Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
“Wow, now I know why you all like it here.”
He peeked over at me as he made a right and started to follow alongside the lake. “Could you see yourself here? In this small town? Living with me forever?”
“I thought that was the plan?” It was wispy.
His smile was slow. “The plan is I follow you wherever you go.”
“You’d leave here?”
“If it was required.”
Adoration fisted my heart. “I would never take you from your family.”
He reached out and squeezed my thigh. “And that’s what makes you extraordinary, doesn’t it? Fact that you care about me, too.”
I took his hand and curled it between mine. “We both take care of each other. Give to each other. Besides, it’s not all that hard to imagine making your family mine.”
“Pretty sure they already consider you that.”
A soft flush touched my cheeks.
I felt so much joy at having them. And I hoped that one day this would all include my sister. I needed to make sure she remained sober, though, before I fully invited her into our lives. Into my children’s life. Into Cash’s life.
I still could hardly believe mine and his lives were now intertwined.
I turned back to take in the view.
In the distance, I could see a blue neon sign that glowed The Sanctuary.
A ball of admiration and fear gathered in the middle of my spirit. I chanced a peek at Cash. “I’m still trying to comprehend what you all really do. I’ve wondered a thousand times about that back room at the cabin that you keep locked.”
He glanced at me before he returned his attention to the road. “It’s a ton of computers and surveillance equipment. That’s my role in all of this.”
I could feel the frown pull to my face.
“I’m Sovereign Sanctum’s hacker. The one who creates new identities and makes others disappear when it’s necessary. That and a ton of stealing.”
His casual response ripped the air from my lungs. “Stealing?”
He almost grinned. “It’s my pleasure to bleed those bastards dry, and we make sure that money goes where it’s needed most.”
“You can create new identities? Like in the witness protection program?”
“Similar, but more detailed. I create whole histories for them. Old medical records and doctor’s visits. Schools and jobs. Birth places and families. Make sure that every detail appears legitimate.”
Awed disbelief rolled out. “And how did you learn to do that, Mr. Star Quarterback?”
His laughter was rough.
A sprig of joy sprouting from his consciousness.
It was wild to feel the difference in him. The reservations—the walls he kept so high—surrendered to us.
“Found I was a bit of a whiz at the computer when I got to LA. Cracking codes and getting us into places we weren’t supposed to go. When you live the life of a criminal, whole new opportunities open up that you didn’t know existed. I learned quickly how to hack into most anything, and once we changed course and started living this new life, I took it and applied it. A little of my bad nature given to the good.”
“I had no idea that was even possible. I wish I would have…”
He palmed the top of my thigh. “If I’d known, Daisy. If I’d known what was going on with you, I would have gotten you out long ago. I’m sorry I was too much of a coward to look after you, thinking I was doing you some sort of service by staying out of your life.”
“It’s not your fault, Cash.”
“Sure it is, but I’m going to rectify it.”
Nerves buzzed through me, and I looked away for a beat before I peered over at him. “What’s the next step?”
“Easy. I find Ethan and put him in the ground.” He said it like it was just that simple.
“It’s beyond my—” I clipped off, not sure how to handle what he was suggesting.
His life was so different than mine, but our needs were the same. How did I come to terms with it?
“I don’t want you to imagine it, Daisy. Don’t want to take you to that place, but I won’t lie to you, either. Won’t hide who I am.”
“You gave me every warning, and I’m still sitting right here.”
“That’s because it’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.” It was close to a growl. Forest eyes a blaze of intensity as they flashed to me, then he turned on his blinker and made a left at the motel’s long drive.
We wound through the dense concentration of trees, passing by a few cabins that were tucked within them. A long, one-story building was in the distance, sitting close to the shoreline of the lake.
The big blue sign sat above it.
The Sanctuary.
“We have a few special cabins that are reserved for those we’re helping on the far backside of the property.” He pointed in the general vicinity. “It’s where Piper first stayed this last winter when she was running from her ex.”