Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 70516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
She pulled away and hastily wiped at her eyes, then cupped my cheek with both of her hands before saying, “And you would’ve done what? Been scared and frustrated from inside of the jail cell that I put you in? Winnie, I tried. I really did. I wrote you so many letters. But I couldn’t send them. Because what would that have accomplished? I didn’t know that you knew the kind of people that could break you out of prison, though.”
“Speaking of.” Apollo frowned. “How did you get here? I’ve been watching your activities for a year now.”
“Learning how to hide my movements became necessary when Sonny…” she trailed off. “I stole a car.”
“You what?” I barked.
Pippa looked sheepish for a long moment. “It was the only way.”
“Jesus.” I chuckled. “Straightlaced big sis stealing cars.”
“I’m a half a minute older than you,” Pippa pointed out, swiping once again at her eyes. “I’ve done a lot of stuff I’m not proud of since Stanton died, Winnie. I’ve turned into someone he wouldn’t even recognize. Hell, my mom and dad hate me. Boston can’t stand to be around me. You…the way you looked at me that day in the courtroom when I gave my testimony? I’ll never, not ever, get that look of betrayal out of my head.”
I squeezed her shoulder. “I may not exactly like how it went down, Pip, but I sure the fuck can’t blame you for protecting my kid the only way you knew how.”
She leaned her head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
A voice cleared.
I looked up to see Black looking our way.
“Not to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re gorgeous as fuck, and you’re noticed. Several people spotted you driving in. They also noted when you ditched that car. You won’t be able to skate by here looking like that.”
I snorted.
“So what do you propose that I do?” Pippa asked but then shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what I look like. I had to make sure that she was okay. Now that I know she’s fine, I’m going to go back home.” She looked at me then. “Can you get Mom and Dad here? Can you somehow get them a new life?”
“I’m not leaving you there to deal with this shit alone,” I said.
She pushed out of my lap and stood. “You’re finally here and happy, Weaver.”
She used my new name and it hurt.
Really hurt.
“I…”
“Don’t care what you think,” Pippa said. “This is my mess. I’m going to deal with it.”
“You don’t have to deal with it on your own,” Eddy said softly. “We can find you a new life here, too. You can cut your hair. Change your hair color. Dress in different clothes. Once you lose the tan, and maybe put some contacts on, there’s no way that someone’s going to find you way up here. Plus, you have a town full of bikers that notice when people show up in town that don’t belong.”
Pippa tilted her head, her face sad. “This time, I’ll agree to disagree. This isn’t y’all’s fight. And I’m not going to lose this perfect opportunity. With y’all figuring out Boston’s safety, I can focus on myself. Mom and Dad can take care of themselves. Travel. Come here. I don’t know. But this will really work out. I know it. I can deal with the rest on my own now that I don’t have to think about you getting killed in prison, and Boston being killed.”
My stomach sank.
“I’ll figure out Mom and Dad,” I said. “I’ll get them here, and then we’ll help them disappear, too. Gibbons won’t ever find them.”
Pippa nodded. “Okay. Now, it’s time for me to go. If I’m gone too long, he’s going to think I ran, and go after Mom and Dad since they’re still there, oblivious.”
“I’ll drive you back into town,” Black ordered.
Pippa didn’t argue, walking straight out the door and leaving us all there staring at the closed door.
“You’re not going to let her just walk away, are you?” Eddy asked.
“Yeah,” Boston whispered. “She can’t do this on her own.”
“Your dad’s not going anywhere,” Denver said. “He’s going to stay right here, taking care of you two. We have enough shit going on here with your parents, Eddy. However, Apollo, Black, and I will figure out Pippa’s situation.” He looked horrified for a long moment. “Ain’t never seen another person take that much on herself and not break. Your sister? She’s strong.”
I stood up and walked to the door, watching as Pippa started to trudge down the street through the snow.
Black, seeing how fast she’d moved, cursed and headed for the door.
“I’ll take care of her,” he promised.
I looked at Black as he moved down the walk and toward the front of his Sheriff’s Department SUV. He got inside and backed up, then followed behind my sister.