Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
I mentally calculate; it’s been fifty-six hours since I woke up to an empty bed and Talon gone.
Fifty-six hours since a fear struck me so deep and splintered my heart into a million pieces.
I didn’t get to tell him goodbye, kiss him, soak in his warmth, wish him luck… tell him I love him more than anything.
A single tear falls and Wolf waddles into my space, bumping my shoulder.
The next second, I’m engulfed in April’s arm.
Her gentle embrace opens the dam and a sob escapes. I cradle into her hold and cry until I’m gasping for air. She rocks me, rubbing my back with the tenderness that reminds me so much of Talon, my soul aches.
Her chest trembles and realization hits me hard.
Her son is gone—again. Doing God knows what, God knows where, and she woke up to the same shock and disbelief a few days ago.
She’s hurting, too, and I’ve been in my own world, selfishly avoiding everyone.
Mortification crashes through me as I slip my arms around her waist and squeeze. Her tears drip on my neck, and I suck in a deep breath, willing myself to pull it together.
When I trust my voice, I say, “He’s your son and I’ve disregarded the way this affects you and Mark. You’re hurting as well.”
She loosens her hold, moving her hand to tip my face. A lump lodges in my throat at her watery gaze.
“A mother’s worry never ends.”
“How do you get through it?”
“When Talon first enlisted, I was sick for a month. His first deployment, I was a wreck. It never got easier, just more tolerable, I guess you could say. When he told me he was getting out and becoming a police officer, I wasn’t happy. I also wasn’t surprised. We joked he was trying to give me heart failure. But through it all, I have hung on to one thing. My faith in my son.”
“I have faith, it’s just buried under my heartache.”
“Then we need to remedy that. Let’s dig it out, starting now. He would be pissed knowing you’re wallowing away in his room and not leaning on the people who care about you.”
“I’m not wallowing,” I try to defend.
Her eyebrows arch and lips cinch to one side.
“Okay, maybe I’m feeling sorry for myself. But I’m also out of place. Everyone is angry at him for leaving. Then they watch me with restraint. Ace and Major frighten me, and the girls are trying to be supportive, but they seem torn. My family is walking on eggshells.”
“There’s a big difference between being concerned and being scared. The girls are concerned. The guys are scared. Even big, bad Marines get scared.”
“They don’t seem scared. They act infuriated.”
“They are both. Their best friend took off, leaving their brotherhood and team behind.”
“He had his reasons.”
“We know that, but they need some coaxing to see the big picture.”
There’s a loud crash from somewhere in the house that sounds like glass shattering, causing us both to jerk.
“What was that?”
“Now would be an ideal time to dig out that faith. You’re going to need it.” She gives me one last squeeze and stands. “I’m taking Wolf. He needs to get outside for some exercise. Why don’t you collect yourself and meet me in the kitchen in a few minutes?”
I nod, rubbing Wolf’s head before he leaps off the bed and follows April out.
By ‘collect yourself’, I’m assuming she means clean myself up.
One glimpse in the bathroom mirror leaves me reeling in terror. This is much worse than when I woke up in the hospital.
My face isn’t only pale, it’s streaked like something right out of a horror movie. My normally bright green eyes are dull and bloodshot, reminding me of a monster on one of Wyatt’s favorite shows.
And my hair… good God, what happened to my hair?
April asked me to meet her in a few minutes, but this emergency requires more.
I jump in the shower, letting the cold water stream over my face until it feels much better. I wash my hair and body in record time, grabbing a pair of shorts and one of Talon’s t-shirts that I tie around my waist.
A small grin spreads seeing my reflection. Talon would have a shit fit with the sliver of exposed skin, showing off my navel ring. A hint of sadness creeps in, but I force it away, combing out my hair and applying a coat of mascara.
Not exactly winning any beauty contests, but not nearly as horrendous as earlier.
The closer I get to the main rooms, the louder the voices. Another glass shatters, small shards landing in the hallway. It’s then I hear the unmistakable roar of Ford.
“He fucking left us behind! You let that shit happen!”
My heart stops at the scene playing out in the kitchen.
Ford, Major, and Ace are facing off against Robbie and Finn.