Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Officer Pratt grunts, looking around as his SWAT team compatriots continue to trash my trailer. “We’re searching the premises for any illegal substances. Unfortunately, Apotheosis is a front. It’s a fake religion started by a man named Michael Halpern, also known as Shaman Roku, who brainwashes people into becoming mules for his drug distribution business. Your parents, I’m afraid to say, are part of his criminal enterprise.”
“Bezimba and Trekko are criminals engaged in selling drugs?” I ask, horrified to my core. “Oh my god!”
“What do you know of their activities?”
“Nothing!” I exclaim. “I haven’t seen my parents in years. They literally just showed up fifteen minutes ago.”
“How about you?” Officer Pratt turns to Carl next. “What do you know of the Mackies?”
Carl’s expression is somber as he holds his hands up.
“Nothing. Never met them before, never interacted with them. They just happen to be the long-lost parents of my girlfriend. Come here, baby. It’s going to be alright.”
With that, Carl pulls me into his embrace. I bury my face against his hard chest as those powerful arms encircle me. I feel safe here, even if I know that the crisis is nowhere near over. After all, how in the world did my parents turn into drug smugglers? Are they engaged in other nefarious activities as well?
Meanwhile, Carl lowers his head to mine, whispering in my ear.
“I’ll take care of you, Chloe. I adore you, and we’re not going to let this get the best of us. We’re a team, okay?”
Tears slip down my face as I look up into his handsome features.
“You don’t care that my parents are criminals? This whole SWAT thing doesn’t turn you off?”
He lets out a rough chuckle.
“It isn’t ideal, I’ll give you that. But you had nothing to do with it, Chloe. Your parents made their own choices. They didn’t have to join a cult. They didn’t have to close their eyes to the possibility that their shaman was a drug lord. And most of all, they didn’t have to use drugs themselves. After all, you know what that smell was, right? I don’t think Bezimba and Trekko are only trafficking in drugs. I think they’re users too.”
I break down against his chest.
“They’re addicts,” I say in a broken whisper. “Oh my god.”
“Very likely, yes,” Carl rumbles into my ear, holding me close. “But I adore you anyways, Chloe. I know we haven’t been dating long, but I’ve seen enough already. You’re wonderful, baby, and I’m not going to leave you during this time of turmoil.”
His words only make me cry harder.
“But what about your secret?” I whisper so that only he can hear. “My parents were blabbing about your anatomy, so everyone will know!”
He chuckles roughly, pulling my curvy form close again.
“No one will believe them,” he says in a light tone. “After all, who’s going to give credence to a couple of drug-addled religious zealots? Bezimba and Trekko could walk down Sunset Strip screaming my secret, and no one would believe them. They’d scream themselves hoarse, and it wouldn’t matter. Besides, my secret’s pretty unbelievable, wouldn’t you say? It’s the stuff of fantasy.”
I look up at Carl then, my eyes brimming with tears, before I pull his mouth onto mine with fervor.
“You’re my fantasy man,” I whisper appreciatively. “I adore you, Carl Jonsson. Thank you for sticking with me through these terrible times, and I promise, I’ll make it up to you.”
“No need to promise me anything,” he growls, those blue eyes flaring. “Except more of your luscious body and sweet personality.”
I giggle even through my tears because this man knows exactly how to keep my spirits up.
“Deal,” I promise. Then, our lips lock in a passionate kiss and my heart turns over because I know that the handsome alpha male will stick with me through thick and thin. He’ll make sure that everything works out alright, and I love him all the more for it. After all, I went from bed-hopping with multiple guys at the trailer park, to cooking meals for my one and only powerful lumberjack. Not only that, but Carl’s gorgeous to look at, with a wonderful job, and strong shoulder that I know I can always lean on. Things will improve … because my handsome boyfriend will make it happen.
EPILOGUE
Chloe
It’s been a crazy six months, but I’m grateful that I had Carl by my side as I navigated the tumult. My parents were charged with drug trafficking and unbelievably, they pleaded innocent. Bezimba and Trekko declared that they had received a holy directive from Shaman Roku himself to spread the gospel of opium to the masses. Their claims were so unreal as to be hurtful. I felt utterly betrayed hearing them speak because I thought they were worshiping at a monastery in Neglati while “seeking the truth” and “discovering themselves.” But it turns out that they were making connections with opium growers, and then packaging the drug for distribution all over the world.