Series: Sean Moriarty
Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“Of course not. Is he okay? Did you take him to the doctor?”
I hand Abel over. “Yes, he has an ear infection. He should be fine in a couple of days, but I’d rather not drag him around with me if I can avoid it.”
“Hello, sweet boy,” Sonya coos at Abel before she nods at me.
Shifting from foot to foot, I say, “I’ll be quick.”
“Take all the time you need. We’re about to have breakfast.”
Waving goodbye to Abel, I force myself to walk slow until Sonya shuts her door. Then I take off running.
I haul ass, nearly killing myself, until I reach the corner store three streets over.
I’m still huffing and puffing, trying to catch my breath, when I slap the card down for a prepaid phone in front of the bored cashier.
The stupid thing takes all of my twenties but I have no choice at this point.
“What?” Uncle Mickey barks when the call finally connects.
“It’s me,” I exhale, pacing in front of the corner store.
“Eden?” he asks with surprise. “What the fuck?”
“I need out, Mickey. I need the money now,” I rush out. “Jude’s crazy! He’s trying to kidnap us!”
“He must not be doing a good job if you’re calling me,” Mickey grumbles in irritation.
He’s lucky I can’t reach through the phone and strangle him.
“This is serious. He took my phone and my wallet. He plans to move Abel and me into his house. The only reason I’m talking to you now is because he got called into work.”
“I see,” Mickey says a bit more seriously, and my shoulders slump with relief.
“So you’ll help me?”
He chuckles and a wave of dread washes over me.
Fearing he’s going to leave me hanging out to dry, I don’t expect him to say, “It’s already taken care of.”
“What?” I straighten. “What do you mean?”
“You know I can’t go into details over the phone, but you don’t have to worry about him anymore, Eden.”
“Why don’t I have to worry?” I demand, still not understanding.
Mickey lets out a heavy sigh. “Fuck, girl. I already said I can’t go into details. You know what I’m talking about.”
“You mean… the job…” I say, trying to figure out how to ask without outright asking.
“Yes,” Mickey confirms. “Your part is done.”
I should feel relieved.
But my stomach clenches and bile rises in my throat. “So, that’s it?”
Jude is dead?
Or soon-to-be dead?
“Yes, and the client is pleased. I’ve set up an account for you and you should expect the funds in three to five business days. Once everything is… confirmed.”
My head begins to spin, and I have to lean against the corner store’s dirty wall.
The ramifications of what’s been done, what I’ve caused, slowly sinking in.
“You’ve done good, girl,” Mickey rumbles in approval. “Your father would be proud.”
Then why do I feel so fucking terrible?
Why do I feel like I’ve made a huge fucking mistake?
“What now?” I ask.
Not sure if I’m asking myself, Mickey, or the universe.
I wanted away from Jude. Protection.
But not this…
“You sit tight at home for a couple of days. Once the transfer has gone through, we’ll meet.”
I nod, a strange sort of tingling numbness coming over me.
“You still there?” Mickey asks after a few moments. “Did ya hear me?”
I take a shaky breath. “Yes.”
“Good. Get some rest,” Mickey orders then disconnects.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head back.
Waiting for the world to stop spinning.
I knew what I signed up for. Fuck, I forced myself into it.
Forced myself to do things I would never normally do for Abel.
For his future.
So why does it feel like I’ve done something without fully thinking through the ramifications like a stupid child?
Someone asks, “Hey girl… how you doin’?”
I open my eyes to see a man dressed in flannel, jeans, and work boots covered in dry dirt sauntering up and leering at me.
He props his elbow against the wall beside me and smiles. “How much?”
I frown at him and jerk away. “I’m not for sale.”
“Really?” he says skeptically and looks me up and down.
I glance down to see I’m still wearing what I was wearing last night.
A skin-tight almost translucent white dress.
“Really,” I mumble and start walking back to the complex.
“Damn,” the man says with disappointment.
Thankfully he doesn’t try to follow me, but I feel his eyes burning into my backside until I turn the corner.
The walk back home goes by in a blur. My head and heart at war.
With Jude out of the picture, there’s no need to rush.
He won’t be coming back to grab us.
I’ll never have to see him again.
For once in my life, everything has worked out in my favor.
Even if it strangely feels like I’ve fucked up somehow.
I point myself towards Sonya’s to grab Abel then change my mind.
I’ve only been gone twenty minutes, max, and she said she was going to feed him breakfast.
Deciding a few more minutes won’t hurt, I head home first.