Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“You couldn’t have predicted someone that close to you would betray you. It would be like my own brother betraying me,” I said.
To that, James nodded.
“How did you and Don end up at the warehouse?” Traveler asked, looking over at Chuck.
“Stan called,” Chuck said. “Said something about how your father had a lead on who went after you guys, and he needed backup, that he couldn’t go because he was taking care of you.” Chuck bit off the last few words, realizing just now what a double entendre that was.
“How’d you get away?” James asked, shaking his head.
“I played dead,” Traveler admitted with a snort. “I figured most people, even cops, don’t know exactly how long four or five minutes is. He gave up soon after I went limp. I went for help at my neighbor’s, but he was asleep. That was when Stan—though I didn’t know it was Stan at the time—realized I was alive and came for me. I ran, stole his car, and drove around to try to find one of you. When I couldn’t, I drove to Navesink Bank.”
“Why didn’t you call—“ Chuck started.
“He stole my phone when I was in the shower.”
“Fucker,” her father growled.
“Got any more questions for her?” I asked, looking at Traveler.
“Can’t think of anything right now. I’m sure something will come up, though.”
“I’m taking Traveler back to Navesink Bank with me,” I told him, watching his brows go up slightly. “This shit needs to blow over. She needs to be safe. I can keep her safe.”
To that, James looked between the two of us, then nodded.
“That would be good,” he agreed.
“I’ll get her a new phone, so you can be in touch with her, until then, I will give you mine,” I told him.
“Sounds like a plan. You need to rest,” James said, looking at his daughter, his eyes softening.
She did.
And eat.
And see Lettie again.
Then rest some more.
She’d been through a fucking lot.
“I will,” Traveler said, standing, then walking a bit awkwardly over to her father, and wrapping her arms around him.
It was clear these two were not huggers.
Their bodies were stiff.
“Be careful,” Traveler begged. “I know you have stuff to do, but be careful. I almost lost you twice already.”
“Almost lost you three times,” James said as they parted. “But we will be safe,” he assured her.
Traveler moved over toward her Uncle Chuck, trying to hug him easily, but the man wrapped her up tight before releasing her.
“And I want updates on Uncle Don,” she added.
“Will do, kid,” Chuck assured her as she moved back toward me.
We said our goodbyes, then made our way back out to the car.
In the back, Traveler curled into my side.
“Thank you,” she said, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I’d say ‘anytime,’ but I’d appreciate you not getting into a life-or-death sort of situation for a while,” I said, getting a small chuckle out of her.
“I plan to soak in your tub and eat your cooking and sleep for a week straight,” she told me. Then, after a pause, in a much smaller voice, “Or longer.”
Oh, it was going to be longer.
I was a betting man.
And I was going to put my money on forever.
I was pretty fucking sure I wanted to spend my life fighting and making up with her.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Traveler - 1 day
I passed out cold sometime on the ride back to Navesink Bank.
Right up until it happened, I would have sworn my mind was racing too much to allow me to sleep.
But I guess the days of exhaustion, fear, and adrenaline had finally caught up with me.
That, paired with the fact that I knew I was safe with August, and I just knocked out. I even somehow slept through getting back to August’s apartment, and getting carried inside.
I didn’t wake up again until the sun was screaming in at me from his large bedroom windows the next day, looking high enough in the sky that I was pretty sure it was closer to noon than morning.
Even so, though, all I wanted to do was pull the blanket over my eyes, and pass back out.
It was my growling stomach and screaming headache that had me grudgingly climbing out of bed, going into the bathroom to find that August had not only set out a toothbrush for me, but that there was also a fresh outfit sitting there, panties and socks included, but no bra. As if that wasn’t enough, there were organic soap and shampoo bars, a hairbrush, ties, and some lotion.
It seemed as though August had set Smush on the task of making me feel at home while I was staying with him.
I wanted to follow my stomach to the kitchen, but I took the time to force myself through a shower and clothes change, brushing my teeth, and my hair. That was a harder task than I’d expected, my scalp sore from being pulled around by my ponytail, but I did my best, then made my way back out of the bath and bedroom.