Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
I’m trying to analyze that thought when a truck comes to a screeching halt in the road in front of my house. Austin puts me behind him, ready to defend me against the unknown when Huddy comes into the light. “Fuck, Austin. You okay?”
Before he can answer, more cars pull into the trailer park, and the last one has red and blue lights flashing on top.
Austin never lets go of me. He talks to the police and his brother with one arm around me. All the neighbors are outside, trying to see what’s going on. The police pick the guys up off the ground and put them both in the back of the squad car. It’s not until they’re gone that exhaustion seems to take over. I’m leaning into Austin as we walk up the steps to my house.
Huddy and Austin seem to have some unspoken words because I hear Huddy say, “I’ll be right here” as he sits on my front porch when Austin leads me inside.
I point my thumb outside. “What’s he going to do? Sit out there all night?”
Austin pulls me to a stop in my living room. He puts his hands on each side of my face. He’s mad. I’ve known him long enough to know that right now, he’s barely containing his anger. “You could have been hurt. Our baby could have been hurt.”
I put my hands up to break the hold he has on me, but he doesn’t budge, so instead I hold on to his arms. “Austin, I couldn’t just stay in here and let them kill you.”
He’s shaking his head. “I don’t care about me. You’re all that matters.”
“You matter to me, and I know you’re mad, but I couldn’t stay in here. I couldn’t just let them hurt you.” I let out a sob and try to keep from crying, but I can’t. “You can be mad at me all you want, but I’m not ever going to just stand by and let people hurt you.”
His eyes widen, and he shakes his head before pulling me against his chest in a tight hug. “I swear, you drive me crazy, woman.”
I try not to let his words hurt me. My arms go around him, and he’s still shirtless. I hold on to him, trying not to squeeze too hard because I know he’s hurt. “Maybe you should go home, Austin. Maybe it’s for the best. Tonight has been crazy, to say the least.”
He nods. “Oh, I’m going home, but I’m taking you with me.”
I gasp and step back from him. “I’m not going with you.”
He laughs. “Ally, I wasn’t asking you. You’re going with me. Those were drug dealers. They were hopped up on something, and we’re not staying here to see what they or their buddies plan to do next.”
I want to argue with him, but I know he’s right. The neighborhood used to be filled with working class families just trying to make a living. In recent years, it’s gone downhill fast. Drugs and prostitution are problems here now. I always try to keep to myself, but I knew the day would come when I would get their attention. Of course the shiny SUV in my driveway drew them in.
There’s a slight twinge in my belly, and the feeling catches me by surprise. Instinctively, my hand goes to my belly, and I feel it again.
“Are you okay, Ally?”
Chapter 10
Austin
When she doesn’t answer me, I cover her hand with my own. “Ally, are you okay? Talk to me.”
She takes in a breath. “Yes, um, I’m fine.”
“Sit.”
When she doesn’t move, I lean over and lift her up in my arms and make my way to the couch. “Sit. I’m going to pack you a bag.”
She shakes her head. “Austin—”
I can’t take it any longer. I lean in and press my lips to hers. I kiss her until we’re both breathless. We’ve never kissed, not like this, and as soon as our lips meet, it’s addicting. I wrap my hand around the back of her head and hold her to me. Her lips open, and I take full advantage by swiping my tongue next to hers. She whimpers, and I pull back, searching her eyes. She’s looking at me curiously, and I know we have a lot to talk about, but now is not the time. I need to get her out of here, but I’m not moving until she understands a few things. We’re both breathless. I cup her cheeks and look into her eyes. “Will you do this for me, please? I need you with me, Ally. Will you please go with me?”
She’s stunned, and she’s blinking at me with her wide eyes. “Okay.”
She barely gets the words out and I kiss her again, just a peck this time, and then I’m off to her bedroom. I grab her clothes out of the closet and sling them over my arm. I go to the front porch and stop next to Huddy. “Can you put these in my car?”