Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
I don’t think I’ve voiced much more than a couple grunts since he picked me up from the airport.
He already knew, from Grey, and didn’t ask about that when I got into his ride. First, he congratulated me, but correctly read my reaction and launched into an immediate update on what’s happening with Jared and Cicely. The rest of the council is focused on that at the moment. I wasn’t surprised there was something up with Jared’s wolf. Linc did a good job of deflecting all that shit.
He vouched for Jared, and I can’t help but feel annoyed that he didn’t level with us. Joel says nobody is as pissed off as Linc is. He’s beating himself up that shit could’ve gone even worse than it did, that Cicely could’ve been killed.
Joel told me he got the call on the way to get me that some of the Young sisters are already out there trying to get a read on that situation but that they dropped Bailey off first, which is a relief.
I’m also glad I won’t have to deal with those Young sisters when I pick her up. That’s what I need right now. To pick Bailey up, bring her home, and work this shit out.
Joel stops in the Blackwood driveway and Graydon has his eyes pointed at me from the open garage where he’s polishing his sweet fire engine red convertible muscle car.
“Thanks, bro,” I say as I open the door.
“Congrats again. Want me to drop your bag on your front step on my way past?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Joel.”
“Best of luck, my man,” Joel says and pulls away immediately, which is good, because an unmated alpha near my mate? No. Not all right.
It dawns all I know means Jared has a gaggle of pack members out there and frankly I have no clue how that’d make me feel right now. Not good, that’s for sure. He already claimed Cicely, and now it’s my time to claim Bailey, so we’ll see if it settles me. Because I’ve been amped for days, more amped than I can remember feeling.
“Graydon,” I greet.
He stuffs the polishing cloth into his back pocket and extends his hand as I approach.
We shake hands and his free hand lands on my shoulder.
“Congratulations, Jase. Glad it’s you.”
I blow out a hard exhale, letting that settle in my bones. “Thank you, sir,” I say. “That means a lot.”
Concern etches his features. “Always wanted her claimed by someone that can look after her, keep her safe and make her happy. Even better that she won’t have to move away. Gotta say though, she’s not too happy with you, but I’m shocked as shit she left you behind. That’s not Bailey.”
“No sir. It’s not.” Shocked the shit out of me that she did it, too.
“Maybe you fucked up before realizing who she is to you, and I don’t give a shit about that compared to what’s ahead. I know you’ll treat her right, Jase. Gonna level with you here, though, it’ll ease my mind to hear those words, too.”
“Despite that I’m a little fucked up from what we just went through, not to mention pissed that she took off and made it so I couldn’t protect her, that won’t color how this goes for very long. I’m here to take her home and work it out. And I will absolutely treat her right, Graydon.”
Graydon slaps my shoulder and gestures toward the house. “Welcome to the family, Jase. Though you know you’ve already been part of ours since you were a kid. Go on in.”
That feels good.
The front door opens and here she is, looking angry, smelling incredible, and she’s trembling, which doesn’t feel good.
Her mother stands behind her, looking like… not like Carrie Blackwood, really, which is concerning, but my eyes focus on Bailey.
She’s wearing a denim skirt and a frilly white blouse. Her hair is loose, falling down her back. Her legs are bare and so are her feet.
She holds her hand up. “If you’re here to talk to me, no.”
“If I’m here to talk to you? If?” I pull in a breath and exhale before adding, “Hello, Mrs. Blackwood.”
“Hi Jase,” Carrie says softly. “You know you don’t have to call me that. Um, why don’t you come on in, and we’ll have something to eat. Talk, maybe?”
“Please don’t take offense to this, Carrie, I’ve got nothing but respect for you and your home. But I can’t stay. I’m here to pick up Bailey. I’m sure you heard by now that Bailey is mine.”
“Yes, I’ve heard,” Carrie Blackwood says softly, but her eyes look troubled.
“And it’s been days since I knew this and yet I haven’t even been able to as much as hold her hand, let alone keep her safe in some very dodgy circumstances. We need our time together. And then after that, I’d be more than happy to have a place at your dinner table as often as you want to invite me over.”