Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“Good. I was too lenient with you. Now we both know where you stand. I own you and I always will.”
His teeth grind, but he keeps on signing. When he’s finally done, I take the contract back and slip it into my bag. He sits back, rubbing his foot again thoughtfully.
“Would you really cut me off? You’d suffer too, you know.”
“I’d torture you first, but yes, eventually.” He laughs. I don’t smile. “Goodnight, Dickey. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
“Can’t wait.”
I leave him in his office. In the quiet of the hallway, a shadow detaches itself from the wall. I’d be terrified, if that shadow didn’t lean up against me and slip its hand into mine.
“How’d he take it?” Finn asks quietly. He bends down to kiss my neck.
“Like I expected him to. He’s not happy, but he did it.”
“Lucky for him you didn’t have to call me in.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get any fun tonight.” I touch his cheek and kiss him.
He kisses me back, long and slow. We make out a little right there in Dickey Gray’s hallway. Me and my uninvited guest.
There’s a noise and I look over. Dickey’s standing nearby, his face pale as he stares at us. “Uh, hello, Mr. Whelan. I didn’t know you were here.”
Finn grins viciously. “Lucky you.”
We leave together, holding hands. I close the door gently behind me, and I swear I hear Dickey whimpering to himself.
I take my shoes off for the descent. Finn holds them and even offers to carry me. “I’m pregnant, not sick.”
He only laughs at me. On the bottom floor, I slip the shoes back on. We step out into a comfortable New York evening and pause there on the sidewalk. I lean my head against Finn’s shoulder.
My husband’s my everything. I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am now without his help. The unions are cowed, deeply in my pocket and under my thumb, and I’m growing the power base my father once built. New York is ours for the taking, and I couldn’t have done it without him.
We’re a team. I’m the carrot and he’s the stick. I’m the smile and he’s the punch. We work perfectly.
Finn’s hand rests lightly on my belly as he kisses me. I stand on my toes and breathe in his smell.
“Got anyone else we need to threaten tonight?” he asks when we start walking back to the car together.
“I could rustle up a few if you want.”
He seems to seriously consider. “Nah, that’s alright. How about we get you home and put you in the bath. How’s that sound?”
“Like I’m living the dream.”