Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Fucking hell, I wish she’d text me back. Some way, somehow, I’m going to make her understand she’s not an inconvenience—that I want to hear from her.
Sure, she could just be busy at work, but it grates on me that I haven’t heard from her all day.
“Maybe.” She reaches over and takes her son’s hand in hers, pressing kisses to his small fingers.
I throw my truck into reverse and head for the Guardians building. For safety reasons, we never take our clients in dangerous situations directly back to their houses. Instead we do a debrief and a handoff at the office, where another member takes them home.
The rest of my day is much of the same, with a few background checks thrown in between drop offs. All in all, it’s been easy but rewarding. And it’s only the beginning. I know I can make a real difference here, and I’m fucking excited about it.
“Can you do one last thing for me before you head out?” Silas asks.
“Name it, man.”
“This one’s personal. I need you to swing by my—” He abruptly trails off, shaking his head and swallowing roughly before continuing. “I need you to grab my kids and bring them here.”
“You have kids?”
Silas nods. “Twins. They’re... a handful. Consider yourself warned.”
“I can handle them,” I say confidently, causing Silas to smirk.
“Famous last words, dude. They’re... feral.”
“Just text me the address,” I say as my phone buzzes. “That was fast.”
He stares at me like I’m an idiot before holding up his empty hands. “Wasn’t me.”
I slide my phone from my pocket and pull down the notification bar. It’s Scarlet.
Scarlet: Call me. Please.
“Everything good?” Silas asks.
Holding up my index finger, I shake my head as I dial her number. “Ellis.” Her voice trickles through the phone, in a breathless, shaky whisper that’s wholly unlike her.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?” I ask, instantly on high alert.
Silas mouths for me to put it on speaker.
“It’s…” She heaves out an exhausted sigh. “My car.”
“What about it?” Various scenarios run through my mind—dead battery, flat tire, out of gas.
“He slashed my tires and busted up my windshield.” She sniffles but tries to hide it. “He left another note, too.”
“I’m on my way,” I say without thinking. I hate leaving Silas in a lurch, especially on my first day, but Scarlet needs me.
“No, it’s—I’m fine.”
“How are you going to get home?” I ask, uneasy at the thought of being anywhere other than by her side.
“One of my co-workers said they’d bring me home. It’s on their way.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, trying to stuff down the overbearing caveman trying to claw his way out of me. “I can be there in five.”
“I’m sure.” After a pause she adds, “I wouldn’t say no to you bringing home dinner though.”
“Tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen.”
She thinks for a minute. “Chicken salad and soup? And maybe some brownies.”
“Consider it done. I’ll be home in about an hour.”
“Okay,” she says. “Thank you.”
“Any time.” I take the call off speaker and put the phone to my ear. “And Scarlet...”
“Yeah?” Her voice still has a subdued quality to it. I hate it. I used to think I wanted her quiet, but turns out, I much prefer her bold, bratty, loud, and vivacious.
“I’ll get your car towed.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she starts to argue.
“I know. I’m offering.” I wait, giving her time to needle me about it, but she doesn’t say a word. “Be safe. See you soon.”
I end the call and pocket my phone before turning to Silas. “Send me the address?”
“Nah, man.” He waves me off. “I texted someone else. Go home to your girl.”
“She’s not—”
He slices his hand across his neck, cutting me off with a sharp whistle. “Spare me your shit and clock out, Wilder.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Don’t mention it.” He picks up my bag of goodies and hands them to me. “Keep me posted.”
TWENTY-SIX
SCARLET
“Are you sure you don't mind driving me home?” I ask Clint for the hundredth time.
In hindsight, I regret agreeing to the ride. I’m exhausted and just want to go home and—holy shit, when did I start thinking of Ellis’s as home? I’ve only been there one weekend.
“Wouldn't have offered if I minded.” He inclines his head toward the west parking lot. “I'm over here.”
“Well, thanks, again.” I scan the lot, feeling apprehensive being out here in the open. “I really appreciate it.”
“I can't even imagine how you're feeling.” He stops in front of a cherry-red Impala. It's older but clearly cared for.
“It's... honestly, I'm just tired.” I shrug, and it feels like the weight of the world settles on my shoulders. I skim my fingers over the hood. “Wow, this is nice.”
Clint beams like I just told him he won a million bucks. “Thanks. She's my pride and joy.”
I roll my eyes but smile. “Spoken like a dude.”