Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
I remember this castle from when I was a little boy. We would come here to spend time with Grandda Black. He’s the one who taught us what a real grandda should be.
Oland O’Brien sure as shit never showed us an ounce of love. The old bastard tried to crush us one by one. As I look around at the smiling faces of my family, I’m grateful to Brooklyn for making sure the old bastard couldn’t hurt us ever again.
“Uncle Dylan,” Dae-Dae sings as he and his little brother run over to me.
Landon keeps up as best he can on his little legs. I bend to scoop little Landon up. Felix couldn’t deny this little guy if he tried.
He has a bit of his mother here and there, but this one is definitely a Black through and through. I ruffle his curly hair and give him a smile.
“What are you two up to?” I ask.
“I wanted to come check to see if we’re still on for this summer. Landon will be coming this time. It’s going to be so much fun,” Dae-Dae says excitedly.
“As far as I know, we’re all good. I can’t wait for you guys to get in. I have a few brand-new video games I plan to kick your butt in.”
Dae-Dae’s eyes light up and he laughs. “We’ll see about that. I can’t wait, Uncle Dylan. I’ll be counting down the days.”
“I will too, little buddy.”
Someone calls Dae-Dae’s name, causing him to turn and look across the room. I smile when I see Jordan, Brodie, and Shauna waving their cousin over. My niece has gotten so big.
I remember the first time I held Shauna in my arms. I was so angry with my grandfather for trying to take her life, along with her mother’s. As I place Landon on his feet and he runs over to Felix, I smile at how much my family has grown.
I tune into the music playing and my smile grows. For the last thirty minutes, it’s like they’ve been playing a soundtrack for my life. This time, Ed Sheeran’s “Dive” plays as couples sway on the dance floor.
This one hits home. I glance around until I find the little woman who owns my heart. I find her dancing with my da, a broad smile on her face.
She’s as beautiful as ever. I can’t help imagining what our wedding day would be like. I would have this ballroom customized to her dream wedding just as Ryan has done for Carmen.
A super big fuck you to my piece-of-shit grandda. I smirk at the thought of him rolling in his grave. All he did to keep us apart and we’d stand right here in a Scottish castle—me married to my little Black Irish girl.
I can’t wait until that day comes. I’m a lucky man to have found her. I don’t know if I would change a thing. All we’ve been through has made us stronger.
I would fight to the death for that woman. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. I have proven that more than once.
“Look at ya. Looking like a puppy in love,” Brooklyn croons as he walks up beside me and pats me on the back.
I snort. “You would know exactly what that looks like.”
“Aye, ya say that like it’s a bad thing,” Logan says from my other side.
I shrug at my brothers. We’ve all fought too hard for our happiness to deny it. That’s why I was torn when I helped Uncle Ronan’s wife take off on him.
I hope he’ll forgive me. If it weren’t for him and his wife, I don’t know where I would be. I owe her as much as I owe him.
“Stop worrying. He’s going to forgive us. We’ve all told a lie or two to get where we are,” Logan says.
I glance around the room. With all we’ve been through, it’s a miracle to have all these smiling faces in a room together. The truth has been bent and twisted for the greater good.
We may not all be family by blood, but we’ve earned our bond and it’s thicker than any blood connection could ever be. To be honest, I didn’t think the three of us would be as close as we are now. The truth nearly tore us all apart.
“Aye, he will. Ya need to be focused on what ya plan to do next,” Cole says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I don’t know if it’s the right time.”
“We’ve done all this for ya to be able to do as ya please. It’s our turn. We all deserve happiness,” Cole replies.
“Answer me this. Is she truly the one?” Logan asks.
“The one and only.”
“Ach, then ya should go through with yer plan. We get one life and each second is precious.”
I turn to look Logan in his eyes. The words hit harder coming from him. I know all he’s been through. He had to earn his happiness through a world of pain.