Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 114557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Wiley squeaked as if someone had stepped on a mouse. “A billiards room too? It’s going to be like living in Wayne Manor.” Wiley flopped back onto the couch as if he’d fallen into a swoon, and sighed happily. “Please tell me you have a trusted butler who keeps the manor tidy and monitors the Bat-computer.” Ruby nosed her way closer to Wiley laid her head on his lap. The young man immediately sat up and scratched her ears. “And you’re just like Ace, Batman’s dog!”
Like him. Let’s keep him.
Ruby’s enthusiasm matched Wiley’s, and Baer had to shove away his dog’s thoughts. There was no keeping Wiley. The longer he stayed at the plantation, the safer he would be. But at least he wasn’t upset about having his life derailed for a while.
“Baer, why don’t you show Wiley around the house, so he can be comfortable here?” Clay suggested.
“If I’m going to be here for a while, is it okay if I run to my apartment? I need to get some clothes, my stuff for work, and my cat. Plus, I have to move my car.” Wiley turned his attention to Ruby, scratching the side of her face. “Do you like cats? Are you going to play nice with my Queenie? She’s such a sweet and fluffy princess. You’re going to love her.”
“Ruby will be fine with the cat. She likes all animals,” Baer said. The cat wasn’t his concern. “You mentioned you draw comics. Do you need to go into an office for that?” They couldn’t let him leave the plantation alone. Not even for work.
“No, all my work is done digitally, so I work remote,” he explained with a breezy smile. “Just need my computer and some other basic supplies, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“No, that’s no trouble at all,” Grey said before Baer could answer. “Baer can take you to get your car and follow you to your apartment as protection.”
“Assuming the cops have left the bakery by then,” Clay added.
Wiley shivered and wrapped his arms around his middle. The happiness and enthusiasm bled out of his features, causing him to sink down into himself. He turned those big brown eyes on Baer. They looked bleak and full of worry. “Is that a normal day for all of you? That kind of violence and danger?”
“No, it’s not,” Baer said quickly. He placed a hand on Wiley’s slumped shoulder and squeezed, trying to bring the lightness to his features. “We don’t run into the pestilents every day, and they can’t touch us here on the plantation grounds. You’ll always be safe here.”
“We won’t let anything happen to you, Wiley. We promise,” Clay added, and some of the tension that had balled up in Baer’s chest eased under Clay’s words. His friend hadn’t wanted to be a part of the Weavers Circle, hadn’t wanted the responsibility, but over the past couple of months, he’d taken on the heavy mantle of leader with unwavering determination. If Clay said Wiley would be safe at the plantation, Baer believed him.
“Clay, you coming with me?” Baer asked.
“Umm…” Clay started, his eyes darting over to Grey.
“He’s staying here with me,” Grey interrupted. “We need to work on my powers some more. Maybe work on some memory techniques. I don’t think the pestilents will give you any trouble at Wiley’s if you’re fast.”
“We’ll be ready if you need us to back you up,” Clay added.
Baer stared at his two brothers. They were acting strange. Clay and Grey never agreed on anything…ever. But for some strange reason, they were in complete accord now. It was like they were plotting something—
“Let’s run to my place now, if that’s okay,” Wiley announced as he jumped to his feet. “It shouldn’t take too long to pack all my stuff up, and I want to check on Queenie. I wasn’t expecting to leave her alone for so long this morning. She gets lonely very easily.”
Baer shoved a hand through his hair, pushing it from his face before he rose to his feet. He sent one last questioning look at Clay and Grey, but neither Weaver said anything. He’d figure those two out later. His main priority was helping Wiley get his things and settling him in his new room. It was his fault Wiley’s life was turned upside down. He could at least make sure the guy had everything he needed while he was a prisoner at the plantation.
What could go wrong?
Chapter 4
The cops had already come and gone at the bakery, leaving behind long stretches of yellow police tape across the front of the closed shop. Wiley still hurried to get into his car and start it. He was worried they’d have to answer questions if anyone lingered inside.
He eyed the battered front of the building with its broken windows and splash of bright red blood. A shudder moved through him as an echo of the first shot from the pestilent’s gun reverberated through his brain. He’d never been in a scarier situation in his entire life. He pulled out of the parking lot, vowing to never come back.