Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
I look down at the hand he’s holding out—in this room, with the men who work under him, who need to see him as this strong, formidable figure all the time—and he’s holding his hand out, waiting for me. Did the way he reacted with Torin just now bother me? Yes, but not because I’m afraid of him. Because I don’t want him to fight the people he loves for me. Because I don’t want to be helpless to him. But Rian is in it. He has been from the start. He let me live when he shouldn’t have. He’s crossed his best friend for me.
Finan and Torin are risking their lives for me tonight.
They’re risking more eyes on them because they love Rian, and Rian loves me.
And there’s nothing I wouldn’t risk for him as well.
We have a lot to figure out, and some boundaries to set, but… “I’m in.” I take his hand and see the relief wash over his face.
“Fuck yes. That’s what we want to hear,” Finan says.
“You’re a dumbass.” Torin wraps an arm around his shoulder and says, “Think I might have to file a workers’ comp case for that shit.”
Rian threads his fingers through mine. “Denied, you bastard.”
They all laugh as the four of us walk out of the house…Rian and his family, a family I’m now a part of too.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Rian
Torin drives us to the restaurant—Abbott and me in the back, while Finan is in another car behind us. It’s probably overkill. Abbott had been on his own at his house, going about his business every day, and no one had gone after him since the first time at the hospital, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
Honestly, the fact that no one has gone after him again makes me more nervous. Whoever is pulling the strings isn’t stupid. They’d sent a group of idiots after him the first time, but I don’t think they would make the same mistake again. If they come for him, they will be more calculated…more organized, and that’s what scares me.
Why?
“You’re being quiet,” Abbott says, sitting across from me at the table. We’re at one of the most high-end restaurants in Boston—one where I should have needed a reservation to get in, but it’s amazing the things they can make happen for an O’Shea.
There are men here tonight who are connected, businessmen that I’ve worked with before, people who know my name, notice me with a man, and the statement I’m making.
He’s mine.
I don’t care what you think.
Threaten him and threaten me. That’s the biggest message I want those around me to take away from seeing me with him.
“Sorry. Just thinking. You have my full attention now.”
“That’s all I really want.”
Fuuuuck. This man. He’s going to get me hard right here in the middle of the restaurant. Hearing him say shit like that goes two places—straight to my dick and to that organ in my chest that had been sleeping before he came into my life.
“Mr. O’Shea,” I hear and immediately stiffen, but I don’t let my hand move to my gun. Torin is in the corner watching as I look up to see the owner of the restaurant. “I just want to thank you for coming in. It’s neutral ground here and—”
“Torin goes nowhere,” I say. Finan is outside watching too.
“Yes, sir. That’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you know we take our position in the community seriously, and we’re so glad you could be here with us tonight.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. This is my partner, Doctor Abbott. Where I’m accepted, he is good.”
“Yes, sir. Of course,” he says to me before giving his attention to Abbott. “It’s nice to meet you, Doctor Abbott.”
Abbott’s gaze is shooting back and forth between Truman and me, like he’s not sure what’s happening. “Um…it’s nice to meet you, as well.”
They shake, and a moment later, Truman walks away, Abbott’s brows raised at me. “Does this kind of thing always happen?”
“Yes. It’s a sign of respect, that they want to stay on our good side.”
“Neutral ground?” he asks next.
“There are places in the city that are considered safe—that rivals won’t hit. Technically, we shouldn’t need Torin and Fin here tonight, but I wasn’t taking any chances with you.”
He opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again. “Thank you, Rian.”
Reaching over, I cup his face. “I’ll always protect you, pretty thing.”
His flush makes me want to bend him over the table and fuck him right here, but I’m good and don’t.
We have a really nice dinner together. I don’t hide who Abbott is to me. A lot of important people come to Truman’s, so I don’t hold back any looks or touches, making sure the staff and anyone else here tonight knows that Abbott is mine…and if you come after him, you’re coming after me, and we all know who will come out on top.