Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
She turned and walked out.
Her mother moved toward the hallway where her father could still be heard. She looked back at Olivia. “Do what you need to do and I’ll handle your father.”
Her mother knew her so well. Her plans had changed. She watched as her mom disappeared behind the door.
Olivia turned and held her hands out. “All right, Jimmy. I’m ready now.”
He frowned and took a step back. “Uh, I don’t think she’s pressing charges.”
“Are you going to let Keane out right now?” Olivia asked.
“There’s paperwork and stuff,” Jimmy replied, looking at her wrists like they were snakes that could bite him.
“Then you better cuff me and put me in that cell with him,” she announced.
“Or I could not cuff you and we could call it a visit,” Jimmy offered.
“You sure you want this, Livie?” a new voice asked. Kelly Morgan stood there, a brow raised. “After listening to that witness and talking to Mr. Rollins, I’m inclined to look at all the evidence again. He could be out in a few hours. I could let you back there, but I think your father would be upset.”
“This is not my father’s business,” Olivia announced.
“Livie,” her papa began.
“What would you have done if someone tried to come between you and Mom and Dad?”
Her papa’s eyes widened. “Someone did. That mean old lady called your momma’s car a whore and then told her she would ruin us and then shot Jack.”
“Why did she call your mom’s car a whore?” Miranda asked.
Tanya took that one. “She didn’t. She painted the word whore on the vehicle. I think she was referencing Abby, not the car. But it’s okay. Jack cubed it and got her another one.”
She turned to her papa, putting her hands on his cheeks. “Papa, I’m in love, and it’s time to get on board.”
“You don’t know…” Papa began.
“I’ve spent days with them both, uncle. They’re good men. I like them. I’m going to give them Hideout memberships,” Gabe explained.
Her papa nodded. “Okay.” He turned to Deputy Morgan. “Please arrest my daughter.”
When the cuffs went on, she sighed in relief.
* * * *
Garrett stared up at the man he never thought would be his enemy. Hell, he still didn’t think Jack Barnes was his enemy, but it was clear the man didn’t have the same belief. “Mr. Barnes, if you would listen.”
“He’s not going to listen. He’s made up his mind.” One of the deputies had a hand on Keane’s elbow and started to lead him out.
Garrett couldn’t stand the thought of him going into that cell. “They weren’t through questioning him.”
“He’s said all he needed to say.” Jack Barnes stared at Keane, his arms crossed over his big, muscular chest. “There was a witness and the security cameras.”
Keane shook his head as he started to walk off. “Tell her I’m sorry. Tell her I was never good enough for her.”
“The first smart thing you’ve said, son,” Jack shot back.
Keane glanced at the older man, a hollow look in his eyes. “I’m not anyone’s son, sir.”
And then he was gone.
Garrett was pissed at Jack Barnes. He turned to the other man as the door closed between him and his best friend. “I think I’ll quit before you fire me. I don’t want to work for a man who judges someone as quickly as you do.”
Something had changed in Jack’s expression. He didn’t look happy or even vengeful. If anything, Garrett would describe it as thoughtful. It was a moment before he turned from the door to Garrett. He frowned, but it was clear there was something going on in the man’s head. “You don’t have to quit. I’m sorry about what I said earlier. My problem isn’t with you, though I suspect you had something to do with your friend’s lies. I can understand it. I probably would have done anything for Sam.”
“What lies?” Garrett suddenly realized what he was talking about. “We didn’t lie about his record. When we first applied for the jobs, we were open and honest. Lucas…”
“Lucas is up shit creek right now,” Jack announced.
He needed to calm down. This was a man who loved his daughter. This was a man who understood what it meant to be in the system. He should be able to talk to him. They had something in common. They both loved Olivia. “Lucas understood. Sir, are you trying to tell me you’ve never hired a hand with a record? Because I happen to know that’s not true. You’ve often taken young men in and given them the stability they need to put the past behind them.”
“They’re not fucking my daughter.”
“So you’re okay with me fucking her but not my Dom?” He needed to use words Jack understood. His language.
Jack sighed and sat down, one big hand scrubbing over his head. “Well, of course you’re in the lifestyle.”