Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
I pursed my lips. She was right. Unfortunately.
All the women were pouting with me. This was a group of ride or die bitches. Despite being mothers and wives, they were all down to set fires and blow things up.
I fucking loved that. And not for the first time, or even the fifth, I felt myself growing roots here.
“I could pay her a visit,” Caroline offered.
“No.” I shook my head. “You’re right. Anything we do at this point is only going to make her more determined.” I remembered the hungry look in her eyes. “There’s nothing we can do,” I sighed. “Not now, at least. And I’m not going to run away again or have a breakdown.”
“You’re allowed to have a breakdown,” Kate said.
“Or five of them,” Freya chimed in.
“We can still blow something up,” Macy suggested hopefully. “Hansen bought me a minivan. Something needs to happen to that.” She shook her head. “What the fuck kind of biker president buys his wife a fucking minivan?”
“Yes.” I pointed to Macy. “Blowing up a minivan will surely help rid me of some demons.”
None of the women looked convinced. Worse, I got the impression they weren’t going to let this go.
“I’m pregnant again,” Caroline blurted, watching me carefully.
All eyes went to her with a chorus of congratulations.
Thank you, I mouthed at her.
She smiled and mouthed, you’re welcome back amongst the hugs and plans of shopping trips.
The heat was off me. For now.
I was done.
Or I’d snapped.
It didn’t happen in the middle of some big blowup, not when I was drunk or experiencing a nightmare. No, it happened in the middle of the day, while I was making coffee. Only a couple of days after the girl summit.
We had indeed blown up a minivan in the middle of the desert. It was fucking awesome. But unfortunately, it didn’t work to chase away my frustration and fear.
It had been bubbling inside of me for so long, it was bound to come out.
“I need to go on break,” I told Julian.
He frowned at me, concern crumpling his features. Maybe it was something about my voice, my expression. Maybe he could see the crazy in my eyes.
“All right.” He nodded slowly. “But I’ll call Colby.”
I didn’t argue with him. He’d already been through the whole employee with a biker man with protective issues with Violet and Elden. He understood the status quo.
“You do that,” I replied, untying my apron and placing it on the counter before snatching my purse from the cubby and walking out.
At least Julian didn’t try to stop me. He knew me better than that.
I dug for my phone as I exited the café.
“I need the location of the bitch trying to dig up my story,” I said after I dialed and put the phone to my ear.
“Hello to you too, bitch,” Ollie muttered, but I heard tapping in the background.
Ollie had been briefed on the reporter situation and had been planning on ruining her life … virtually, at least. Which would be pretty fucking damaging. It was kind of scary, the power Ollie had with the stroke of a few keys.
“Her credit card records have her renting a house just off Main Street,” Ollie said. “And her cellphone is pinging there right now.”
Not for the first time, I wondered where Ollie would end up in a couple of years. Either working for the government or running from them. She was seriously talented and seriously dangerous if she wanted to be.
It was a worry, of course. But not one I had room for in my head. Plus, Ollie was smart, tough and strong. She’d be fine.
“Text me the address.”
“You’re not gonna like, kill her or anything, are you?” she asked without even a hint of concern. “Because I know the Sons of Templar are well versed in disposing and hiding bodies … but those are of serial killers and their enemies. Not Ivy League educated white girls with rich daddies and a boyfriend who really sucks at dirty talk. Plus, she’s got a direct line to you. I can do what I can to erase what she has online, but if she’s smart, she has hard copies too. This murder would be … difficult to get away with.”
I took the phone from my ear as it buzzed with a text. Reading the location and recognizing the street, I turned left. About a three-minute walk. Colby would likely already be on his way. But he had no idea where I was going. For now. Unfortunately, he’d be quick at putting two and two together, and he had his own resident hacker.
But I still had time.
“I’m not planning on killing her,” I told Ollie once I’d put my phone back to my ear.
“Really? Because you’ve got a real Children of the Corn voice going on. And, honey, if anyone deserves to have a break from reality, it’s totally you. But I’m just focusing on making sure that break happens in a fashion that won’t have you locked up for the rest of your life.”