Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“He part of Salvation’s Bane?”
My laugh sounded bitter even to my own ears. “No. If he was, things would have been different. Donovan would have seen to it.”
“You want the guy back?” Though his question sounded harsh, I thought there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. I had to really think about this one.
Cyrus was a conundrum. I’d heard my brother say more than once the man didn’t get other people’s emotions. That he had a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome or something. I didn’t understand it all, but the basic gist was that he didn’t always understand other people’s emotions and how he might affect them. Also, he had trouble figuring out his own emotions. He didn’t like change and he liked things strictly regimented. So far I hadn’t seen much of those traits, but he did seem to be hyper-focused on me for some reason. It was definitely something I needed to look into if I intended on letting him into my life.
“No. Not even a little, Cyrus.”
He relaxed, but his facial expression didn’t change. “Good. ‘Cause it ain’t happening. Not even if you want it.”
“But you said whatever I wanted you’d make happen.”
“Don’t twist my words, girl. That was with regard to the baby. This is something I absolutely will not budge on. He had his chance. You’re gonna tell me what happened, but no matter what, he couldn’t keep you. Now it’s my turn.”
“I can’t pretend a relationship with you isn’t something I want, so I’m not even going to try.”
“Good. We’ll settle that with Sting when we’re done here.”
“You do realize we’ve just met. I mean, in any meaningful way. Last time I remember hanging upside down while you lectured me all the way to my brother’s office. While I got a great view of your ass, the conversation wasn’t very meaningful.”
“Yeah? Tell me why you came to Evansville instead of taking your problem to your brother for help with it?”
I swallowed. Yeah. He had me there. “Look. I admit it’s a bit childish, but you made an impression on me.” I couldn’t believe I was about to say this. Even admitting it to myself was embarrassing. It sounded like a schoolgirl crush even to myself. “I guess I fixated on you. I had no intention of seeking you out, but when I got in my car and started driving, this is where I ended up. I never would have bothered you with my fucked-up life.”
“So? I found you. Now that I have, what did you hope would happen?”
“In reality? Nothing.”
“Ain’t talkin’ about reality, lil’ bit. When you thought about findin’ me, what did you want to happen?”
I closed my eyes and took a breath. “I wanted you to take over. To tell me what to do and how to fix everything.” I knew I sounded weak and helpless, but it was the truth. And for some stupid reason, I wanted to give this man the truth. No matter how much it embarrassed me.
“OK. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I shook my head. “I can’t let you. This is my mess.”
“And I’m making it mine. You didn’t ask me. I volunteered.”
“You’ve asked me all kinds of questions. Now I want to ask you one.” He opened his mouth, probably to tell me I had to wait until I’d answered all of his, but I refused to go on until I had my answer. “Why, Cyrus? Why would you volunteer to take all this on?”
“Because you need help.”
“You can turn me over to my brother. He’ll help me.”
“No, Odette!” His anger was palpable. Quick and hot. He didn’t like that idea one bit. Curious. “You’re not getting help from your brother unless he’s a resource we use. I’m gonna be the one to take care of you.”
“By all accounts, you don’t play nice with others. You don’t like people in your space, and you like a strictly regimented existence. Just so you know, I’m a chaotic mess. Literally. My place used to look like a whirlwind went through it. Drove Steve crazy.”
“Steve the man who got you pregnant?”
I winced. Yeah. Hadn’t meant to give that away. “If I say no, will you forget you ever heard that name?”
“Nothing wrong with my memory, honey. Last name.”
“Why?”
“Look. If you’re going to keep the baby, he’s going to sign away his rights so I can claim the child. Also, I’m not going to have you constantly worrying he’ll figure it out and try to come after you for money or some shit by threatening to take the baby away. I’ll find it out one way or another. Wylde will be upset if he finds out you could have told him everything up front and he had to go digging anyway.”
“Fine. Steve Gleeson’s his name. He’s fifteen years older than me, and I had no clue he was married. He said he was widowed.”