Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“None of this feels right.” Viper sounded more than a little displeased as he said, “This girl could really fuck you over, and us, too.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
I’d known Viper a long time. I knew he put his brothers and their club above everything else, and he’d put an end to anyone who put them in harm’s way. I had no doubt the same would hold true for me. Sensing the tension building within the room, Doc interjected, “It’d help if we knew something about her. I mean, anything would help at this point.”
“I agree.” Viper took out his phone, and then stepped over to the girl and took a couple of pictures. “I’ll get Menace to try that facial recognition computer bullshit again and see if he can find anything on her.”
Menace was the Sinners’ computer hacker. He’d already run a picture of my wounded guest but hadn’t come up with anything. He also took some time to look into Antonio and discovered the Italian mafia boss was looking to expand his business to Nashville. While that was not new information to me, he also learned DeLuca was rubbing shoulders with some of the city’s most influential politicians and was making a real name for himself.
While Viper thought it was worthwhile, I had my doubts that the second search would uncover anything on the girl, but said, “Hopefully, he’ll have better luck this time.”
“Certainly hope so.”
I was just as concerned about her identity as Viper was, but I was even more concerned about her wellbeing. It was that concern that led me to turn to Doc and ask, “So, what do I do about the girl?”
“Not much to do. Just give her the last round of antibiotics later tonight and wait. If she happens to wake up, give me a call, and we’ll go from there.”
“Good deal. I really appreciate it.”
“Hope you feel the same when your girl wakes up.”
He gave me a pat on the shoulder, then started out of the room. Viper and I followed him outside and over to their bikes. Viper had just gotten on his when he spotted my Harley Street Glide parked in the garage. “You taken her out lately?”
“It’s been a while, but I’m hoping to get back out soon. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get the chance once all the dust settles.”
“You know you’re always welcome to come out to the clubhouse and ride with the boys and me.”
“I might just take you up on that.”
“Hope you do.” He started his bike as he said, “The invitation’s always open.”
He gave me a quick nod, and then he and Doc started down the drive. I waited until they were both out of sight before I headed back into the house. I made me a bite to eat, and after a quick shower, I went down to check in on my guest one last time.
As expected, she was sleeping soundly. I walked over and checked her vitals like Doc had showed me, and once I was certain nothing had changed, I went upstairs and crawled into bed. As I laid there staring up at the ceiling, I got to thinking about my guest in the basement. Other than the time I’d helped out Menace and Aubrey, I hadn’t had a woman in this house since Kiersten’s mother.
Never really planned to.
But I learned a long time ago that things rarely go as planned.
Just like on the day I lost her….
“I don’t like leaving you like this.” I sat down on the edge of the bed and placed my hand on her shoulder. “I can call Gary and have him cover my shift. That way I can stay…”
“No,” Grace muttered. “I don’t want you missing work over one of my stupid headaches.”
“I can tell it’s one of your bad ones, sweetheart.” I loved my wife dearly. She was my world, and I hated seeing that pained look in her eyes. “I can get your heating pad and make you some tea.”
“Oh, Billy. You’re always so good to me, but you know how I am when I get a migraine like this.” She closed her eyes and nestled into her pillow. “I’m just going to lay here in the dark and sleep. There’s no sense in you missing work to just be bored out of your mind. Besides, I know you have that big case you’ve been working on.”
“No case is as important as you.”
“Billy,” she complained.
“Okay. Okay.” I leaned down and kissed her on the temple. “Can I get you anything before I leave?”
“Maybe some tea and my pills from the medicine cabinet?”
“You got it.”
I stood, then went to the kitchen to make her some tea. Once it was ready, I grabbed crackers and some fruit and carried everything into the bedroom. I placed it on the table beside her, then went to the bathroom to grab her pills. By the time I returned, she was on the verge of falling asleep.