Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
"We'll take up the rear right behind the box truck," Harley tells her. "Just file in right in front of us. They'll have to check your car at the gate."
"Sounds good," she says before walking to her car.
I walk across the yard, looking over my shoulder at the house one last time before climbing into my SUV. Jinx and Grinch left with the vehicles carrying the women, and Recon stayed outside to keep an eye on the vehicles while we loaded everything up.
The drive back to the clubhouse is filled with anticipation. I know things are going to be crazy for the rest of the day. I know the women will have access to the kitchen and such, but I don't know how the schedule is going to work.
We weren't asked to pack our things and move into one of the spare rooms in another member's house, which suggests the women are okay with being in the clubhouse with us still there, but I do know we'll have to keep some distance. We'll be updated if anything changes or someone doesn't feel safe with us there.
The gates open when we're spotted, and as we did after the park incident yesterday, we drive right through, only Victoria and the SUV driven by Harley stopping for inspection.
I'm antsy to see Juliet, which motivates me to move faster.
I have no idea if she feels the same way. If she gets a little excited at the idea of running into me, or if thoughts of me fill her mind like she does mine.
I know even thinking about her is dangerous.
It makes me want and wish for things I can never have.
The woman will never be in my arms.
She'll never fall asleep with her head on my chest, her breathing matching mine.
But I can live in the fantasy for a while until she's safe and moves on with her life.
Chapter 40
Juliet
I felt like such a coward this morning, waiting until I heard the conference room door open and all of Cerberus leave before coming out of my room.
I had no real reason to hide other than feeling more than a little vulnerable to be the reason that all of this is happening in the first place.
Five women and two kids are having their lives uprooted, just so I can be safe, and although I doubt there was much hesitation in making the decision, I still feel like it's just too much to ask of so many people to benefit one person.
They've already been through so much, and I don't see how this isn't going to set back the progress they've made.
I'm grateful they won't know it's because of me, but it won't stop the guilt I feel.
I'm in the living room, sitting on the sofa and watching outside when I spot the first SUV coming toward the clubhouse.
I stand, looking around because I'm unsure of what I should do with myself.
But I draw in a deep breath, turning on the part of me that works for this organization, and treat it no differently than I would if I wasn't the reason all of this was happening.
I open the door, waiting on the porch for them to file out of the vehicles.
The men stay behind the wheel, letting Emmalyn, Misty, and Beth direct the traffic.
"We're going to go inside, and straight ahead is a big, giant room," Emmalyn explains to them all before turning to Dana. "Beth is going to take the kids to the room so the adults can go over logistics."
Dana nods, looking a little relieved when she looks up at me.
"Juliet!" Dean says as he runs up the front steps. "I felt like I was a part of a SWAT team!"
"That makes you a crime fighter," I tell him with a wide smile.
He puffs his little chest out just as his arms lift a few inches from his body, and he walks into the clubhouse behind Beth like he just gained forty pounds of muscle in his arms and legs.
"Kids," Daisy says as she approaches, shaking her head and rolling her eyes like she's grown.
"Good morning, Daisy," I say, not playing into her need for me to agree.
"You look different," she says, pausing in front of me.
"Do I?" I ask, resisting the urge to lift my hands to my face.
I slept so well last night, I woke up feeling like a brand-new woman.
That was until the guilt began to seep back into my mind.
"Daisy," Dana says, a mild hint of irritation in her tone. "Go with Beth."
Daisy rolls her eyes once again, but she listens, walking away without argument.
Dana notices, her eyebrows lifting. "Huh?"
"Huh indeed," I agree. "Conference room is just straight ahead when you get inside."
Dana heads into the house, with Kayla very close behind.
"Is it safe here?" she asks.
"Yes," I tell her honestly.