Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
I did plan to give Hope another surprise visit today at the diner, but I drive out to see my mother instead. I basically want to see if she was still alive.
She’s been calling me non-stop, and she only ever does that when she needs something. I never entertain her, but I don’t delete her number either. Maybe I have a morbid curiosity myself. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I care about her, but there will always be an attachment between us, whether I like it or not.
I don’t stop to talk to her. I just drive past the trailer she’s lived in for almost fifteen years, and there she is, sitting out front on a ratty lawn chair, a bottle of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. It’s like time hasn’t changed at all except that her leathery skin drapes off her bones worse than ever. I don’t remember a time when my mother ever had life in her, but as the years go by, it only worsens. I know one day she’ll prove me right, continuing the same patterns I warned her about that will most likely put her in an early grave. But that’s not today.
I don’t know why I put myself through this shit to check up on her. Perhaps I’ve been feeling sentimental lately. I forsake Hope because of her family name, but at least she can stand proudly. I, however, have done everything I can to clean my hands of any association with my family.
I’m sure my therapist would love to talk about it, but I just don’t care. Some things can’t be changed, and some things are better left behind.
When I’m driving back into the city, my partner calls.
“It’s ten in the evening. Shouldn’t you be asleep?” I tease Lucas.
“I have an interesting update I thought might interest you.”
“In the case?” I demand.
“Maybe. One of my friends is following two of the Ivanov’s. You might be shocked to discover who’s with them.”
My grip tightens on the steering wheel because I don’t like the idea of Lucas being perceptive to my interest in Hope. Then again, he probably has a personal grudge since her friend stole his wallet. He doesn’t even have to say it’s her because I know it is. “Where?”
“I’ll send you the coordinates.”
The location pops up on my screen. “You stay put. I’ll investigate it myself. Send me a photo of your guy.”
He does as I request, and a photo of a bald man with brown eyes comes up on the screen.
It looks like everything is in full swing already.
It takes me forty minutes to get there, and when I do, I don’t give a flying fuck as I flash my badge and waltz in like I own the place. This club is one of the few establishments the Mafia families don’t own. Which means this is neutral turf.
People call out and grumble complaints as I skip the line and walk inside.
The minute I enter, the music hits me hard, and I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve had a night out. I don’t even know the fucking music that’s playing. The last time I had some fun on a night out was when I first crossed paths with Hope. I find it ironic how similar that night is to this one. I’ve fucked plenty of women since her, but I haven’t taken interest in one like I did with her that night. The one woman that I should avoid.
The one woman who thinks she’s out of my reach and circle of influence.
That night seems to be repeating itself because here I am, on my night off, in a fucking club, searching for a little redhead with glasses and a sinister smile.
I’m on the hunt for the little monster that rarely leaves her cage. And I’m hoping to catch her in the act of something damning.
CHAPTER 14
Hope
I couldn’t get out of going to the club with Hawke, and believe me when I say I definitely tried.
So I enlisted the best sidekick one could ask for—Ivy. She’s wearing a sparkly dress with knee-high boots. I’ve never understood Ivy and Hawke’s relationship. They seem to get along like the rest of us but have a strange reverence for one another being… well, whores. They love it. They live for the chase and indulge in the catch.
Ivy’s a party girl through and through, and when you mix that with Hawke, who likes to party just as hard, I know it’s going to be a crazy night, and my batteries are already drained. Billie couldn’t make it because of a work trip but, honestly, I’m happy for her and Ford. They’re definitely in the honeymoon stage, so even if she was staying with him for the evening, I wouldn’t be opposed to it. Hell, I’d much rather that for myself as well.