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)
“Because I know the man who took you.” I reached over and unlocked her cuffs as I explained, “I did something to upset him, so he’s been looking for me. Even came out to your father’s place, and when he didn’t find me there, he decided to use you to force me out of hiding.”
“Why does he want you so bad? Is he your husband or ...”
“Oh, God, no. I could never be with a man like him.” Once I’d removed the cuffs from her wrists, I placed the keys to the cuffs into my t-shirt pocket and said, “I worked for him, and I know things about him and his business that could ruin him. He doesn’t want that to happen, so he’s been doing everything he can to ensure that I don’t talk.”
There was a commotion in the hall followed by a hard thud. Kiersten and I both gasped, then froze with fright. It was at that moment that I realized how stupid I’d been. I’d come there to give myself over to Antonio and put an end to all this, but all I’d done was put another person’s life in danger.
I was silently cursing myself for being so damn selfish when the door flew open, and Matteo came barreling inside. “Something’s going down. I gotta get you two out of here. Now.”
BILLY
When Kiersten was little, there were nights when she’d have trouble sleeping. Instead of calling out to her mother or me, she’d slip out of her bed and creep into our bedroom. With her teddy bear clutched to her chest, she’d stand at the edge of the bed and stare at us, silently pleading that one of us would wake up. Amazingly enough, Grace would sense that she was there and would rise with a start. “Oh, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sweep,” Kiersten would mumble in her sweetest little girl voice.
“Did you have a bad dream?”
By this time, I’d be wide awake and would watch silently as the two navigated through their little ritual. Kiersten would clutch her teddy bear even tighter, then nod with a pout. “Um-hmm. ‘Dares som’thin in my claw-set.”
“I’m sure there’s nothing in your closet, sweetheart. It’s just your imagination.”
“Uh-uhh.” She’d shake her head. “It was a big, sc’wary mons-stir.”
“Do you want me to go check and see?”
“Uh-uhh.” Her eyes would immediately dart over to me. “I want Daddy to go.”
Knowing I had work in the morning, Grace would turn and look at me with apologetic eyes. While it was a bit of an inconvenience, I didn’t mind going. In fact, I rather enjoyed being my daughter’s hero for a brief moment in time, so I didn’t complain as I eased the covers back and pulled myself out of bed. I’d walk over and take my daughter’s hand in mine, and then, together, we’d set out to rid her closet of the big, scary monster.
Before walking into her room, I’d look down at Kiersten and ask, “Do I need to get the poker?”
She’d nod, then watch as I’d rush over and get the fire poker from the living room. Once I had it in hand, I’d tiptoe over to her closet, then open the door ever-so-slowly as I pointed the poker into the dark shadows. I’d make a few dramatic jabs, then flick on the light with a loud, “Gotcha!”
Kiersten would rush over and peer into the closet, checking to see if her imaginary monster was truly gone, and then she’d sigh with relief. “You got ‘em, Daddy.”
“I sure did.” I’d close her closet door, then motion over to her bed and say, “Now it’s time for my girl to get some sleep.”
“But Daddy...”
“No buts, little miss.” I’d ease the covers back and wait for her to crawl inside, then I’d tuck her in. “How’s that?”
“Can you weave the ‘ight on?”
“Yeah, I can leave it on.” I’d brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, then leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, kiddo.”
“Night, daddy.”
I’d leave her room feeling like I could conquer the world.
I would’ve given anything to have that feeling again, especially now when Kiersten’s life truly was in danger.
It had been almost an hour since we’d left the warehouse, and I was still feeling the jitters from the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. I’d been in some pretty tight spots in my time, but none like I experienced in that warehouse. It was pretty intense, but we’d managed to make it through unscathed.
I just hoped the same would hold true for phase two of our plan.
Viper was concerned that one of the guards from the warehouse might’ve tipped DeLuca off, so he demanded that Menace check the security feed one last time before we made our approach. We were trying to be patient, but tensions were running high.