Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I hear footsteps behind me, and hope fills me that it might be Abbi, but when I spin around, I find Rem, Ryan, Chase, and Millie watching me.
“I know,” I say before they can speak. “I shouldn’t have walked out, but I was about to say some shit that I couldn’t take back, and I needed a minute.”
“I get it,” Millie says. “As long as you’re not going to do something stupid and give up on her or something.”
“No. I don’t think that’s possible. She’s my heart, beating outside of my chest.”
I look at the four of them and shove my hands into my pockets.
“I’ve already figured out who this Janet person is,” Ryan informs me. “It’ll be taken care of.”
“You’re kind of scary, Ry.”
“I know.” He doesn’t smile at me.
“If she’d just said something a year ago, it would all be over by now,” Chase says, shaking his head.
“She doesn’t trust people very easily. Even when she loves them,” Remington replies. “And, with all of the shit she’s been through, I can see why. We’ll just have to keep showing her why she can trust us.”
“How is she?” I ask, kicking a rock. “Is she okay? Is she crying? Shit, I should get back in there.”
“She’s gone,” Millie replies. “She scooped up Daisy and left.”
“What the fuck do you mean, she’s gone?”
“She’s pretty insistent that she doesn’t want us to help her,” Ryan says. “She says that she won’t bring that mess here, so she’s planning to skip town with Daisy and run.”
“And you let her go?” I stare at Chase. “You fucking let her go?”
“She hasn’t done anything wrong,” he replies. “The missing person’s bulletin is trash. So, she changed a name here and there; it’s not illegal. She is free to go wherever she pleases.”
“Fuck that.” I push through them, ready to go to war to make sure Abbi does not leave. “I have to go get her.”
“Good luck,” Millie calls after me.
“I’ll be behind you,” Chase adds. “I have to stop at the station and then get Abbi’s official statement so I can resolve the missing child bulletin that was sent here.”
I’ve never driven into town so fast, and I curse a blue streak when I get stopped at a red light in town, but then I’m off and running again and pull into Abbi’s driveway behind her SUV.
I ring the doorbell, but no one answers.
“Come on, Blue Eyes,” I call out. “Answer this door!”
Still nothing, so I unlock it and walk right in.
And then feel my blood go cold. Standing in the middle of the living room is a middle-aged woman with wild eyes, holding on to Daisy as if she’s a lifeline.
Daisy’s crying, and Abbi’s face is sheet white.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, keeping my voice casual. “I didn’t realize you had company.”
“You bitch,” Janet bites out as she cradles Daisy and runs her hand down the little girl’s hair. “How dare you steal my daughter?”
“Mommy,” Daisy cries.
“Shh,” Janet says. “I’m right here. Mommy’s here.”
That only makes Daisy cry harder.
“Hello?” I walk around the woman so she has to look at me. “Hi. I’m Brady. You must be Janet. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Sure, it’s all recent, but I’ve heard a lot, nonetheless.
“Good, you’re here,” Janet says. “Call the police. I’ve finally found my daughter, and this little bitch needs to be arrested.”
She’s pointing at Abbi.
“Janet, you know that isn’t true,” Abbi says, keeping her voice soft. “You remember that Nate and I had a little girl, Daisy. This is Daisy, not Natalie.”
“You’re lying!” Janet screams, and Daisy wails with her. “This is my baby. My little baby.”
I hold my hand out without looking her way, and Abbi slides her hand into mine, palm to palm, and closes her fingers tightly.
“Janet, a policeman will be here shortly to help us straighten all of this out.”
“Do you know what she is?” Janet asks, gesturing to Abbi with her chin. “She’s a lowlife. She trapped my son into a marriage. He didn’t know what he was doing. She used her tits and her cunt to lure my poor boy in.”
Janet’s crying now, and I’m seeing nothing but red.
“That’s not true,” Abbi whispers.
“Chase is coming,” I murmur to her and squeeze her hand reassuringly.
“And now she’s found herself another rich man,” Janet continues. “A rodeo god. What a joke. You’re all a joke. And I refuse to let you have my daughter for even a moment more.”
Daisy is just whimpering now, not even fighting to get away from Janet. I don’t care if the crazy old bitch talks all night now that her grip on my kid has loosened.
“Janet,” I begin and lick my lips, “would you mind if we set Daisy on the couch where she’ll be more comfortable?”
“No.” Her grip tightens, and Daisy whimpers. “You’ll take her. You’re all trying to take her.”