Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Motherfucker!”
I could tell by the look on his face that Billy was just as upset as Country, if not more so, but he did his best to remain calm. “We have to get her back.”
“And we will, but we have to figure out some things first.” Viper looked over to one of the men next to him and said, “Lynch, why don’t you take her down to the family room. Rebecca is there with Cat. They’ll keep Everleigh company while we talk with Billy.”
“Sure thing, Prez.”
I immediately turned to Billy. He gave me a reassuring nod, then took my hand and followed along as Lynch escorted me out of the bar. He guided us both down a long, dark hallway lined with various doors but stopped when we reached a large entryway that led into the family room. Inside, there was an enormous flat screen tv mounted over a fireplace and a couple of oversized sofas and chairs. And if that wasn’t enough, there was also a pool table and dart board in the back.
I was still standing there taking it all in when Lynch said, “Rebecca must’ve gone to the kitchen. Just wait here, and I’ll go see if I can find her.”
Without waiting for a response, Lynch turned and charged down the hall. As soon as he was gone, Billy stepped in front of me and said, “I’m sorry about earlier. Country shouldn’t have...”
“Country is Kiersten’s man, right?”
“Yeah, he is.”
“Then, he had every right to say the things he said. I am at fault.”
“No, this is all on me. This started because of the choices I made, and I will be the one who puts an end to it.” He slipped his arm around my waist and eased me closer. “We’re going to get through this thing. You just have to trust me.”
My breath caught when my eyes locked on his. His intense expression made it difficult to speak. All I could do was stand there and hold his gaze. My pulse started to race, and my entire body felt flushed. He leaned down and kissed me on the temple, then whispered, “It’s going to be okay, Everleigh. You’ll see.”
Before I could respond, Lynch returned with a beautiful brunette and her daughter. The woman looked close to my age and was dressed comfortably in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She had a bowl of popcorn in one hand and her daughter’s hand in the other as she smiled and said, “You must be Everleigh.”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Rebecca, and this is my sidekick, Cat.” She lifted her bowl of popcorn as she announced, “We were just about to watch a movie. Would you like to join us?”
“I would love to.”
“Great.” She turned to Lynch as she said, “We’re good here.”
“Thanks, Bec.”
Before they left, Billy stepped over to me and whispered, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Take your time. I’ll be fine.”
He nodded, then started down the hall with Lynch. My stomach sank the second they turned the corner, and Billy was out of my line of sight. It was a feeling that caught me off guard. The man and the world he lived in was still a mystery to me. I knew the men he worked for were dangerous, and after his exchange with Country, a part of me wondered if he was just as dangerous.
Not that it mattered. I knew there was a good, wholesome side to him.
I’d seen it.
I’d felt it, and I couldn’t stop myself from being drawn to it—from being drawn to him.
I was still standing there thinking about the wonders of Billy when Rebecca whispered, “You don’t have to worry. He’s in good hands. You both are.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“I understand.” She motioned her head toward the TV as she said, “How ‘bout we start the movie? It might help take your mind off things.”
“That’s a great idea.” As we started toward the sofa, I looked down at Cat as I asked, “What are we going to watch?”
“Encanto!” she answered excitedly. “It’s my favorite.”
“She loves all the songs.”
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno is my favorite,” Cat announced.
“It is?”
“Um-hmm.” Cat nodded. “It’s Thatch’s, too.”
“Thatch?”
“The guys call him Viper. He says it’s because they think he’s mean as a snake, but he’s not,” Cat explained. “He’s the best.”
“I’ll be sure and remember that.”
“Okay, kiddo. Let’s get this movie going.”
Cat nodded, then plopped down on the sofa. Rebecca placed the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table, then sat down next to Cat. I followed suit and sat down in the recliner next to them, then watched as Rebecca grabbed the remote and started searching for the movie. She was studying the television screen as she said, “Lynch said you came with Kiersten’s dad.”
“I did.”
“I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet, but I’ve heard good things about him.”