Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I have to push all of that out of my head before I tap on the door. The only sound that comes from inside is Dad’s voice ringing out in response. “Come in.” I roll back my shoulders and lift my chin before striding into the room like there’s no problem.
“Good morning.” Like the good little daughter I am, I walk around his desk and lean down to kiss his cheek. “How are you feeling today?” I ask. He looks tired as hell. Maybe his conscience is bothering him. I can’t imagine how it wouldn’t. I know he thinks he’s doing what’s right for the family, but Ren thought he was doing the right thing, too.
“The kid who tried to murder your brother and your pregnant sister-in-law is still locked in one of the cells downstairs.” He gives me a sour look before snickering and rolling his eyes while I try not to react to the mention of pregnancy. “I’m feeling wonderful, in other words.”
There’s an easy way to fix that. Just let him go. Nope, that wouldn’t get me anywhere. I have to bite my tongue hard enough to hurt, but at least I manage to keep my thoughts silent.
“Did you want to see me? Mom said I should visit you this morning.” Rather than sit in one of the chairs arranged close to the desk, I plop my ass on the corner and fold my hands in my lap.
“Yes, I thought we should talk. There are a few things I would like to clear up between us.” He sits up a little straighter in his chair, all business.
My heart is hammering, but I play it off, shrugging. “Okay. What’s on your mind?”
He narrows his gaze, looking me up and down. “What is this?” He waves a hand in my general direction, cocking his head to the side. “What’s the angle?”
“Who says I have an angle?” All that gets me is a smirk, which makes me groan in frustration. I have to bite my tongue again and calm myself down before adding, “I’m trying to be a grown-up. I’m trying to, you know, meet you halfway. That’s all.”
“I’m impressed you’ve turned over this new leaf.” His smirk doesn’t go away, though. If anything, it widens. In other words, he doesn’t believe me. “I’ve come to a decision. A way for us to both get what we want.”
“Let’s hear it.” It’s not easy to hide my voracious curiosity, but something tells me I need to. I want to show him I can handle whatever is about to happen without freaking out or losing my temper. I can’t afford to make any mistakes if I want to see Ren.
“You are free to visit with Ren whenever you want.”
I didn’t expect that, and I sure didn’t expect it to come out that way. “Really?” I ask once I find my voice. He always has the upper hand. I should know that by now. He’ll always find a way to surprise me.
Holding up a finger, he adds, “On one condition.”
I knew better than to think there were no strings attached. “What is it?”
“I want to have another tracker implanted in you.”
There might as well be a big, glaring spotlight shining on me. Or maybe it’s the headlights of an oncoming truck. Either way, I’m a little off-balance, but do my best to recover. “Oh, is that all?” I ask with a shaky laugh.
“I know how you feel about it.”
“But you still want me to get it?”
Shrugging, he says, “Those are my terms. You’re free to go down and see him. You can spend all of your time with him, if you want. That’s up to you. But not unless I know where you are at all times. How many more dangerous situations do you need to get yourself in before you know I’m right about this? I want to be able to trust you, but it isn’t only you we’re talking about now. And I can’t trust him. Not yet. Maybe not ever, after what he’s done.”
It hurts to hear it, but I can’t pretend like I don’t relate. “He needs help,” I remind Dad.
“And he’s getting it. But he isn’t cured yet. There’s no telling how long it will be before that happens.” He presses his lips together in a firm line while his jaw ticks. I know what he’s thinking. He just doesn’t want to say it out loud. If it ever happens. There’s no guarantee the treatment is going to work, or that he won’t struggle with this for the rest of his life. There’s no magic pill or potion that will heal him, just like there’s no magic spell that will erase the past and instantly rebuild the broken trust.
There’s one thing I know for sure, way down deep in my heart. “I can help him. I know how that sounds, but I believe it.”