Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
She sighs, but she relaxes a little. “Thanks for doing this, Beth.”
“Gave me something to do,” she says carefully.
My gaze moves over to Skull. There’s some dried blood on his nose. His face is a little swelled. He won’t bruise much, but I bet he’s feeling the pain from my blow and that will be enough for now, I guess. I pour a cup of coffee and take a sip. It’s not how I usually drink it, but I’m not taking the time to worry about it. My focus right now is solely on protecting my woman.
“You’ve claimed my daughter,” Skull says, breaking the quiet.
“We’ve claimed each other.”
“When did this start?” he asks.
“Before either of us truly grasped it had,” I answer, giving him the God’s honest truth. “Although, that doesn’t matter. What does is that I’m the type of man who will not let you hurt her with your actions and words any longer. You need to get that in your head or the hit I delivered earlier, won’t be the last you get from me.”
Before he can say anything else, there’s a knock on the door. “Fuck me. When did our place become Grand Central Station?” I ask the ceiling as I look up at it.
“It’s probably Diesel and Crusher, sweetheart. Dani mentioned they were going to come over to try to talk you into staying,” Gabby says.
“That’s not happening. We’re going to Denver. This morning proves that’s the right decision,” I grumble. I go to the door, intent on getting rid of our company, but instead, I open it to find Gabby’s brother there. Fucking A, I’m stuck in the family reunion from hell.
“Carlos!” Gabby cries—this time with full joy. She slides off the stool and comes to us and Carlos smiles huge, taking his sister into his arms. It’s fucked up and totally wrong, but I do not like seeing another man holding my woman—even if it is her damn brother. As soon as Gabby pulls back to look at Carlos, I wrap my hand around her and pull her to my side.
“King! I’m hugging my brother.”
“I know. I don’t like it.”
“What?”
“He’s your brother, but he’s also a man. You can hug him quickly, but you come back to me.”
I know I’m not making any sense, but I don’t give a damn. Gabby’s eyes look like they might pop out of her head. “He’s my brother, King.”
“And you are mine, Gabby. All of you. Just like I’m all yours, remember?”
“I do remember our conversation. I also know that if Kayden was here and you were hugging her, I would not care.”
Her words make sense. I know they do, but I also don’t give a damn. I look down at her, seeing her eyes fired up and her hands on her hips, her stomach stretched in the maternity top she’s wearing and I let out a beleaguered sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“You’re just going to have to suck it up, Sunshine.”
“Excuse me?”
“That’s just how much I feel for you, baby,” I repeat the words from earlier.
“Quit being sweet and insane at the same time,” she mutters, but she does it right before she goes up on the tips of her toes and kisses me.
“Christ. You hooked up with my sister?” Carlos asks.
“No, I claimed her as mine.”
Carlos looks back at us and then, shrugs. “Breakfast. Thank fuck. I’m starved,” he says, kissing Gabby’s cheek and then plowing right into the kitchen.
“Come on in,” I mutter sarcastically, making Gabby laugh.
“I think he just did, King.”
“Yeah, I got that,” I huff. “Let’s get you off your feet.”
“I’m not fine China, honey.”
“No, you’re much more precious,” I counter, kissing her lips quickly, before escorting her back to her stool.
“Damn, Papi. What happened to your nose?” Carlos asks, while stuffing a piece of toast and apple butter into his mouth.
“He insulted Gabby,” I answer before Skull can.
“You hit him?” Carlos asks, looking shocked.
“You got a problem with that?” I question. Gabby actually likes her brother and as far as I’ve heard, he’s not been a dick to her. I’d hate to have to lay him out, too. But I will.
“Nah. He’s been a fucking dick. Someone has been needing to for a while.”
“Carlos, stop with the cursing,” Beth admonishes.
“Maw, it’s the truth. He’s been a fucking dick.”
“I have,” Skull says, looking at Carlos, his gaze skittering over me, but landing on Gabby. “I’ve been a colossal polla,” he mutters. I don’t speak Spanish, but from the look on his face, I figure he’s agreeing he’s a dick.
“Papi,” Gabby whispers in a way that I’ve never heard her voice before. There’s some pain in it, some love, but an overwhelming sadness, too. As beautiful as she sounds, it’s not a tone I want to hear her use ever again.
“I’m sorry, Gabriella. I’m sorry for so many things. Especially, what I said earlier in your bedroom. I had no right.”