Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Do you want breakfast?” I ask, trying not to appear intimidating in any way, shape, or form. “I bet your dog needs to go outside, too, huh?”
“Sunshine,” Kaitlyn says, eyes peeking up at me just over the edge of the bed. “She probably needs to poop.”
I scrunch my face at her and she lets out a silly giggle, clearly pleased at grossing me out with the mention of dog shit. This has Sunshine getting excited, yapping at her antics, which in turn makes her laugh more.
“Time to get up?” Romy asks with a yawn.
Leaning forward, I give her a kiss on her head. “Sleep in a little. I’ll make sure these two get breakfast.”
Kids are resilient and block out bad shit. Trust me, I know this from personal experience. I’m hoping this is the case for Kaitlyn. Maybe she’ll even actually remember who I am and that I’m not a bad guy.
You murdered a man in cold blood.
You’re a bad guy.
I feel zero remorse. Watching Portman bleed out, naked and helpless, was satisfying as fuck. He deserved far worse for what he did. Far fucking worse. He got off easy if you ask me.
After me and Kaitlyn each take turns in the bathroom and are dressed, I lead her and Sunshine out of the stupid football room. Voices can be heard in the living area of the clubhouse.
“Bermuda has a big spread going at the big house,” Nees says from the sofa, engrossed with his phone. “They’re all awake over there.”
Kaitlyn sticks to my side, clearly choosing me as her protector over Nees. I relax slightly. Perhaps she trusts me simply for the fact her mother does.
Not her real mom.
Try telling those two that. An outsider would have no clue they weren’t related. They clearly love each other a lot.
As soon as we go outside, Sunshine trots off to sniff around to get the lay of the land. Kaitlyn takes in the colorful scene around us. We’re surrounded by every shade of green on the trees, grass, and brush. The sky this morning is bright blue and cloudless. Maybe everything seems more intense because I’m finally out of my mind fog.
Kaitlyn sees a patch of flowering weeds and runs over to pick them. I don’t stop her. Kid can collect whatever she damn well pleases after the shit she’s gone through. Sunshine becomes interested in what she’s doing and then starts eating the yellow flowers.
I give a sharp whistle, and the dog jerks her head guiltily my way. “Let’s get some real food.”
Kaitlyn clutches her flowers and comes back over to my side. Sunshine dutifully follows, tail swishing happily.
There’s such a serenity in this moment.
Is this how normal people live?
My entire life has been such a mindfuck. Not having to be on guard or constantly searching is freeing.
Kaitlyn is impressed with the many motorcycles in the garage. There’s always someone in there working on them. Since they’re all new-looking, I’m guessing they’re modifying them, detailing them, or just doing random maintenance. Bizzy and Gibson both give me a nod as we pass.
Once inside the big house, we’re met with the heavenly scent of bacon. My stomach rumbles audibly and it makes Kaitlyn giggle. She’s so fucking cute.
“Look, Uncle Caius, they have a pool!”
She runs through the kitchen and over to the back door, in awe of the sparkling water. While she points through the glass, enthralled in what she sees, I’m still reeling over her calling me Uncle Caius.
So she does remember me?
It’ll take some time, but I have hope we’ll get there.
“Can we eat outside by the pool?” she asks, nose pressed to the glass.
“Yeah, kiddo, that’ll be fine. Go ahead and sit out there. I’ll bring some food to you.”
She all too eagerly bursts out the back door and claims a seat at the patio table. Sunshine plops down by her feet, both of them seemingly happy with their morning so far.
“Heard she walked in on you,” Bermuda says, coming to stand beside me. “Looks like she’s over it.”
“Guess Nees told you?” I scrub my palm over my face and nod. “They fucked with her head. We’ll see what all she truly remembers and if she’ll ever forgive me.”
“Let her go swimming and I’d say you’ll be forgiven.” He clasps me on the shoulder and squeezes. “Come get it before Bizzy goes in for seconds.”
It takes a couple of trips, but I manage to get enough food for me, Kaitlyn, the dog, and a plastic container filled with stuff to take back to Romy. By the time we finish eating, Koyn and Filter step outside to join us. They light up to smoke, far enough where we don’t smell it, but close enough that Kaitlyn scrunches her nose.
“Smoking is bad,” she whispers to me. “Are those men bad?”
I wash down the rest of my food with some orange juice. “Nah, kiddo. They’re good people. You don’t have to worry about anything here.”