Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
“Jess is here for pizza night,” he says as Drew peeks out the door before locking it behind our visitor.
Panic builds in my chest, my heart pounding as I wait for Crew to tell me he’s leaving, that he has an “errand” to run while pretending Jess isn’t here to distract me from God knows what he’ll be off doing.
But then Jess moves into the kitchen as Crew settles beside me on the couch, then takes the remote and starts searching for something to put on the TV.
My mind eases the slightest bit as I rise to my feet, joining Jess.
I go to turn on the oven, but he shakes his head, a small, slightly forced smile on his lips.
“Figured we earned the good shit this time around, so I ordered about a half hour ago. It’ll be here anytime.”
“Pineapples?”
“What do I look like, an amateur?”
His tease comes easy, and we both laugh a little.
“Thank you for the other night. I know it was a lot to walk into.”
Jess nods, not denying he was out of his element, but adds, “I’m just glad I was home when he called me.”
My brows furrow, and Jess tips his head slightly. “You didn’t know he called?” He cuts a quick glance toward Crew, who is likely pretending he isn’t listening to our conversation.
“I guess I didn’t think about it. How did you get by those guys?”
“The door was unlocked, I just let myself in. One guy shouted something, but stumbled, so I kept walking, and I didn’t see the others until they came out of one of the rooms, but I already had you with me by then. I wasn’t sure which one was your brother so I did my best to ignore them all.”
I nod. “Well, I appreciate it and you not calling the police.”
He eyes me a moment, a forced smile following.
He wants to ask who they were and what they wanted, how I’m involved, but I don’t think he knew my brother was here, so I’m sure he already assumes Crew brought the trouble here. He helped regardless, and he’s here now, so it doesn’t really matter. He’s moving back home anyway, so there’s no reason to go into too much detail.
The doorbell rings and Jess claps his hands, happy to end the awkward conversation and busy our mouths with food.
Crew’s phone rings and I look at him as he picks it up, Drew heading for the door, but before he can open it, Crew’s head snaps that way. Drew freezes instantly.
Crew looks to me, concern in his gaze. “Lock yourself in your room.”
When I don’t move, he barks, “Now, Davis.”
“Pizza’s here!” Someone chuckles from outside. “Hurry up before it gets cold!”
My muscles lock, and Crew’s glare doubles.
He charges me, grips my face firmly, his voice stiff and harsh, his eyes soft and begging. “Go. Now. And do not come out. DO you understand me?”
Tears prick my eyes, and I nod, heading for my room.
“Go with her.”
I don’t look to see who he’s talking about, but I know it’s not Drew, because the person actually listens.
Jess and I lock ourselves inside my room, tears stinging my eyes.
There’s some shouting followed by a loud thud, and I jolt, dashing for the door, but Jess throws himself in front of it, shaking his head.
“Jess, you don’t understand, I—”
“Maybe not, but I can’t let you go out there. He said stay, that means he thinks you’re safer in here. So stay, Davis.” He frowns, quickly adding, “Please.”
A small growl leaves me, and I drop my head back, trying to keep my tears at bay.
“Fuck you!” Drew’s shout booms from the living room, something crashing to the wall with a hard crash. “Tell your boss my brother is off-limits!”
Another crash, one that rattles the door on its frame.
I meet Jess’s eyes, and his tighten, his hand wrapping around the door, conflicted.
“Touch him again, you’re dead.” Crew’s voice is loud yet somehow low. It makes no sense but hearing him has my lungs expanding. He’s okay.
A third crash, too many shouts to count, and then, “You shut the fuck up! You back the fuck up before I stick this fucking pipe up your ass!”
Willie. Willie’s here.
I nod to myself. This is good.
Maybe.
“Tell this Kaleb, he can suck my fucking dick. We’re not interested in what he has to say.”
My ears perk.
Kaleb…
Dashing to my side of the bed, I dig my pants from beneath it, tearing into the back pocket, where I saved a single card left outside the bar and read the service listed.
Kaleb’s Car Service.
It was him.
My head snaps up, my eye meeting Jess’s, his narrowing as I fish my phone from where I left it on the nightstand.
I dial the number, heart pounding as I bring it to my ear.
“Davis…” Jess studies me. “What are you doing?”