Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 38978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Targeted, that word conjured up something vile in me, something deadly forceful. The lion would protect the lamb. My first order of business would be to get her better; then, I could focus all my energy on my enemy.
Fuck, if my mind wasn't in turmoil, I pulled my hair so tight as I sat in a chair next to her bed that it was a wonder I didn't tear that shit at the roots. The soft sound of her weeping brought my head up quickly as I rose from the chair.
No, she wasn't awake. She was crying in her fucking sleep again; the thought of her spending all our nights apart like this brought me to my knees, literally. Taking her hand in mine, I tried to give her some of my warmth. Why the fuck hadn't she woken up yet?
"Come on, Suzette, open your eyes." I tried to will that shit. Fuck I had to remember not to call her that she hated when I did, but I'd gotten used to referring to her that way in my head lately. The anger was still there somewhat, but it was a lot more complicated than it had been a day ago.
Put it aside, Maddox, one thing at a time. I could do this; I could put my anger at her away for the time being; that didn't make me a chump. It just made me human, something I hadn't felt like in a long time.
I ran my hand through her hair, her beautiful brown hair that was now lifeless and dull. I would have to ask mom or the girls about seeing to that. Maybe not Connie that bitch was a wild card fuck knows where her head was at.
I was growing impatient, waiting for her to wake up. I know, I know, have a heart, Maddox, but fuck if I didn't have shit to do and a fuck load of questions. James wouldn't be here until sometime later this evening. In the meantime, it would be good to hear her side of what the fuck went on.
I pulled up the web on my cell; for the first time since leaving the cabin, I Googled my life. There wasn't much new except our supposed fight over Rex, speaking of which I should probably get him in here that might help. Apparently, the douches' wife had forgiven him; well, la de fucking da, wonder what she knew?
I'd been fooling myself into thinking I was calmer; I wasn't calm one fuck; the mere sight of that fucker had me ready to chew nails. I think I needed to brush up on my Sun TZU because I'm pretty sure in the art of war, you needed a clear head, and yes, this was motherfucking war.
I just needed to know all the players. As soon as James and his cryptic ass got here, I could start strategizing my attack. I had no doubt that I would destroy him. If it took every penny I owned, I would do it; hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Well, hell didn't even want a motherfucker like me.
I texted Brian to bring the dog, which he did; my boy went right to his mama; I had to help him up on the bed to lie next to her. After he realized she wasn't awake to play, he placed his head on his front paws and stared at her much like I was doing. We were both willing her to wake up.
I felt the stirrings of hunger, but I refused to leave. At some point, maybe noon, mom brought me something, which I left sitting there. Steve and the twins had come by, but nothing was said between us; that day would come, I'm sure, but it wasn't today.
I guess the others had filled them in along with mom and dad because mom when she came in before, had this pinched look on her face that she gets when she's royally pissed. Suzette was hers too, just like the five of us she had claimed her as well.
She was one of us, and someone had fucked with her; if James was right, it was deliberate. The whys were supercilious; the die was already cast everyone who had anything to do with this fuckery was going down. I might not be able to kill them with my bare hands, though Poole was getting an ass-kicking no matter what, but I would definitely hit the motherfuckers where it hurts. Pond-sucking scum motherfuckers.
CHAPTER 20
I was underwater; why am I underwater again? I can't remember; I just somehow knew this was better than the other. Somehow I was breathing quite. Naturally, there was no angst, no fear; it was safe here, safer than out there. Out there where? Panic, no come back, stay under the water, out there was darkness, out there was pain and fear. The water keeps me safe and hidden. My heart is whole again; there's no more tearing, no more bottomless ache. I snuggled deeper into the abyss, at peace at last.