AllFreeNovel
Share Us
King
There was a skip in Bailey’s step as she raced over to him and it made his heart skip a beat. Tears clung to her lashes but she looked as though she was relieved.
“My mother is going to the hospital. She’s going to get care.” She handed King back his phone and sighed with great relief.
“That’s incredible.” His eyes went wide with disbelief. “How did you pull that off. She was so adamant.”
“I called my father and let her hear how terrible he is for herself. He doesn’t care about her or what happens. This is all about him. I could have told her that until I was blue in the face, but she needed to hear him say it.”
King pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “I’m so happy for you. How can I help? What do you need?”
“I have to—” She looked down at her shoes. “I’m worried if I don’t go with her, she’ll change her mind or panic.”
“Of course. Go. I’ll call Carmen and see if she can arrange the fastest transportation possible. Helicopter maybe.”
“What about you?” She asked, drawing in her lower lip and looking up at her. “The people who decided to stay. I can’t leave them here. James could be coming any time.”
“You’re going.” He planted her hands on her shoulders. “I’ve got things handled here.” It was a lie but one he was determined to make sound convincing. They weren’t out of time yet, but her mother nearly was. That had to take priority. “Can you do me one favor though?”
“Of course,” she answered, without hesitation. The ice was thawing between them. The frost bite damage already done. But it felt as though there was hope.
“Can you convince Mrs. Tully you need her to go with you?” He shot Bailey a knowing look of his underlying meaning. “It’s not that I don’t think she could hold her own here. I’m sure she could.”
“I’m on it,” Bailey said, squeezing his arm as though their secret pact was safe with her. “She’ll be a good comfort to my mother too. But are you sure—”
“Go,” King ordered firmly. “You’re doing the right thing.”
As if he’d personally lifted a boulder off her back she met his gaze, looking lighter and free. She lifted to her tip toes and kissed his cheek. “We should talk when I get back.”
“I’ll be here.” He gripped her hand for another beat and reluctantly let her go. “Good luck.”
“Luck might not be enough. Let’s try for a miracle.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
King
Arnoldo lingered by Mrs. Tully long enough to be conspicuous. King smirked catching Bailey’s eye as they both made a mental note of this brewing connection.
When Bailey and her mother were safely away in the ambulance with Mrs. Tully in the front passenger seat Arnoldo walked back over toward King.
“I’ve got good news,” he began but King cut him off.
“Mrs. Tully accepted your wedding proposal?” King couldn’t help himself.
“Don’t start that,” Arnoldo barked, furrowing his thick overgrown brows. “You want to hear what I’ve got to say or you want to get knocked on your ass?”
“I’ll take any good news I can get at this point.” King folded his arms across his chest and held his breath for something that might help. Moe walked up looking anxious but staying silent.
“That guy you mentioned, he’s going to be the key to all this.”
“Who?” Moe asked, his breath catching in his throat. “What guy?”
“Buck Sandveesa,” Arnoldo explained. “The guy you said they were all worried about screwing things up. That got me thinking.”
Moe shook his head. I can assure you Buck Sandveesa is not the key to anything. The only thing you can rely on him for is to blow something up or wreck a car. He’s was a nightmare when he lived here in Cinderhill and if he’s put there using the drugs, they’re making it’ll be ten times worse.”
Arnoldo nodded his agreement. “That’s what I was banking on. A guy like that has a paper trail even when he’s trying to live off the grid. I had someone check him out for me.”
