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Chapter 279: Sneaking Around the Trees
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 280: Don't Freak Out
"What?" I jump off the couch, startling Hush, who barks once. When you call a family member from the hospital, the first thing out of your mouth should be, "I'm in the hospital." How bad is his injury that he would not tell me?"Don't freak out like I know you will. It was a minor accident and I'll be fine.""Do you promise?" My brother and my idea of fine are greatly different. Dalton has always been too macho for his own good. In his opinion, he's fine as long as he's still breathing. He can lack three of his limbs. I want fine to mean he's healthy and will come home looking the same as he did the last time I saw him."Stella, I need to call Mom and Dad, but don't worry. I'll be home soon and you can take care of me." What? How injured is he that he'll need me to take care of him? And how will he handle it when he finds out I'm practically living with Crispin?I laugh nervously into the phone and give my brother a quick goodbye. There's less than four minutes to sit on the co
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 281: Where's Your Brother?
"Elizabeth?" I question, not trusting the face I see as she steps into the room, her features lit by the moonlight with a knife raised close to her head. What would my one-time best friend be doing in my house with a knife? Is Ben with her? Have the two of them come together to get Hush, and if so, why don't they just take her and run? What the hell is happening?"Where's your brother?" she asks, taking a swipe at Hush again when she comes at her for another bite."Iraq. What are you doing?""Word on the street is he's back. Taken a bullet to the gut. I came to finish the job.""For my brother?" I try seeing around her body to look for a way out, but she blocks the door to the room."That way I can take everything from you, Stella.""From Ben?"I can't make out her features, but I swear Elizabeth rolls her eyes at my question as if the answer should be obvious. "Perfect little Stella. Always had the guy, got the good grades. You know what it was like being your friend and
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 282: Mistakes were Made
The problem at this point isn't admitting I messed up — that's obvious — but now I face the consequences of my rash actions after my brother's phone call. When I needed him, Crispin saved my life. Multiple times. Elizabeth came wielding a knife and Crispin was still here to save me, but I can't bring myself to apologize. What can I say to make up for the biggest mistake of my life since becoming a true adult? There aren't words enough to express how much I regret everything.I can't go to the grocery store and find a card for the situation. Although it is Pelican Bay, and if these things happen as often as they led me to believe, maybe they have a special selection.I've spent the last day gorging myself on fake ice cream and not walking Hush any farther than the backyard, and I still haven't come up with an answer.Harley is the only person who has visited, but she has work to do and I can't expect her to always be around when I have a crisis in my life. I've been so full of the
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 283: Pearl's Advice
If that was the worst of her suggestions, I can handle it. I deserve to grovel. Hell, I'll make a whole crow pie if it means I can get back together with Crispin. "How?"Pearl was quiet for a moment. "Oh damn," she said. "I can't think on an empty stomach."Her eyes lower, looking at the cookies, and I hurry to pop off the lid and pass them across the table to her. I'd even sacrifice Anessa's chocolate chip cookies if it helps her come up with a way for me to win Crispin back. No sacrifice is too great.She pushes the container away. "No, no, this won't do. Can you heat them up a bit?""You want your cookies warm?"Pearl smirks as if in a private joke with herself. "Now is not the time to question my methods, Stella.""Right." I grab the cookies and make my way for the microwave. Pearl's been giving advice to young hearts for decades. It's not my place to question how she wants to do it now. I am only happy she would at all."Does he like your dog?""Who, Crispin?"Pe
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 284 Figuratively Speaking
Once inside Crispin turns and looks me in the eyes without speaking, a quick reminder this is my show and I still haven't eaten crow. Figuratively, of course."I'm sorry." My hands get nervous. I don't know what to do with them and I knock one on the table hurting my knuckle. But I do my best to keep my face calm so Crispin doesn't notice. They raise and lower in the air as I speak, becoming hazards to anyone who dares get close. "I freaked out because I've never been on a stakeout before or kidnapped or even seen a gun in actual life. This stuff doesn't happen to people," I pause picturing all the times Katy wasn't the least bit nervous. "Okay, this stuff doesn't happen to me." People in this town have their own issues.Nice normal people are gun shy, but as I've learned over the last two days of being alone, what good is normal if your friends are weird?"So you don't think the town is cursed?" Crispin asks with a straight face.My hands start again. "Oh no, it is, but it's g
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 285: Eat the Cookie
"NO, you have to eat the extra cookie," Tabitha says, placing the second on my plate after I turn it away.The bakery is bright, letting the setting sun through all the windows, and the smell of fresh-baked chocolate temps me further. "Why do I have to eat more cookies?""To make up for the fact you didn't eat here for days. It's been almost a week.""Don't argue with her logic," Katy says, turning the page in the magazine while she sits at the table across from me reading. "Tabitha can out-logic anyone. She wears you down eventually."I guess in that case I don't want to offend anyone, so I pop a bite of cookie in my mouth enjoying delicious gooey goodness.It's crazy how much can change in a matter of a few days. Hush and I are back at Crispin's house and we worked hard all day after our reunion to remove evidence of Hush having even stepped foot inside my brother's home. He would never know his canine niece had spent almost a week there.Not just my issues with Crispin h
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 286: Not Now Ben
Katy shushes me as if I've yelled my own name, and I turn, shock coloring my emotions, as Ben stands on the sidewalk next to his car parked in the middle of the street. Oh, shit.He's wearing a pair of black pants and a suit jacket, looking like he made the lengthy drive up here after leaving work. I turn back, trying to ignore him and hoping with the adrenaline I'm hallucinating. It could be a heart attack. I swear I once read an article that said ex-boyfriend hallucinations were a sign of something.My attempt to ignore him does no good. "I see you!" he yells, walking closer to my bush where I refuse to stand up and blow our cover. "I drove all the way here from New York and you will talk to me."He has to be kidding me. What about this situation looks normal? Like I want to sit down and have a chat? I turn, yelling "shh" at him and put my finger to my lips, trying to warn him to shut the hell up, but he keeps walking closer.I wave with my hand hoping he'll see it and get th
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 287: Where are All These People Getting Guns?
