Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
He shoves me aside and points a finger at me. “Enough with the names and ridiculing. I’m this close to handing you over to—”
Ziiip!
We both jerk our attention to the person’s head entering our tent. Michael’s hard gaze locks on to me as he speaks to CJ. “Handing her over to whom?”
“Nothing,” CJ mumbles. “What’s up? Everything okay with Stacey?”
“She’s in labor. I need a favor,” Michael grunts. He finishes unzipping the tent and thrusts Declan at me. “Keep an eye on my boys. Can I trust you to do that, Raegan?”
His boys?
It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue about whose boys they actually belong to, but my need to protect overshadows the need to retaliate in this moment.
“Of course,” I rush out, quickly snatching my little brother and pulling him to me. “Hey, buddy. It’s okay.”
Declan starts to cry again and clings to me like he never wants to let go. Michael ushers Dakota inside next. Kota scrambles to sit beside me, leaning his head against my arm.
“It’s going to be a long night,” Michael grumbles before disappearing.
CJ, sitting in only his dirty underwear, gives me a sour look. Oh no, he can’t rape me now because we have an audience. Poor guy. Ignoring him, I hug Dakota and Declan, whispering assurances to them. On a normal day, me and Dakota fight like the brats we are, but not this day. This is not a normal day and all our sibling rivalry is pushed aside.
We have to stick together.
I have to protect them.
Aside from being wet and miserable, I’m thrilled. I have my baby brothers with me for the first time since we set out on this horrible journey and I have a small weapon. I just need to get Ronan, Dez, and Sadie. Since Sadie is closest, I can start with her.
“Can you ask Sadie to come help?” I ask CJ, refusing to look at him in case he can see the deception on my face.
He huffs. “No. Absolutely not.”
Snapping my head up, I glower at him. “I can’t possibly get the boys warm and calm all by myself.”
“I can help,” he says, moving like he’s going to come toward us.
Dakota screeches and kicks out at him, his small boot hitting him square on the chin. CJ curses but pulls back as he rubs his jaw.
“What the fuck, little dude? I was trying to help.”
I scowl at CJ until he sighs heavily. “Fine.”
Me and Dakota watch as CJ grumpily redresses, once again flashing his crusty underwear. Dakota lets loose a giggle.
“He shat his pants,” I whisper, earning more giggles from him.
Declan buries his face against my chest, but his body moves as he giggles too. He doesn’t know what he’s laughing about, but at least he’s cheered up enough to join in.
CJ looks us over, face marred with confusion, before heading back outside the tent. As soon as he’s gone, I nudge Dakota to get him to peer up at me.
“As soon as Sadie’s here, we’re going to leave,” I whisper. “She and I can take him. I’m going to have to carry Deck, but I will need you to run faster than you ever have. Can you do that, Kota?”
He nods, eyes wide with worry. “It’s dark and rainy.”
“It’s our only chance of escape.” I lean forward and rest my forehead against his. “We can do this.”
I pull away as soon as Sadie enters the tent. She glances over both boys and then peeks at me, a frown of bewilderment on her face.
“Dakota is cold. Can you get him warm and comfort him?” I ask, hoping to convey with just my eyes that I have a plan.
Her eyes flash with understanding. “Of course. Come here, Kota.”
CJ enters the tent once more. He gripes as he strips out of his wet clothes again. Dakota whispers to Sadie that CJ pooped his pants, which makes all four of us laugh at his expense.
“Deck,” I say, voice light. “You’re so heavy. Can you sit right here next to me?”
He protests, his whines quickly turning to tears. I shoot Sadie a panicked look.
“I have a secret to tell you,” Sadie says to Declan. “We don’t want poopy pants CJ to hear.”
“I didn’t shit my pants,” CJ calls out, scowling.
We all erupt in another fit of laughter. During the commotion, I manage to slide Declan to my left between me and Sadie. Clutching the bone tight in my grip, I listen to Stacey wail in pain while watching CJ attempt to get warm.
Stacey’s tent must be busy because I hear several panicked voices coming from it. I’m starting to think now or never. I wait until CJ’s back is to me and his breathing evens out, which feels like an eternity. Finally, I make my move.
“Cover their eyes,” I mouth to Sadie.