Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Jameson was right.
It was time to stop the nonsense.
I had to stop letting Brian make me the bad guy so he could keep being the hero in his own story. It was time to stop letting his lies define me. He could only get to me if I let him, so I was done. Absolutely, positively done.
I let out a breath before telling him, “You’re right. It’s stupid that I let myself get this wound up over him in the first place.”
“It’s not stupid. You’re concerned for your kids.” He chuckled as he added, “And you hate confrontation.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Better now?”
“I am, thanks to you.” I couldn’t help but smile as I stood and walked over to him, hugging him tightly. “I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I definitely am. You’re the absolute best.”
I was tempted to tell him how I really felt. I wanted him to know that I was madly, deeply, and unapologetically in love with him, but now wasn’t the time. I wanted to wait for a special moment when I wasn’t a blubbering mess with tear-stained cheeks and messy hair, so I kept those words to myself.
But it didn’t make them any less true.
I loved him twenty years ago, and I loved him now.
And deep down, I knew I always would.
17
CREED
Devin:
You still awake?
Me:
I am.
Devin:
It’s late.
You should be asleep.
Me:
Why you texting me then?
Devin:
Maybe I missed you.
Me:
Maybe I missed you, too.
Devin:
Ah, look at him being all sweet.
Me:
Don’t push it woman.
You’re talking to a man with little sleep over here.
Devin:
Flirt
Me:
Not flirting. Just truth.
Can’t sleep.
This bed’s too damn empty without you in it.
Devin:
Mine feels pretty empty, too.
Me:
We need to rectify that.
Devin:
Won’t be much longer.
Me:
I’m done waiting.
Devin:
Oh, really? And what exactly are you planning to do about it?
My thumb hovered over the keyboard as I stared at her message, smirking like an idiot in the dark. I could lie. I could keep it light and tell her I’ll deal. But we’re past that now. I wanted something more, and I had a feeling she felt the same.
Me:
You’ll see soon enough.
Devin:
Oh?
Me:
I want you in my bed every night, Dev.
Not just on the weekends.
Three blinking dots pop up, disappear, come back again. I can picture her in her bed, biting her lip, debating what to say.
Devin:
You’re serious?
Me:
Dead serious.
Get some sleep, beautiful.
We’ll talk soon.
Devin:
Goodnight, Jameson.
Me:
Night, baby.
I set the phone on the nightstand and stared at the ceiling. I’d meant what I said. My bed felt empty without her. I needed to get a fucking grip. The fact was, she was it for me. Always had been.
And the time had come for me to do something about it.
The next morning, I took my time getting up. Took a shower and made some breakfast, and then, I got busy doing all the shit I’d been putting off. Laundry. The lawn. The dishes. Hell, the place was a mess, and it was almost noon before I got it all done. Once I started the dishwasher, I grabbed my cut and drove over to the Black Crown.
Sergei was still monitoring the situation with his Russian mafia friends, and from what I could gather, there hadn’t been any new revelations. They had interest in the casino. There was no question about that, but as of now, they hadn’t acted on it and there was a possibility they wouldn’t.
We were all hoping for the latter, but we were taking precautions.
Sergei and Viktor had upped the security, and we were doing our best to monitor things on our end. So far, all was well, so I was hoping for a quiet afternoon. I just planned to check in with the boys and make sure their shifts were covered, and then, I was going to head over to the Vault.
I’d barely made it through the front door when Memphis rushed up and said, “Hey, brother. I was just about to call ya. There’s a girl here to see you.”
“Who?”
“No idea,” he said, giving me a shrug. “But she’s in rough shape, man.”
“Alright.” My stomach tightened as I stood. “Where is she?”
“Took her to the staff lounge, got her something to eat and drink.”
“That bad?”
“Yeah.” He grimaced. “That bad.”
I didn’t waste another second.
I pushed through the door and down the hall to the staff lounge area. When I walked in, I found Gabby sitting at one of the tables. She was clutching a soda like it was the only thing keeping her upright. She looked like she hadn’t showered in days, and she had a black eye and a busted lip. Her clothes were disheveled, and she had no shoes on her feet.
Damn it.
I crossed the room and sat down in front of her, trying to keep my voice steady as I said, “Hey, Gabby.”
“Hey,” she answered, looking like she was barely hanging on. “I was looking for you.”
“I know. I’ve been looking for you, too. I was worried about you. I’ve been by your place a couple of times, but I haven’t been able to track you down.”