Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I loved that he already knew her so well too. How much he cared about her.
Every time she sent pictures, he wanted to look at them. When she called, he insisted on eavesdropping. When we video-chatted before bed, he always wanted to say hi.
I’d never met a guy who was so family-oriented before. Then again, I’d never known a man who grew up in such a big family. He was constantly answering texts not only from his mom, dad, and sister, but all his cousins.
One night, I’d caught him online shopping for a birthday present for one of his nieces. Let’s just say the little girl was about to be spoiled as hell.
Another night, I’d heard him in the bathroom, whisper-talking on the phone. My heart sank. Until I heard him say Willa’s name, and realized he was talking to his cousin. The one who was a new mom and had a somewhat nocturnal schedule.
The man was always there to chat, to show support, to offer love.
I couldn’t imagine how lucky any child of his would be. Even as I really hoped I would get to see that for myself.
“What do you say?” Rune asked.
“About a picnic in the glass room?” I asked, pretending to hem and haw it.
It was the only spot in the whole clubhouse I hadn’t been privy to yet. Only because of my own limitations. But my hand was feeling a lot better and we were both reasonably sure I could get up the ladder using one arm and the crook of my elbow.
“I think it sounds like fun. If I can get up the ladder.”
“You’re mostly using your legs to climb. Besides, I’ll be below you. Enjoying the view.”
“And making sure I don’t fall.”
“Right. Sure. That too. But it’s mostly for the view.”
I rolled my eyes and crawled off the bed I’d been rotting in most of the day. “Are you preparing the picnic?”
“It was my idea, so I’m handling all the details.”
“Then I’m going to take a quick shower.”
“Can I change my mind and join you?” he asked, eyes bright.
“No. You promised me a picnic. I want a picnic.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, but grabbed me by the hips and pulled me in for a kiss long and lingering enough to make me second-guess myself.
“Nice try,” I said, pulling away and planting a hand to the center of his chest to push him back. “Go get everything ready. I’ll get myself pretty.”
“Already done. But fine.”
Alone, I took my time scrubbing, shaving, and slathering on lotion. There was one thing I knew about the glass room (aside from how safe it was), and that was that everyone ‘broke it in.’ If we were going to have sex up there during our picnic, I wanted to be smelling, feeling, and looking my best.
Of course, ‘my best’ when it came to clothes wasn’t much to write home about. I hadn’t packed much, and most of it was in the wash. So I was left with a pair of my sleep shorts and one of Rune’s black ribbed tank tops. No bra. Because why make it harder than it had to be to get naked up there?
Finished, I waited for Rune while texting my sister, who was so close to California she could almost taste it.
For a day or two there, despite getting very excited about various landmarks, it was clear she was getting pretty sick of being in the car so much. I was glad she was close to being home. But also still secretly happy she was on the road. In my mind, driving meant safe. Stationary meant someone could track her down.
I was in the dark about the progress when it came to my cousins. But I figured that the fact that we were still stuck at the clubhouse meant that they hadn’t taken care of the issue yet.
I was surprised how… not conflicted I was about the whole thing. Yes, Jack and his brother were blood, but Vicky had been family. There was a very important difference. And because of them, Vicky was gone. I’d never stand next to her at her wedding, have playdates with our babies together, or grow into hilariously inappropriate old ladies with her.
She was gone.
They were responsible.
They had to pay for that.
And since the cops couldn’t pin it on anyone, they would never face legal justice. Which only left the street kind.
I couldn’t judge Rune and the club for wanting to handle it with a gun. If I’d known sooner and had my own, I would have done it myself.
Besides, my aunt had passed away a few months back. They had no other close family members to mourn them.
It was what it was.
It had to be done to make all of us safe again.
The only thing I was genuinely conflicted about was the fact that I both wanted my life back but also didn’t want an excuse to leave the clubhouse. Not yet.