Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
I ran my hand against the old wood paneling beside his desk before I turned and said, “I can’t wait to work here with you.”
The smallest bit of hope sparked to life in his eyes. “You…you’d want to?”
“I’d love to,” I said. “Now, who’s going to help me move back into your apartment?”
He winced. “I let another tenant move into it last week. When I started staying in the house next to yours, I saw no reason to have both. Plus…I never liked it. The whole damn building was exhausting. Reminded me of my dad, and what he held over our heads.” He reached for his zipper and zipped himself, but the impressive bulge was still highly visible. “How do you feel about a boathouse?”
“I think it’d be great for now,” I admitted. “But eventually, it’d be too scary to have a crawling baby who’ll eventually walk on one.”
His face sobered and took on a green tinge, as if he was physically sickened at the thought of anything happening to Holt, imaginary or not. “That’s slightly terrifying. Maybe we’ll move to plan B and get to building a house.”
That had my belly tightening as butterflies took flight.
My lips kicked up at the corner before I said, “I think I’d like that. Though, don’t you think it’s a bit early to go building a house together?”
His head tilted, and his eyes were intense as he said, “The chance for you to run is gone, Baker. You’re stuck with me now.”
The way he said it made it sound so final.
I probably should be offended, but all I could think about in that moment was that I liked the sound of the permanency in his voice.
I also liked that he would never consider letting me go.
But the joke may be on him. He might never let me go, but I’d have never run in the first place.
Twenty
Sometimes I have to remind myself it’s not worth the jail time.
—Copper to Cutter
COPPER
I thought the day would be harder than it was.
I announced the closing of Castanon to the world, and the only reaction was at most underwhelming.
Though, it was underwhelming because at the same time that I announced the closing of Castanon, I also shared the corruptness that was embedded in Castanon that had led to the folding of the company.
“…Marcellus Lynch, head of finance, has been indicted on fifteen counts of embezzlement, including…” Baker kept reading about the board members and the charges that were brought against them, but Holt pulled himself up on my computer chair in the back office of the bar and stared at me with his mama’s eyes.
“Hey, bud,” I said as I pulled him close to my chest.
He immediately laid his head down on my pec and closed his eyes.
There was nothing in this world that was better than this.
“…Cane Beaufort, the lone board member that didn’t face any charges, has come out to say he’s been waiting for years for the corruption to be discovered. The ones responsible for uncovering the deception are Copper Clayborne and Keely Clayborne. Copper was released from prison…”
I stopped listening again, dropping a kiss to Holt’s head.
His sweet, baby scent filled my nostrils, and I closed my eyes as I allowed my exhaustion to take hold.
I needed a nap.
With my feet kicked up, and my computer chair leaned back to the max, that was a distinct possibility.
“…Hi, Cane. Yeah. Copper’s taking a much needed nap.”
I heard the two people talking, but didn’t bother opening my eyes.
Cane had agreed to come on with me at the new company, and it wasn’t a surprise that he was there.
The door shut behind them, the two likely retreating into the bar, and I allowed the nap to take hold.
When I woke next, it was to Baker on her phone, fingers flying over the computer.
“You have to go now, Fermin. This is the biggest job we’ve ever gotten, and they said that we will be their sole transporters. It’s an easy haul, too. Straight I-20. Fort Worth to the Mississippi line. Yeah, thanks.” She paused. “I guess. When?” Another pause. “I’ll talk to Copper. See if that’ll work.”
I blinked my eyes to clear the sleep, then felt the heavy weight on my chest switch from one side of his face pressed to my chest to the other.
Baker sighed, long and loud.
“What’s up?” I rasped.
She jerked her head up, and her face lost the lines of stress.
“I need to talk to my mom,” she muttered. “I’ve been putting it off for weeks. I know it’s taking a toll on everyone, but I just…I’m mad. So mad. I hate that she even put me into that position.”
I nodded. “She shouldn’t have.”
“But if she wouldn’t have put me into that position,” she pushed all the hair off her face, slicking it back behind her. “I wouldn’t have met you.”