Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Shit.
They were really doing this. They were taking Hope home.
As they stepped into the penthouse, Indie felt a sense of relief come over her. They were finally home.
There were fresh flowers in a vase on a table in the foyer and she stared at them.
“Shit,” Spencer said. “Who are these from?” He walked over and checked the card. “Margo. I didn’t think to tell her not to bring flowers over. She dropped off some other things for Hope. I’ll get rid of them.”
“No, don’t!” she said. “I need to take back the things that Billy took from me. Like accepting and loving gorgeous bunches of flowers from friends.”
“Sure, Princess?” Spencer asked.
“Yes, please. They’re gorgeous. Leave them.”
“Proud of you,” Slade told her, making her feel warm inside.
“Liliana said she left some food in the fridge for dinner,” Spencer said.
“That was so nice of them all.” She was so grateful to have friends now. She had Maggie, of course. Her best friend was planning to visit soon.
Spencer wrapped an arm around her and led her into the living room. Quaid held the baby seat with Hope still in it and the others were holding all of their things. They’d accumulated quite a lot in the hospital. Of course, they wouldn’t let her carry a thing.
As they entered the living room, she stilled as she saw two men in the living room. One was tied to a chair with a gag in his mouth and looked worse for wear with a shaggy beard and greasy hair. Not to mention a black eye.
The other guy was handsome if a bit . . . terrifying looking? Scary? Crazy? He was smiling but it looked almost manic. She had a vague sense of recollection.
She couldn’t stop her cry of fear. She hurried over to Hope, taking her out of the car seat to cradle her against her chest.
“Damn it, Shepherd,” Slade said with exasperation as they all dropped their bags.
Spencer stuck close to her side, although he didn’t seem too worried. Just annoyed.
Wait. Shepherd? Their friend who was trying to track Alaistair? Who had helped find Billy?
“What? I’ve got a welcome home gift for you all. I thought you’d be pleased.”
“Don’t pull that with us,” Quaid snarled. “You know this isn’t normal behavior. You just like to test us. Why the hell would you bring him here? Where Hope and Indie are?”
“And how did you get in?” Slade demanded.
I say we kill them both.
She gaped at Rock. “Rock! We can’t.”
Shepherd narrowed his gaze at Rock and signed back at him.
I bring you this dickhead and this is how you repay me?
Spencer sighed. “Let’s get past the fact that Shepherd is a dick. We all know that.”
“I’m right here,” Shepherd said. “And I’m insulted. I found him. Two weeks of searching and here he is like you wanted.”
“Take off the gag,” Slade ordered. “I want to hear what he has to say for himself. But this conversation isn’t over. You don’t bring guys like this into our home where our girl and baby are.”
Shepherd actually looked serious as he nodded. “Got it.” Then he drew off the gag.
Alaistair looked straight at her and she tensed.
“It’s her!” Alaistair accused. “She made me do it! She's been playing you all along. She’s betrayed you all!”
76
Quaid stared at Alaistair in disgust.
“It’s true, Slade! She’s betrayed you again. It’s all been lies. She did take that information from your safe for Billy. Did you ever see him on the cameras? And she has been playing a long con on you guys. She wanted to get access to your money, then she was going to drain you dry!”
“Really?” Quaid drawled. “Keep going.”
“She told me that she wanted to be with me. We had a connection years ago. Pretending not to know me was a lie as well. And the pen drive that Billy’s lawyer had? Well, that held information that would prove she’s a liar. So as soon as she knew the lawyer was bringing it to you, she arranged to have those guys come ‘steal it’.” Alaistair stared at them desperately. “She knew you’d check what was on it and Billy had lots of evidence against her. I helped those guys gain access to the club because she said she loved me. But now I know that she’s a liar and a bitch!”
Quaid stepped forward and punched Alaistair in the nose, satisfied as he heard it crunch.
Alaistair squealed like a pig as blood gushed out of his nose. “What was that for?”
“The lies. Our girl would never betray us. Did you really think that lying about her would save you? What was the point of all this? Why do this, Alaistair? And why try to drag her down with you?”
Quaid was aware of a gaze on him. He turned to find Indie gaping at him in shock. “What is it, baby girl?”