Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
I shoot Carter a glare, but he’s right. I could use a hot shower. When I’m done I’m going to call Roman. I’m just not sure how I want to play this.
Do I come right out and tell him who I’m looking for? He might ice me out the same as the woman last night. Or I could say I’m interested in the Healing Homes Organization. That I want to become more involved and would like a tour. Between that and the donation I sent, that should definitely get me in the door. Once I’m in, nothing will stop me from getting to Kennedy.
“I’ll be back,” I tell Carter, heading up to my room.
“I’ll get coffee,” he calls after me. My phone starts ringing in my pocket. No name shows. Normally I’d clear it, but since Kennedy disappeared, I answer every single call if I don’t know the number.
“Oz.”
“Where have you been? You missed the gala last night.”
“Did you call me from a random phone?”
“Yes. It’s the only way I can get my son to pick up the phone when I call him. What if I was hurt or something major is wrong?”
“I think you’ll be okay. You have an army of staff buzzing around you all the time.”
“They aren’t my family.”
“I’m busy right now, and I told you last week I wasn’t going to the damn gala.”
She lets out an annoyed huff. I have to keep my anger in check. Lashing out at her will do nothing but make things worse. If it wasn't for Dad, I would have parted ways with her long ago.
My father might have been shit when it came to business, but for some crazy-ass reason he loved Mom. He made me promise to take care of her. He knew the sort of messes she could get herself into.
“I’ve been trying to be understanding with everything that you have going on, but this is getting ridiculous at this point. You’re lucky I offered her that money. Now you know what kind of girl she was before she got her hooks into you. Or worse. She could have become pregnant with how reckless the two of you were being. You would have been stuck for the rest of your life. Instead of being upset, you should be thanking me for having your best interest at heart.”
My mother’s words have me pausing outside my hotel door. Pregnant. Why has that thought never crossed my mind? Did she run from me knowing she is carrying our child? White-hot anger burns through my chest at the thought.
“If I find out you’re lying about anything you told me, we will be done. All of it. I’ll put you in a home and be done with you,” I tell her. I’m tired of these fucking games.
I know Kennedy. I’ve touched and tasted every inch of my shy, sweet girl. She doesn't have a cruel bone in her whole body. She wouldn’t even kill a spider.
“Why would I need to lie?”
“I mean about any of it, Mother. Even if you’re only stretching the truth. You think about that and call me back if you have something you want to confess. But Mother, you’d be best to remember that time is ticking. I’m closing in on my girl. I’ll get her side of the story then. I’ll get the truth one way or another.”
“You found her?” she gasps. I don't bother responding. I end the call and hop in the shower. I quickly clean myself up to get back downstairs.
The shower makes me feel a bit better, but I’m still on edge. More so than normal. My patience is wearing thinner by the second. I need to see my girl. My mother’s words keep circling around in my head.
“What happened?” Carter stands when he sees me headed his way. “Who pissed you off now?”
“My mother.” I shake my head.
“How are we doing this?” Carter asks, following me out of the hotel. He already has the car pulled up front.
“Going to go by there again. If that fails, I’ll make a few calls.” I slip into the passenger side. The shelter isn’t far from here. It’s hard to think Kennedy would rather be in a shelter than with me. “Stop!” I shout when I see the silky dark locks that fall all the way down her back. I would recognize her anywhere. I memorized every inch of my sweet girl.
I jump out of the car. My heart thumps faster with each step I take, willing the girl to turn her head my way. So many times I’ve thought I saw her. I was wrong every time. She reaches for the door to the little diner, her head turning just enough for me to get a look at her face.
It’s her. I waste no time. I bolt after her down the sidewalk before I run across the street. Carter calls after me, but there is no stopping me now. I finally fucking found her. I can’t even describe what I’m feeling in this moment. I pull open the door to the diner, which makes some bells jingle loudly. My eyes search everywhere, but I don’t see her. If my head is fucking with me again, I’ll rip this place apart. I clench my hands into fists, trying to cool my anger. There is no way my mind is playing this elaborate of a trick on me.