A gunshot. I scream, but neither Katy nor I fall. Ben, behind us and now awake, screams like a small child as I whip around, checking him and expecting to see blood pouring from the wound. But he's fine, still huddled on the cushions. I run my hands up and down my arms looking for a wound I can't feel or see because of adrenaline, but there's none.Katy does the same and we both stand, jumping back as the man who seconds earlier planned to kill us tumbles to the ground. His gun lands inches from his hand on the floor beside us.An old man I've never seen before, wearing green plastic pants, walks out from the doorway leading to the bottom of the boat. His complete body shakes and holds his gun pointed high at the man at the wheel telling him to turn off the boat."You ladies all right?" he asks, not taking his eyes from the driver, who walks toward him leaving us next to a dead man by ourselves.He reaches the wheel and shuts the motor off, walking his captor down to our level.
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Pelican Bay Security Chapter 324: From Elliot
ElliotFive years later"No, sweetie, we only get one puppy today." I squat getting on the same level as my daughter, Brandise.The round ball of fluff she squeezes onto with all her might so he doesn't run away licks her across the face and she giggles. "Daddy, they're twins just me and Bray. They have to stay together."My eyes flick back and forth between each dog. One held in the tight grip of Brandise and the other being sized up by my son. Their mother, Harley, a woman who took too long for me to figure she meant everything stands between the two of them with her lips pinched together not helping me in this situation. She's left me out in the cold on my own.The two puppy siblings look alike, but in my eyes every Yorkie looks the same. How can you tell them apart? The puppies my babies held both had a lighter colored face than Rocky, but other than that they were big puffballs of fur."Sweetie, Rocky only needs one brother," I try again hoping to talk sense into her.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: No Listening to Reason
Elliot's steps are slow but sure as I hold open the bakery door to let him get through the space. Once he's cleared the way, I stand beside him in case he needs me for support as he makes his way to the first table in the busy sitting section. You wouldn't expect a shoulder injury to cause issues walking, but with each movement his body makes, his shoulder sways with the force and his face grimaces.It's too soon for him to be up and moving, but I couldn't make him listen to reason.He finds his seat and plops in it heavily, the chair legs scraping on the tile. The people around us stop what they're doing and turn before a small round of applause starts from behind the bakery counter and then picks up including people from every space in the bakery. Elliot turns to the noise, catching everyone in their adoration, and scowls until the clapping fades."Cupcakes for everyone," Anessa says smiling from her spot at the counter. "Especially for our new hero."Elliot's scowl deepens.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 323: Eligible Bachelors
Dominick releases a breath and sucks in another one as if preparing himself for this new life. "Are you positive? Because there are very eligible bachelors in my club. A brother could keep you safe."I don't argue with him that Elliot kept me safe. Well at least until he got shot, and no one can blame a man for that. He literally stuck his body in between me and a loaded weapon. How much more could he have done?Plus I could never live life in the club again. Now after experiencing life on my own. "Yeah, and then they'd cheat on me or go to prison."Dominick shakes his head. "My men aren't that way. They love hard and deep. I changed the club here, Harley. It's different from how we grew up in Colorado."There's honesty in his words, but it will never be enough to bring me back. "Elliot is mine."Dom shakes his head once, admitting defeat. "Fine. Onto topic two. I met your father," he says father accusatorily like I've been keeping something from him.Which, in a way, I hav
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: Three Bullets to the Chest
Without warning there's another harsh pop in the air like someone shooting off a firecracker, and then red blossoms in the middle of Pete's forehead. His body falls back hitting the ground once again. The thud is too far away to hear, but I swear my body feels the vibration.Holy fuck.My ears ring from the gunfire as men pool around us each of them yelling things back and forth. It's coordinated chaos. An ambulance with its lights flashing speeds over the highway."That man took three bullets to the chest," Huxley mutters to himself shaking his head. "I haven't seen anything that crazy since Thailand."... The steady beat of Elliot's hospital machines lulls me into a restless sleep as my head rests on Elliot's hand."Harley," a deep voice whispers in my ear, shaking my shoulder. "Har."In a start my head pops up and my eyes search Elliot's face, but his hand still rests underneath my head, a pool of my drool sticking between his fingers."Still drool, huh? I wouldn't
