Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
“But that SCC doctor guy was here,” Leona mutters.
“And then…” Audrey continues, “Sherry agreed to it when Stacy’s brother played up how great Silver Hills was, where she’d get to be queen.”
Stacy scoffs. “Queen of what? Junk?”
Audrey goes on, “And it didn’t help that the SCC doctor was right here pushing for it because nobody’s supposed to interfere in an alpha’s claiming. If he wasn’t here, I bet Stacy’s brother would’ve died that night and saved everyone some trouble. Sorry Stacy.”
“No apologies necessary,” Stacy waves her hand. “Things happened how they were supposed to happen. As hard as all that was.”
“You doin’ okay, though?” I ask her. “You and Grey? Because you lost your brother and he lost his bio mom and as awful as they both were, it still has to be… emotional?”
“I am more than okay,” Stacy says. “The biggest part of that being because of Grey. And the second… knowing my old pack is in good hands under Brody’s leadership.”
“Brody’s awesome,” Leona agrees.
“And dreamy…” Aud muses.
“And soon-to-be taken,” Stacy adds, showing she’s protective of Addy.
“I know, I know, “Audrey says. “Wonder what me and Leona will be left with is all. A lot of the good ones are taken now.”
“Your cousin isn’t…” Leona wiggles her eyebrows.
Aud rolls her eyes. “Lee isn’t Bailey-level crushing on her best friend’s brother but not far off.”
“Not true,” Leona says with a pout and then changes the subject. “Have you guys seen the state of Sherry? She’s a wreck. Now, I’m not her biggest fan…”
“None of us are,” Roxy mutters.
Leona goes on, “But she should not have had to go through that.”
“She helped me,” Stacy defends. “Sherry did her best under the circumstances. She helped as best as she could when he kidnapped me. I should go see her.”
“You seem like a genuine, sweet person, so word of warning: Sherry Creed is toxic,” Roxy states. “And most folks are saying she got what she deserved. No offense.”
Stacy gives her a tight smile. “She’s family now. Even though her and Wy were only together a few days, we’re trauma bonded.”
“Just watch your back,” Roxy advises, then turns to me. “Wouldn’t be shocked if she’s still got a whole lot of bitch under all that trauma. Anyway, gotta get back to prep for the lunch rush, but hang in there, Bail. Give him hell.”
She opens her arms and I step up for a hug. “Thanks, Rox.”
She whispers, “Big hell. He deserves it. And you deserve that happy ending. I hope you get it and he soon realizes what a gem you are.”
When I break free of the hug, Jase is walking in, Grey behind him.
“Hey,” I greet my brother.
“Hey. Joel’s comin’ over. Wanna dig in and see what we can find out about Jared’s pack. You still down to help?”
“Absolutely,” I say.
“She needs to eat first.” Jase is unpacking the box Roxy sent, but he looks at Grey’s mate. “Those cookies for us, Stacy?”
“Um… actually they’re for Bailey. She can decide if you deserve any of them.” She flashes a smile.
My new sister-in-law is fantastic.
Jase chuckles good-naturedly.
“Do the right thing and I’ll bake you two dozen, Jase,” Stacy adds.
“And what’s the right thing?” Jase asks.
“Respect her,” Stacy says simply.
I roll my eyes.
Jase frowns while continuing to set up the food. He doesn’t respond. Probably because he doesn’t get it and doesn’t want to admit that.
My face heats up.
Jase opens a box of bacon, sausage, eggs, hashbrowns, and toast before setting it down. He opens the second box. Banana and chocolate chip pancakes with bacon.
“Asked Rox to make your favorite,” he says, sliding the box closer to me.
Of course it was Roxy who knew, not Jason.
“Roxy gets the credit,” I say because the smell makes my stomach growl. “Since breakfast is from Roxy, not from you, I’ll eat it.”
Jase looks at me with a wounded expression. I look away, grabbing the box of food and a set of cutlery before rounding my desk.
The girls hang around most of the day, taking care of people who come in to check out books or… in many cases… be a looky-loo seeing me here working with Jase sulking on the nearby couch. I get the ball rolling on stuff as well as dig up as much information as possible about Jared’s pack.
By the time Audrey and Leona leave, I’ve slipped them a piece of paper with the URL to my newly posted petition.
19
JASE
Grey, Joel, and Linc left a while ago and finally, the girls hovering most of the day are gone, too.
Bailey spent too much time in Linc’s and Joel’s orbits. And that wasn’t easy. At first, they were crowding her at her desk until I insisted they move their asses. They teased me for it, but wisely moved a desk with a computer to right beside the door and sat there while I parked my ass between them and my mate.