Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Dempsey gives me a nod and then walks over to talk to the old lady who lives next door, who’s watching us from her front porch. I rush back inside to grab my phone and make the call I don’t want to make.
By the time the fire department and the first responding officers arrive, I’m bursting at the seams. I want to get in my car and chase after those bastards who did this.
The next half hour I spend, long after the fire has been put out, explaining to the officers who I think did this. They take their notes but don’t seem impressed by the fact I think it’s a motorcycle gang responsible. I’m about to give up completely and do whatever I can to get them to go away when a shiny red Porsche pulls up along with the twinkling of the sunrise.
Great.
Tanaka climbs out of his overpriced toy and stalks my way. It’s not even six in the morning and the man is wearing a crisp suit with not a black hair out of place. Must be nice to always be so put together. He probably sleeps in his stupid suits.
“Thurman,” Tanaka greets, voice icy. “What happened here?”
One of the other officers fills in our chief, their tone almost mocking as they parrot what I’d said about the motorcycle club. The statement doesn’t bore Tanaka but instead enrages him. A vein throbs on his forehead as he glowers at me.
“It’s true,” I grit out, needing to defend myself from his anger. “I heard them with my own ears. I’m not crazy.”
Tanaka clenches his teeth, nostrils flaring. “And what did you do to provoke such an attack?”
Seriously, asshole?
Dempsey, sensing my tension, comes to stand right behind me, the heat of his body giving me much-needed strength.
“They’re criminals,” I say, seething. “Why don’t you go ask them instead of giving me the third degree?”
Tanaka glances at Dempsey and recognition flickers in his eyes. Then he turns his attention back to me, his features returning to their normal, cool, stone-like facade.
“You’re making a lot of bad decisions lately, Thurman. Decisions that could ultimately impact your career. I suggest you take the day off and get yourself in order.” He waves a dismissive hand at me. “See you Tuesday.”
As Tanaka drives away, my heart dive bombs to the ground at my feet. I can’t let the new, corrupt chief destroy my career just because he has a vendetta against me for doing my damn job.
I can’t let him take this job from me.
I won’t.
Dempsey
Her chief is such a dick. I wanted nothing more than to put him in his place, but luckily, Sloane can hold her own. Even though he treated her like dirt, she kept her chin up.
Now that it’s just the two of us again, she’s grown somber and withdrawn. So much has happened to her lately. I wish I could relieve the burden in some way. She settles on the sofa, losing herself to her phone screen. I’d love nothing more than to sit and pull her into my arms, but she needs to eat.
I busy myself in the kitchen, making waffles, fried eggs, and sausage links. By the time I’m finished and dusting powdered sugar on the waffles, she appears in the kitchen, eyes wide and curious at the spread I’ve made.
“Careful, Demps,” she says with a sweet smile. “You keep this up and I’m going to get used to it. You’ll have to cook me breakfast every day.”
Chuckling, I hand her a plate. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
We decide to eat at her bar, side by side, neither of us speaking much as we inhale the food. When we finish, she helps me clean up and put away the leftovers. I love how we work around each other with what feels like practiced perfection.
“Come on,” I say when finished. “We’re going to grab some coffee and then head to the hardware store.”
She beams but then her smile falls at the last part. “Wait? What?”
“I want to board up those broken windows for you. Don’t worry. I’ll make it quick.”
Based on the grimace on her face, I can tell the hardware store is not her favorite place, but coffee was the perfect lure to get her to go with me.
As we run our errands, we actually have a nice time despite the shitty morning. I learn a lot about Sloane as we drive.
She loves going to the movie theater but never has anyone to go with.
At least I know where I’m taking her on our first actual date.
She also dislikes doing laundry but enjoys playing in the flowerbeds. Cooking is the bane of her existence, but my girl loves to eat.
I also reveal things about myself like how I’ve always felt overshadowed by my sister. That I hate being referred to as a kid instead of the man I am. How I love hanging by the pool but haven’t done so much this summer. I even admit to how much I’ve always wanted a dog but Dad never let us get one.