the floorboard in my room, and hide in the closet. That would have been a little dramatic, but right now, I’d feel better if she did just that.
Yep! Watching season four of Never Have I Ever.
A small smile tugged my lips. I didn’t care for the show. I thought it was silly, but I was glad Dovie was watching something age-appropriate for once. When she’d been on a Sons of Anarchy kick, I had hated it and felt like I was failing as a … whatever I was to her. The stepsister who had stolen her from abusive parents and kept her on the run to protect her. Not really a title you could share with people.
I’ll be home soon.
I paused my finger, hovering over the keys, wanting to tell her to finish packing up her things, but knowing that would have her asking questions that I wasn’t going to answer with her there alone. She’d be terrified.
I thought you worked until closing.
I was supposed to. But not anymore.
Change of plans.
The dots appeared immediately, telling me she was typing.
Why? What happened?
Smart girl. She’d been on the run with me for too long. She knew the signs.
Nothing. All is well.
Dots, then …
You’re lying.
UGH! I was not telling her this over a text.
Watch your show and stop being a brat. I’ll be there soon.
More dots.
Fine, but I’m getting the big knife from the kitchen and putting a chair under the door. Knock when you get here.
A bitter smile touched my lips. I hated that she knew this life. But it was better than the one I’d taken her from.
Okay.
I wasn’t about to tell her not to. I’d feel better, knowing she was on alert.
The guitar I used here wasn’t mine. It was one that Bash supplied. He wanted me to use a flashy one onstage, and mine was nice, but it wasn’t anything like the one he had me use. I didn’t have to go back to get anything, and although I needed to tell Bash I was leaving and why, I didn’t have time. I’d text him and apologize that way. It was a shitty thing to do, but Dovie came first.
Grabbing my purse, I slung it over my shoulder, then headed for the door. When I opened it, I came face-to-face with Bash. Shit. He looked at my purse, then back to me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s an emergency. I have to go,” I explained. “I am really sorry about this.”
“Are you in danger, Briar? I know who Storm Kingston is. Do you?”
I nodded. It was a yes to both questions after all.
He ran a hand through his hair and let out a heavy sigh. “Shit. Okay. What can I do to help you? I know Stellan Shephard because my father worked with him some and Stellan helped him with a uh, situation, years ago. It’s how he got the money to open this place. But I’m not tight with them. They’re not people you get tight with.”
I nodded again. “Yeah, I know. It’s not them that my issue is with, if that makes you feel better. Storm came to warn me—that’s all. They won’t be back here, but I-I have to go. As in leave town. I thought I had more time, but I don’t.”
“Jesus,” he muttered. “Okay, right. At least let me go get your tips and pay you what I owe you. If you’re running, you need money.”
Yes, I did. But I had to hurry. “I don’t have much time.”
Bash pulled out his wallet, and I watched as he took out a small stack of one-hundred-dollar bills, then held them out to me. “Take this then.”
I shook my head. “That’s too much.”
It was at least two thousand, maybe more. He owed me a thousand, max.
“Take it,” he demanded, shoving it into my hand. “You need it.”
I hesitated for a moment, then wrapped my fingers around the cash. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back one day. I swear it.”
He shook his head. “Just when it’s safe, come on back. Your job will be waiting on you.”
I’d never be able to come back, but I didn’t say that. I gave him a smile I didn’t feel. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. Go. Be safe. Call me if there is anything I can do to help.”
I started to go, but stopped and threw my arms around him and hugged him briefly. It was rare that men helped me without wanting something in return. The emotion clogging my throat at his willingness to help surprised me. I wasn’t used to it.