Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I held up my hand. “Not listening.”
“But I promise—”
I started to laugh. Even Sean snickered.
“You took my glass! What do you think I’m gonna use?”
I shrugged as I watched the last screw being drilled into place. “Maybe you’ll strip the wallpaper and turn it into some sort of weapon.” Stepping back, I nodded. “That should do.”
Sean tugged on the new bars that now covered the two windows in Skylar’s room. I had found the old glass for the one, and we had fitted it in and nailed it shut. Long, heavy screws held the bars in place. We even added ones to the outside she couldn’t possibly remove. Skylar didn’t have a chance of getting out now.
“Yep.” He jumped off the stool he was standing on, not even remotely bothered by the glare Skylar was throwing his way.
“Both of you are assholes.”
I laughed at the fact that Sean had fallen off her good list and joined me on the shit one.
“If you’d stop trying to break out, we wouldn’t have to do this,” he pointed out.
“Well, I’ve got nothing left to use, so I guess I’m stuck here with you two…gentlemen.”
Sean and I exchanged glances. That was far too easy. I looked around the room. Aside from the furniture, some books and clothes, there was nothing for her to use. We’d scoured the room and taken anything I thought she could possibly find useful. I narrowed my eyes at her, but her gaze remained downcast, her bandaged fingers picking at the torn backpack sitting beside her. I reached over and grabbed it, shaking the few things still left in it on the top of the bed. Skylar shrieked in dismay as I picked up a small, flowery bag.
“What’s in here?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Nothing!”
“What?”
“Nothing, I swear!”
Not believing her, I pulled the zipper open, my eyes widening when I saw the contents. Without another word, I zipped it shut and tossed it to her.
“Told you,” she muttered.
I shook my head, snatched the drill, and stormed out of the room. In the kitchen, I grabbed a beer and went into the small front room, flinging myself onto the couch. I swallowed a large mouthful as I watched the storm swirling outside. Sean had brought a ton of food and a few more things for Skylar with him, making it back before the snow hit. Listening to the wind, I was glad we’d gotten the windows done. It was going to be far too cold to have only put a sheet of plywood over the hole. I didn’t want Skylar cold—because she’d be even more of a pain in the ass if she were sick.
That was the only reason.
Sean joined me, beer in hand. He tossed something on the coffee table.
“What’s that?”
“The last of the contraband.”
I leaned forward and picked it up. “Fuck’s sake. The butter spreader?”
He nodded with a laugh. “She grabbed it during the commotion the other night.”
I shook my head. Neither of us had noticed it missing. “What the hell did she think she’d do with it? It’s as flimsy as shit!”
“She’s fucking clever. She’d think of something. With that, some chewing gum, and string, MacGyver would probably figure out how to make a small bomb.” Then he laughed. “Of course she’d probably only singe her eyebrows off with it, but she’d fucking try.”
I had to laugh with him. I’d give her that—she’d try. Her ideas simply never panned out well.
“Where was it?”
“In the cushion. She kept looking that way, and I decided to check. I think we’re good now.” He paused, the bottle partway to his lips. “What was in the bag you threw back at her?”
I shuddered. “Tampons.”
He threw his head back, laughing. “You looked like they were gonna bite you!”
“Fuck’s sake, Sean. Can you imagine her with PMS? God, this better be over before we have to deal with that. I’m not sure either of us would survive.”
“Good thing I bought chocolate. I think it’s the only way Julia makes it through some months.”
I rolled my eyes. TMI, but good to know.
The house felt unusually quiet. Outside, the wind picked up, and the snow became heavier. I clicked on the screen to check on Skylar. She was sitting on the end of the bed, staring at her open door, and not moving. I glanced up from the laptop and frowned at Sean. “Why is Skylar’s door open?”
He shrugged. “She’s not going anywhere, Cian. I put her coat and shoes by the front door. She knows it’s storming. We’re both here, and we can see her door from either room. It’s not as if she can sneak down the hall and outside. I told her she could sit with us if she wanted or stay in her room.” He paused and shrugged. “I thought she might relax a little if she could move around. We’ve had her locked up for a couple of days.”