Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 137176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Because I haven’t seen you since the judge made his decision yesterday afternoon,” he said flatly. I ignored the sting in my belly at the emotionless response. “I need you to work a case today,” Sully continued.
I automatically shook my head despite the fact that it made my already throbbing head hurt worse. “No fucking way,” I responded.
“Then pack your shit and get out,” Sully returned before he climbed to his feet and took the sandwich and dumped it in the garbage.
“What?” I asked, completely confused.
“Get your stuff and go. Leave your keys in the bowl by the door. You can keep your car but I’m going to discontinue the insurance on it today. Your cell phone will also be disconnected since I’m paying for it.”
“You’re kicking me out?” I said in disbelief. “This is my house… our house.”
“Not if you’re not helping to pay for it.” My brother began raising a finger one by one as he rattled off, “Property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance—”
“Sully…” I began with a shake of my head. I didn’t recognize the man before me. My brother had always been a hard-ass, but he’d never been cruel. As much as I’d loved my father, Sully had been the one who’d raised me. He was the one who’d always protected me, cared for me.
“What did you think would happen, JJ? Did you think you’d spend the rest of your life sleeping all day and staying out all night like some college frat boy? What did you think I was doing all these past months by getting you in shape and honing your skills?”
I didn’t answer him because I had known what he’d been doing. I’d just figured I’d be able to talk him out of actually having me working for him. In truth, I’d liked all the exercise and practicing the skills that had been lost to me two years earlier. That didn’t mean I wanted to use them, especially to keep someone else safe. Hell, I couldn’t take care of myself, so how the fuck was I supposed to protect another person?
“I’m not ready,” I admitted. Saying the raw truth out loud had shame burning beneath my skin. Saying it to my brother, of all people, had my whole body going up in flames of humiliation.
Sully rejoined me at the table. He reached out to put his hand over mine, but I automatically pulled it back and tucked it into my lap. My other hand was clinging to my phone as if it were my only lifeline.
His eyes flashed with some brief emotion that I couldn’t name before his face turned grim again.
“Yes, you are,” Sully responded. “You’re a better shot than just about every guy who works for me and your body is back in fighting shape. Your instincts… you never lost those. You’ve got what you need to do this job.”
Sully paused before adding, “You don’t get to play the pity card anymore, JJ. The doctors have cleared you and you need to get back out there. It’s an easy case. Escort an actress to and from her movie premiere, take her shopping, and sit on her house when she’s not out doing whatever else it is that actresses do. She’s gotten a couple of explicit letters from a fan, and they’ve got her and her manager on edge. You’ll be working the job with Axel.”
I couldn’t respond because my body had gone from hot to cold just like that. Now I just felt numb.
“Look, JJ. I need this case to go well because word of mouth is what’s going to get Targes out of the red. Business is picking up but until I can get money coming in from cases, I can’t afford to hire more guys. And money won’t come in until I get more guys… skilled guys and not mercenary wannabes on board. So right now, I need you to step up…”
I nodded because I knew Sully was right. I’d been through hell and back, but I had come back. Maybe it was time to see how far. How hard could it be to babysit an actress?
Even if the case bored me to tears, at least I’d be able to get my mind off the man who’d tried to end my life with a bullet to the brain. Chances were that Cassius Ashby was once again enveloped in the comfort of his family’s money.
Besides, there was nothing saying I couldn’t keep going to Tank’s when I wasn’t on duty. I could hide myself away with lots of cheap drinks and anonymous sex. Nothing really had to change. I could play “back to his old self” JJ during the day and be anyone other than myself at night.
“Okay,” I agreed.
“It’ll be okay, JJ. I just need you to trust me,” Sully responded as he rose to his feet. I saw him reach out to pat me on the shoulder, but he stopped himself before I was forced to pull away.