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 321: Nobody to Save Me
"Dominick won't pay anything for me," I lie.Pete laughs. "Don't want money. I'm looking to trade you for a free get-out-of-town card. If he won't offer me his protection, you'll be a going away gift to my men. They're upset with having to leave. I'm sure you understand.""What?" Fear causes me to choke out the word as a hundred images flash through my brain of what he could mean, but only one is sick and depraved enough for this man.He smirks. "They'll love you if the Impaler doesn't."I fall to my knees against the back of his seat. "No, please don't." I'd rather he shoot me now than do what his smile promises. He means I'm to be a sexual gift given to his men and passed between them. I'd never survive. Sure, Dom trained me in basic self-defense skills, but my mother sheltered me from club life so I only heard the evils of the world through others. Until now, I never once felt concern for my safety. Not the way I do now.The cargo van travels on the highway, passing a bill
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 320: Nothing Drastic
"Stand up, Fucker."Elliot scoots away from me as I claw deftly on his leg trying to hold on and keep him close. He turns, not making any sudden movements and puts his body in front of mine to shield me once again from the nasties of life."Let's not do anything drastic, Pete." Elliot takes a step forward with his hand held out defensively.I twist seeing the old man wearing a pair of board shorts, a blue Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, and flip-flops on his feet standing in the middle of the beach. He resembles a tourist who belongs in Florida not a man running a drug ring in Pelican Bay. He sneers at me taking the tension from Elliot for just a moment and waving the gun in his direction as if either of us could forget it's there."She's the only one who can name me. Without her I can pick up shop and start somewhere fresh and there's nothing you can do about it. You guys don't have shit on me.""You're standing in the middle of a public beach during the day, Pete," Elliot t
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 319: Stagnant Words
He flinches as of my question has hurt him, but I'm the child who didn't have a father. "I got out early for good behavior and I looked up your mother. I learned what happened. Sorry about your loss," he says. The words are stagnant as if he knows what he's supposed to say but struggles with the meaning. Yet, something in the inflection makes me believe he means each one. His eyes turn soft, possibly remembering his time with my mother.My life has never been cupcakes and cookies, but the last month has been indescribable except for the word surreal. First, I had no father, then I picked up a club president for a stepdad, lost him, and now gained back the original. What is happening to my life?"What will happen now?"My father shakes his head and stares at me with a touch of a smile tweaking his lips. "I'm out of the club life. Plan to take the straight and narrow from here on out."I hold back the cringe at his promise. It's one I've heard from club brothers my entire life. E
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 318: She Deserves Better
Elliot shakes his head, his fingers curving around the handle of his gun. His face pinches together as if he has so much to say, but is staying silent for me.Until he doesn't anymore."Would someone mind telling me what the fuck is going on?"He's not the only one looking for answers. "Me too. Mom said you died in a motorcycle crash. Drove your bike over a mountain ledge one night." She hadn't said he'd been drinking, but I've filled in the blanks for myself as I aged.My father's teeth come together hard making a gnashing sound I hear even from my position. "Yeah well. She thought it would be better than the true story. Easier for both of you to move on rather than wait around on me living only a half-life.""Then what is the true story?" After my mom left Dominick's dad, it was the three of us together. I always believed we never hid any secrets from one another.My father shakes his head and stares at me but looks past me as if he's reliving the memories himself. "She s
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 317: Escape Plans
My gaze and thoughts flip to the back door, but I'm too far away to reach it before he could shoot me.The man is younger than Pete and not the person I saw put a bullet in someone earlier this month, but he's old enough to be my father. His skin is leathered and wrinkled as if he's spent a lifetime in the sun. His jeans are loose and a leather jacket lacking any MC cut is wrapped around his body. Not a Bloodhound.I stand next to the kitchen island breathing heavily while trying to come up with an escape plan as the two of us stare at one another unmoving.He speaks first. "Now, Harley, is this any way to greet the old man who named you?"His words scatter in my brain, startling me into paying attention, all my plans of escape lost. "Excuse me? My father named me."It was one of the few stories I had of the man who shared such a brief relationship with my mother. "He wanted to pay homage to the best...""Damn motorcycle company the US has ever seen," he finishes my sentenc
