Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Just like it stated on the fucking pamphlet.
Nox had slipped in the door and found an empty seat in the back row at the last minute.
Like he had for the past three weeks, he’d sit on his bike out in the parking lot and watch the time. He’d wait until only two minutes were left before the weekly meeting started, then he’d head inside to avoid getting caught up in any conversation beforehand.
He also ducked out immediately afterward to steer clear of the same.
No coffee, no donuts, no chit chat.
He came, did his required time and split.
He wasn’t there to make friends.
He wasn’t there to socialize.
He wasn’t there to compare scars to see whose ran the deepest.
He was only doing what was necessary to keep his job, stay on the task force and make his BAMC brothers happy.
And, more importantly, keep them off his ass.
“Since this is my last meeting here, I will miss you all and I truly appreciate the support you’ve given me as the host of this group these last three years.” The older woman sniffled, and tears filled her eyes.
Nox ground his teeth. He had no tolerance for this emotional bullshit.
“Once I found my dream retirement home in a state without snow…” Bonnie chuckled at that and so did everyone else. Everyone except Nox. “I began to search for the perfect replacement. Someone who’s experienced what we have and would understand what we’ve dealt with. It wasn’t an easy search, but I finally found her. We can’t be any luckier to have her step in to take my place since this will be my last night. She ran a similar group for years in Pittsburgh until life got too hectic for her to keep up. We all know what that’s like, right? Now, she’s ready to get back to it. Without further ado, I want to introduce Aaliyah James.”
Clapping ensued as a woman rose from the front row and stepped up to the dais.
Nox blinked. The new host was nothing like the old one.
Bonnie’s head was full of short gray hair. Glasses covered her light blue eyes. Her loose jowls shook when she spoke. Her skin was pale, and her hands were full of age spots. She wore clothes that had been tucked in her closet since the early 2000s and her feet were encased in tan orthopedic shoes.
This Aaliyah James did not check any of those same boxes.
Nox inspected her from head to high heels as she stood tall next to Bonnie. Her black hair, just shy of shoulder length, was full of curls and not neat like Bonnie’s gray helmet after she got it freshly set at the hairdressers. It was sort of wild and loose, like the wind had styled it. It fit her face perfectly.
The style of her hair was as current as her clothes. A bright red button-down blouse emphasized her curves and the deep dark tone of her glowing, flawless skin.
Black dress pants fit her long legs well and red heels encased her feet. Gold hoops hung from both ears, a thin gold chain, with possibly a pendant, disappeared into her cleavage, and several gold bracelets circled one wrist.
As for rings, from what he could see, one circled her right thumb. He couldn’t see her left hand to check out her ring finger.
Her makeup was perfectly done to highlight her cheekbones, her eyeshadow emphasized the deep brown of her eyes, and her full lips were bright red to match her blouse and painted fingernails.
She was a lot younger than Bonnie, too. But Nox had a hard time guessing her age. Even though he didn’t see any wrinkles at the corners of her dark eyes, they reflected a lot of life experience and maturity.
She was definitely not in her twenties.
This woman had been through some things. Nox could guess an obvious one.
She had lost a loved one, whether it be spouse, partner or family member.
Either she was a member of law enforcement or her loved one had been. Nox assumed he’d find out soon enough, once the woman introduced herself.
Did he even fucking care what the woman’s story was?
No. She was just another talking head standing at the lectern once a week to guide the group. She was there to coax them to “share.” To encourage them to empathize with the others. To coordinate who brought snacks and coffee the following week.
To strongly suggest they return week after week.
Like he had a damn choice.
“Thank you for the very warm welcome. As Bonnie stated, I used to head a group in Pittsburgh and…”
He was caught off-guard when her voice, with a tone reminding him of warm honey, wrapped around him. Almost like a hug.
He hadn’t had one of those since the last time he saw Valee Girl.
Decker’s daughter always squeezed him tight. He wasn’t sure if the big man told her to do that or she did it on her own because she sensed he needed it.