Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
It wasn’t like every person on Earth didn’t have regrets.
But with the way the man peered over at me, I might as well have revealed my darkest secret.
It felt like he could cut me wide open and see everything written inside.
“What would you change?” An unholy grin tugged at the edge of his mouth.
Pure manipulation.
“You tell me first.” Who said a little deflection ever hurt anything?
That grin grew. “You interested in me, Piper Whittman?”
I almost blinked in question, then remembered that was the last name I’d thrown out when Dr. Reynolds had asked for my name and date of birth.
I hadn’t given my real last name in years.
I managed a huff. “Not at all. Just making conversation so I can get this awful excursion over faster.”
His chuckle was raw, and amusement ridged every line on his face. “Little Liar.”
My mouth dropped open as I whirled toward him. “Did you just call me a liar?”
He shrugged, nothing but arrogance rolling off him. “If it fits.”
“I am not a liar.”
Okay, that’s the only thing that my life was.
Lies.
But he didn’t need to know that.
His laughter softened, and the infuriating man shook his head as if he found me entertaining.
The road curved around, and Moonlit Ridge came into view.
The main street was pretty packed since it was Saturday morning. People were bundled up and were bustling about, ducking into the trendy restaurants and cute boutiques that lined the street.
Holiday lights were strung from the eaves of the storefronts, and the streetlamps that lined the road had lit wreaths hanging from each side.
My stomach tightened.
Christmas was only a few weeks away.
Our situation never felt more blatant than when the holidays came around. The glare of what we were missing.
The traditions I would never be able to make for my son.
Nelly’s words whispered through my mind. “We’re going to have to make a change, sweet child. You know you can’t keep doing this forever. Something has to give.”
But how?
Laying down roots felt impossible. Tendrils that would only dig deep.
Cage us and make us nothing but targets.
I knew firsthand since tragedy had struck when we’d attempted it last time.
Instead of allowing myself to spiral, I gazed out the window at the cozy town.
We passed by a few bars and restaurants, a tattoo shop, and an upscale hotel on the corner.
Theo made another left and drove down three blocks before he took a right onto a street that was a bit more industrial.
The road was flanked by rows of metal buildings that housed different contractors and suppliers.
We were about halfway down it when Theo slowed and made a right through a large open gate into an autobody shop.
It was a big yard surrounded by a chain-link fence.
Littered around the yard were a bunch of cars and trucks and an old bus that sat in varying states of disrepair.
An enormous metal building took up the entire back side, and a huge metal sign hung from it.
Torque & Talon Autobody Shop.
What looked to be offices were on the right side and five large bays were situated on the left.
Each sat wide open.
All of them were full, two cars up on hydraulic lifts and the others on the ground.
My Passat was sitting in the farthest left bay.
Anxiety fired through my nerves when I saw four motorcycles parked off to the side of the main building. Immediately, my thoughts drifted to the three that were sitting in Theo’s garage.
There was something about them that made me sure they weren’t just for joyrides.
Something about Theo that promised his sins went dark and deep.
Hazard.
The calm air held with a peril that I could almost taste.
Somehow, I could feel it radiating from this place, too.
Theo pulled into an open spot near the door that read Lobby.
“Don’t worry, Pipes.” His tone was teasing. “Place might be a little messy, but these guys know what they’re doing. Won’t let you get dragged through the mud.”
Money.
That’s what he thought I was worried about.
I swallowed around the disquiet, and I nodded as I unlatched the door and pushed it open.
Cold gushed in, though it was tempered a fraction by the sunlight that poured down to brush my cheeks.
Still, I shivered since Theo was suddenly at my side, the man lifting his hand to hover it over the small of my back.
He wasn’t even touching me, but it felt as if he were searing me through.
“This way,” he grumbled low as he guided me around the front of his truck toward my car.
A man stepped out from the third bay as we approached. He wore gray coveralls that were unzipped, a white tee showing underneath. His hair was the darkest brown and a wry grin was plastered on his savagely handsome face.
God. Did all men look like this around here?
“Theo,” he said, lifting his chin.
“Silas.” Theo returned the gesture, and he pulled his arm away so they could shake hands. At the same time, he swung his chin toward me. “This is Piper. Piper Whittman, owner of the Volkswagen you hauled in.”