Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Then she ran straight toward him. Panic showed in every stride, her hair whipping behind her in the night wind.
Adam ran straight toward her.
Behind her, the front door crashed open again. Billy Rockefeller stepped onto the porch with a shotgun in his hands. “And if you come back,” Billy shouted, “I’ll shoot you!”
Bianca reached Adam at a dead sprint. Clancy and Ewan were at the SUV, which was way too close to the porch.
Adam caught Bianca and shoved her behind his back, placing his body between her and the porch. Everything in his vision turned red.
Billy stood on the porch steps, shotgun raised halfway toward them.
Adam launched forward before Billy had time to react, slamming into him full force. He drove his shoulder into Billy’s chest and knocked him backward against the porch railing. The shotgun slid sideways in Billy’s grip.
Adam grabbed the barrel and twisted. The weapon jerked upward toward the sky. He forced it away from Billy’s hands and slammed the stock toward the ground. Then his knee drove into Billy’s ribs.
Billy folded over with a choked grunt, his blond hair falling across his face as the air left his lungs.
Adam snapped the shotgun open. Two shells sat in the chamber. He yanked them out and flung them into the dirt beside the porch. The metal clicked shut again in his hands.
“You’re trespassing,” Billy gasped out.
Adam hauled Billy upright by the front of his shirt. “Did you actually just point a gun at her?”
Billy sucked in a ragged breath. “She came into my house.”
“You invited us,” Bianca shouted from behind Adam.
Adam grabbed Billy by the throat with his free hand and drove him backward into the doorframe. The wood cracked under the impact. Billy’s eyes bulged.
“Did you invite her inside,” Adam said, his voice low and deadly, “and then point a gun at her?”
Billy clawed at Adam’s wrist. “You’re trespassing,” he croaked. His face turned red as he struggled for air.
Ewan jogged up beside Adam, hands raised. “Uh… he can’t breathe, dude.”
Adam barely heard him. His entire focus locked onto Billy. “Answer me,” Adam growled.
“Yes,” Billy gasped. The word scraped out of his throat.
Adam was careful not to cause permanent damage. Not yet, anyway. “Why the hell would you invite them inside and then pull a gun?”
Billy coughed and wheezed. “I told her to leave.”
Adam glanced over Ewan’s shoulder and saw Clancy standing near the SUV, watching the entire scene with wide eyes. “Bianca,” Adam said without turning around. “Get in the truck.” His voice stayed calm and steady.
For once, she didn’t argue. Behind him he heard his truck door open.
Adam turned back to Billy. “You ever point a gun at her again,” he said quietly, “and we’re going to have a much bigger problem.”
Billy glared at him through watering eyes. “You people are bringing trouble to this town.”
Ewan cleared his throat. “You have to let him breathe. I mean, if you want him to live.”
Adam lowered his face closer to Billy’s. The man’s skin had turned a dark red that bordered on purple. Yeah… he probably ought to give the guy a little air. He loosened his grip on Billy’s throat just enough for him to drag in a shaky breath.
“Now tell me,” Adam said, his voice still low. “Did they threaten you?”
“No,” Billy croaked.
“Then why’d you pull a gun?”
Billy coughed and struggled like a landed trout, but Adam didn’t let go. “To make a point.”
Adam glanced around the yard. The porch light cast long shadows across the driveway and the tall weeds near the fence line. Beyond the property, dark trees crowded together under the Montana night sky. “Is your wife inside the house?”
Billy blinked at him. “No. She’s up at the church,” he gasped.
Adam nodded slowly. “Good.”
Billy swallowed. “Why?”
“Well then,” Adam said calmly, “where do you want me to bury your body?”
Behind him, Clancy cleared his throat. “Um… I’m thinking murder might not be a good idea.”
“I’m okay with it,” Ewan said from Adam’s side.
Adam glanced down. Ewan stood beside him with his hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets. He winked.
Adam shook his head. “Why don’t you all take off? I’ll handle Billy here.”
“No,” Bianca gasped.
Adam looked over his shoulder at the truck.
Bianca sat in the passenger seat with the door open. One boot rested on the ground while she gripped the edge of the door frame. “Really,” she said. “Let’s just get out of here, Adam. I’d rather none of us get arrested tonight.”
Beside Adam, Ewan cleared his throat again. “I’m okay with getting arrested.”
Adam turned toward him, not caring that Billy kept struggling against his hold. “What is up with you tonight?”
“Hey,” Billy croaked, both hands clawing weakly at Adam’s grip.
Ewan tilted his head and studied Adam for a moment. “I thought you were cute before.” He gave Adam a slow once-over. “But you’re seriously hot right now.”