Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“We leave at eight,” I told them, not giving a shit about the other.
“Do we even have an address?” Gathe asked as I stood up.
I cut my eyes at him.
He held up his hands. “Fine. You got an address. I was just asking.”
“I’ve got every address of every person directly and indirectly connected with him.”
Than chuckled.
“What’s his shoe size?” Gathe asked, smirking.
“Ten and a half,” I replied. “And he has narrow feet.”
Than was still laughing as I made my way to the front door of the Bowens’ house. Once I’d had a first and last name, I’d been able to do a complete background check on the bastard. Unlike Cressida, his hadn’t been locked away or wiped clean.
Eighteen
Cressida
Bane had not spoken a word to me since I’d walked out of Glenda’s house, other than holding out his hand and saying, “Phone.”
I’d placed the cell phone, given to me by his mother, in it, knowing that was my only connection to Kash.
He’d not texted me today. I’d not gotten to say goodbye. Did he even know I was leaving? I had so many questions and no one to ask.
After last night, it felt like everything had changed. I’d fallen asleep with the first stirring of hope for … us.
But the Southern Mafia wanted me out of Kash’s life, and that left me no other choice. I had to go.
We’d driven to a private airstrip, boarded a plane, and he slept during the hour flight. I couldn’t close my eyes. We hit turbulence more than once, and the landing was rough, but he only opened his eyes once the wheels touched the ground. I’d expected him to say something, but he didn’t.
I wanted to ask where we were, but I was also terrified of the man. It wasn’t until the black Escalade, which picked us up when we got off the plane, passed under a sign on the interstate that said something about Orlando that I knew he’d brought me to Florida.
I looked around, hoping he wasn’t leaving me in Orlando because that was going to be too expensive. I was pretty sure all of Florida was going to be too expensive. Why hadn’t he chosen a cheaper state? I didn’t have enough money for this, and if he left me here, I had no car. I’d have to buy a bus ticket.
Clearing my throat so my voice wouldn’t crack when I spoke, I straightened my shoulders and tried not to look nervous. “Are you leaving me here, in Florida?” I asked him.
He cut his eyes at me and nodded, then went back to watching out the window. I thought that was going to be the only response I got, but he finally spoke.
“Ocala, to be exact,” he said.
“Do I have to stay here? Like I told you, I don’t have much money, and this state isn’t an affordable one.”
“I told you that I was giving you what you wanted. A new life. A place to start over. I don’t do things half-assed, and I’d like to be sure you stay away from Mississippi and Kash,” he said, then briefly glanced at me again. “Your apartment is fully furnished. Rent and utilities have been paid for six months. There is a car in the parking lot, and the key fob will be on your kitchen counter. Information on your job, where to be and when, is also on your kitchen counter.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it twice. Then I just gaped at him.
He turned his cold gaze to me again. “You have all you need to start a new life. Do it and stay the fuck away from Mississippi.”
I hesitated before I blurted, “You’re serious?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Why would I lie about this?”
I shook my head still reeling. “I … I … but why? I mean, I don’t understand.”
“You don’t?” he asked with an air of sarcasm. “Let me clear it up for you. It’s time Kash comes home to stay. He belongs in Madison. But he can’t stay there if you are there. It’s a dangerous distraction. You make him act irrationally. I’d have thought you’d understand that. Do you want him killing every man you decide to fuck?”
I paled.
“What? The reminder that he caught you in bed with your brother hard for you to hear?” The snarl in his tone made my stomach twist.
“I … I didn’t do anything with him, Pirate. I didn’t know he was in my bed that night. I woke up to find him there, and Kash …” I stopped and took a calming breath.
I’d already told Kash what had happened that night. I didn’t have to tell Bane.
“Is that so? That’s your story now?” The mocking way he said it sent a wave of anger through me.
He hadn’t been there. He had no idea what I’d been through with Pirate.