Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
It’s like two lions are fighting in the middle of my mother’s living room. They tumble onto the coffee table and smash it, glass shattering all around them. My mother comes running into the room, yelling and looking frantic.
That’s when I notice Ciara standing there with her arms wrapped around her middle as tears stream down her face. Grunting and growling fill the air as Logan and Cole continue to rumble. However, I can’t tear my eyes away from Ciara as she looks back at me with so much pain in her eyes; I feel sick.
“Stop this. Ye stop this right now,” Mom shouts.
That seems to break the stare off between us. Ciara turns and runs from the house. How much did she just hear? I’m hot on her heels. I have to catch her and explain.
CHAPTER 38
Breathe
Ciara
“Ciara, Ciara. Baby, wait.” I can still hear Dylan calling after me as I ran from his family’s home.
However, I moved too fast for him to catch me. I was able to get to his truck and grab the key I know he keeps in the hidden lockbox behind the back plate.
I took off without having a clue where I planned to go. Ciarán is with Taegan today. He won a bet between them, and she owed him lunch and a new game.
She was supposed to drop him off at the house after. I’ll have to text her to bring him to me when I figure out what I plan on doing. I heard everything.
I had been right outside the room when Logan arrived. I don’t even think he saw me when he walked past. Seeing the look on his face, I took a pause and was ready to turn around and head back to the kitchen with Kate and Kara.
However, curiosity got the best of me. I stood there listening to my history unfold. To be honest, I don’t know how to feel about any of it. I’m devastated and confused.
Shauna’s mother was my cousin? Logan knew everything. He knew where I was and who had me.
I feel sick to my stomach. My parents … heck, my entire family has been picked off. And for what?
Some inheritance I knew nothing about. Speaking of inheritances. I’m going to fucking kill Theo. He fucking kidnapped us. Then he spent every dime of my and Ciarán’s money. That’s why he was so desperate right before I left.
My head begins to hurt. I palm my forehead as the memories hit me. It’s the day of the accident, but not from the same point I always dream of and remember.
It’s earlier. Before Mom rushed us into the car. It all begins to make sense.
“Laki, what do you mean? The police said there was no foul play. He OD’d in that hotel with that woman,” Mom nearly sobbed into the phone.
It was on speaker so I could hear the next words of the man she was speaking to. “Iesha, Don loved you and those kids more than he loved life itself. He would never cheat on you, and you know he wouldn’t touch that shit.
“Damn it. This wouldn’t have happened if I were there.”
“This isn’t your fault. You had to go home to take care of your family. Don understood that,” Mom sobbed.
“Yeah, but you don’t find it strange that something came up with all the guys at once, leaving Don all by himself? Those cops are setting him up. It’s all bullshit.
“Listen, baby girl, you’re not safe there. I need you to get out of America now. Get to Scotland to your mother and grandmother-in-law.
“You’ll be safe there until I can get to you guys. This is all bigger than Don. I can’t get too much into it right now, but they can help keep you safe once you get there.”
“Laki, I’m scared. I need to protect my babies. Don would want me to protect our kids.
“I’m just so confused and hurt. I’ve been on my own for months, trying to figure things out. I miss him.
“I never thought it was true, but they made me believe it was. Who do I know here to find out the truth?” Mom sobbed into the phone.
“It’s going to be all right. I’m here now. Get to Scotland and I’ll take care of the rest.
“We’ll get justice for Don. I promise. My brother isn’t going to die in vain. Call me as soon as you touch down. You can reach me at this number.”
“Okay, we’ll leave now. I’ll pack the kids up and get out of here. Thanks, Laki.”
“Anytime. I will protect you all with my life.”
I come back to the present as my head throbs. My mother never married that asshole Theo. I was right all along. He didn’t even know her.
I blink and realize I’m standing in Dylan’s apartment. I didn’t even think about coming here. I’m just here.