Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Easy,” he says.
“I think there’s still a part of Savage in me.”
“Yeah, there is. There’s a part of Phoenix in me.”
“Phoenix?”
“It was my nickname in the SEALs. I had a knack for getting out of scrapes, so they called me Phoenix, like that bird that burns down and then rises from the ashes to live again.”
“I wanted to leave Savage in prison. But it’s not possible.”
“Nope, Falcon. It’s not.”
“They’re going to come for me, Leif. They’re going to come for me because that derelict died. They’ll say that because I’m an ex-con, it was premeditated or something. It doesn’t even have to be premeditated for manslaughter. I went on the inside to protect someone I love. And I would do it again. But that’s not what’s going on here.”
“Maybe you’d be protecting Savannah.”
“Savannah’s guy lived, thank God. The only way I can protect Savannah is if I’m by her side, guarding her. She’s got that rival Austin family after her, so I need to protect her.”
“You’re serious.”
“I am. These feelings I have for her, they’re…” I slam my fist against my heart “They’re maddening. Literally maddening, as if I’m losing myself in them. I feel like a rabid dog, going after anything that gets in the way of what I want. What I love.”
Leif nods, his countenance solemn. “I feel you, Falcon. Believe me. I do.”
“How do you deal with this?”
“You do what you can…without breaking any laws.”
I stand, pace around a bit. “I haven’t broken a law, but that’s not going to stop them from coming.”
“I have resources,” Leif says. “I can get you out of here.”
Right. Resources. Leif could get Savannah and me new IDs and everything else we need. We could leave tonight, I’d bet. Be out of the country by morning.
Sydney runs toward me and drops her ball at my feet. Sammy’s busing getting pets from Leif.
I just adopted a dog.
These two are great dogs, and they could easily find a new home. But I made a commitment to them.
I laugh out loud—a sarcastic and guttural laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Leif asks.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. My thoughts are all over the place. I want to run. But I want to stay, and there are hundreds of reasons not to run.” I shake my head. “And the first thing I think of are the dogs.”
Leif strokes Sammy’s soft puppy coat. “Say what?”
“I know I’m not making sense.” I take Sammy from Leif and hold him to my chest. “I’m not going anywhere, Sammy,” I say softly.
“You changed your mind that quickly?” Leif says.
I place Sammy on the ground and he scurries toward his mother. “I’m not leaving. This is my home. I need to be here for my family. For Raven. For Eagle.”
“I know. You’ve always been a family man, Fal. But the resources are available if you need them.”
“What’s the cost? Just in case, I mean.”
“It’s a bundle, but you can afford it.”
“Yeah, I can.”
“It’s a last resort, though, man. If you do it, you can’t ever come back.”
“I’m not going back into the slammer for killing that asshole. I’d do it to protect Savannah in a minute, but not for any other reason. The only way I’d take you up on that offer is if they come after me and I know she’s protected.”
“She is already. Her guy lived. The most she could get is battery, and it was in self-defense.”
“I know. But if they find out…”
“Don’t forget that her family has resources as well. Resources you probably have no clue about. Mafia organizations have been getting around the law for centuries. They’ve got police officers, DA’s, and judges on their payroll. Savannah will be fine.”
“I hope you’re right. I hate that she’s a part of this.”
“I understand.”
Leif’s statement is simple, but the truth lies in his countenance. He does understand. It’s in the contentment in his eyes, the lack of rigidity in his jawline. He’s been through hell, but he came out the other side and found the love of his life.
I nod. “I think, in your way, you do understand.”
“I do. Kelly’s situation is completely different, but I hate what she’s been through, what she was forced to be a part of. And I agree. I’d mow down anything in my way to protect her from any of that coming back to haunt her. Her so-called father and brother are dead now, thank God, and her mother is a non-issue.”
“And Derek Wolfe’s island…”
“Some stragglers exist. Those who had enough money to buy their way out of prosecution or pay to have their names removed from the FAA manifests. Or who were traveling under aliases and escaped the radar. But they know better than to go after any of those women. Besides, Kelly’s main aggressor turned out to be her own brother.”
“That’s fucked up, man.”
“You’re telling me.” Leif shakes his head. “I saw some nasty-ass shit on my tours, but I swear to God, some of the nastiest stuff in the world took place on that island from hell.”