Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
It hasn't been revealed that Christopher Preston is a true psychopath because that doesn't bode well for anyone. The company line is that Sadie died of an overdose, the roommate committed suicide, and Faye was Chris's only victim. Poor Petal has never been found, and when asked about it Chris just stares blankly for a second before the maniacal laughter sets in.
According to his attorneys, they believe they have a good shot at an insanity plea which means the man will probably be wreaking havoc at a mental institution for the rest of his life, and honestly as far as I'm concerned, that's better than he deserves. I also have to take into consideration that he's Cora's brother, and she loves him. I think there are days she wished she didn't because it would make things a hell of a lot easier for her, but her heart is bigger than anyone else I know, and I don't want her experiences to harden it.
"How's life?" Lark asks with a knowing grin as he meets me in the hallway on the way down to the meeting.
"From the looks of that grin, you already know my answer," I mutter.
Maybe living in this cabin with all of these other people isn't the best idea after all.
"Don't look at me like that," he says with a wide grin as he gives me a slap on the back. "Thin walls."
"If you even hint at or mention that to Cora," I snap.
"She'll cut you off?" His grin grows wider. "I'll keep that in mind."
"And I'll schedule you on another case in Atlanta," I threaten, knowing he hated his last trip there.
"That's cold," he says, but I think the bluff will work, not that he's a spiteful guy or anything. I know he's just giving me a hard time. "Hey, Jersey."
The man in question glares at us after he leaves his own bedroom.
"What's that look for?" I ask.
"The new owners turned The Lost Kitten into a brunch place," he mutters. "Do you know how far that makes the next closest bar?"
The Lost Kitten was the bar that Hemlock was assigned to when the organization first formed. It's where he met Zara.
"A few more miles down the mountain," Lark answers.
"Do you know how long a few miles are in fucking Tennessee?" he growls.
"Regretting leaving ICE?" I ask. He along with Jericho both retired from the Agency to join Cerberus.
"Not a chance. Last night I sat in on a dinner and show. What do you know about the Hatfields and McCoys?"
"Nothing," Lark says, clapping the man on the back. "And I want to keep it that way."
I know we have to sound like a herd of elephants taking the stairs down to the conference room, but Zara just smiles at us from one of the massive sofas in the common area.
"I made breakfast," she says. "Lark, don't eat all the bacon."
"Yes, ma'am," he says, but there's a glint in his eyes as he hastens his steps in that direction.
"Will I see Cora today?" she asks me.
I know the two have been getting along pretty well and were even discussing a meal plan. It seems they both love to cook and work together well even though helping others out around here isn't a requirement. We're all men that can take care of ourselves, but they don't seem to mind stepping into that role. When I asked Cora about it, she said she likes to know that she’s able to help.
"We have that trip back to Columbia today," I remind her, watching as her face falls.
"That's going to be tough," she whispers, and I want to hug the woman for the compassion that she shows Cora with what she's going through, but I know better.
Hemlock would probably rip my arms from my body for touching his woman.
"It will be, but she's strong," I assure her. "Thanks for cooking breakfast."
"Always welcome," she says before lifting the magazine in her lap and starting to flip through it again.
I grab a pre-made sausage egg and cheese sandwich from the heating plate on the counter and a cup of coffee before heading to the conference room.
I sit and eat while waiting for everyone else to arrive.
Looking around the table, I notice that every current member of this chapter is here.
Echo and Zeus sit side by side across from me. Nyx is sitting like a statue, watching everyone as if he hasn't decided if we're his enemies or not yet. Of course, Lark and Jersey are here, but from the look of Lark's plate and the bacon piled high, he's probably due for a heart attack before the end of the meeting.
Hemlock stands at the front of the room, our new IT specialist Casper right beside him.
"Where's Jericho," I ask when the doors start to close and I see Zara is the one pulling them shut.