All Chapters of The Moonshine Task Force Series: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

RenegadeI've had a cup of coffee and I could be on my second Monster of the day, but I'll neither confirm or deny that to anyone. I am tired as fuck."You okay over there?" Ace asks as we continue making our rounds through town. We drive back and forth, up and down a grid pattern, before we make our way out of the more populated edges of town. Once we're on what's considered a back road, Ace presses the accelerator, letting us speed up and down the hills, making me grab hold of my oh shit handle as we take a curve faster than we need to."Perfect.""Am I scaring you?" Ace asked, a grin in his voice as he straightens the car out when we hit another straight stretch."I'd like to live to see my child born, if that's what you're asking," I take a healthy drink of the Monster before setting it down again."Figured I'd wake up you. Why are you so tired anyway?" He looks over the console at me, genuine question and concern in his eyes.No way I'm going to tell him what I was d

RenegadeI grip Whitney's hand as we drive silently to the hospital. I don't think I've ever had a more somber ride in my life. If this was under a different set of circumstances, I would make a joke about their mom sitting in the back of the police car. Today though, that joke isn't there. She's quietly crying into a napkin, her phone shaking as she texts her husband updates."Will he meet us there, Mona?" I finally find my voice, still shocked at how raw it sounds.She nods, tears spilling down her face. "He's gettin' someone to drive him. I think he's more shook up than he was letting on when I called him. He'll probably be about thirty minutes behind us, because they were out towards the gulf. Knowin' him though, he'll make them speed and pay for the ticket if they get pulled over."He's gonna be okay, right?" Whitney asks from beside me.I'm not sure who she's asking, not sure any of us truly know the answer to the question. It's a hard one. I saw him, saw how he was gas

WhitneyThere are moments in life you don't expect. I've experienced quite a few in my life. Sleeping with Ryan, finding out that I'm pregnant, thinking Ryan was the officer killed only to find out it was Trevor and he was badly hurt. Most of the time you're unprepared for the emotions and the repercussions these moments bring to you. That's where I am right now. Sitting beside Ryan in the surgical waiting room, holding my breath to see what they say about my brother.In the corner sits my parents. Married almost forty years, and they've never had to sit at the hospital for either of us, or themselves before. In the opposite corner, Blaze sits next to her partner but both of them have vacant eyes as they stare unseeingly at the room of gathered people. Me? I sit here next to Ryan, my heart bursting.In the middle of this impossible situation, whether it be appropriate or not, I need to tell him how much he means to me. For once, I have to let go of the fear, and let the truth fly

WhitneyToday has been a shit day. I couldn't get into my favorite sandals because my feet have swollen so much and even though it's damn December, it's still hot in Alabama. The shirt I wanted to wear didn't cover my stomach, and I have the worst craving I've ever had for sweet tea.I haven't even had a sweet tea since I found out I was pregnant, but today, my mouth waters as I think about drinking one.Checking the clock on my SUV, I see I have thirty minutes before I have to meet my next appointment. If I swing into the Sonic drive-thru, I should still make it in plenty of time. As I pull into their parking lot, I go around the building to take my place in line, instead of blocking traffic by pulling sideways into the drive-thru. That's a pet peeve of mine, and I always make sure not to do it.I text the bride I'm meeting, letting her know I'll be there in a few minutes, and then watch as an older gentleman in a Range Rover pulls into the drive, blocking traffic just like I

Whitney"Should we put Santa gifts out for her?" I whisper as I reach over to lie Stella down in her crib.Ryan gives me a look, motioning us out of the nursery. When we close the door partway and walk down the hallway, he turns to me. "Whit, she's ten days old. She's not going to even wonder when she gets older if we did anything for her first Christmas.""Logically I know that, but what if when she's older, she asks for pictures?""Then she'll have them of all of us with her at her grandparents' opening gifts. Babe, don't overthink this. Let's just go to the living room, make sure everything is turned off, and sleep while she does. You know as well as I do she'll be up in a few hours and we'll be dragging ass tomorrow."He's right. We're still trying to get on a schedule and it's been harder than I imagined it would be. "Sounds like a great plan to me."I almost don't want to go any further down the hall than our bedroom. There's a part of me that wants to ask Ryan to mak