Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
“I can feed myself,” she said haughtily. “I don’t need Billy to do anything.”
The guys all shared a look. Something she didn’t like. She knew coming here had been a stupid idea.
But she missed them.
It felt like she was losing her family and she couldn’t figure out how to stop them growing further apart.
Well, there was one way.
She had to find the courage to leave Billy.
Tell them.
Tell Slade.
But would Billy retaliate? Or would Slade kill him?
Quaid definitely would.
And she didn’t want these guys to get into trouble.
A part of her was also scared to leave Billy. Where would she go? As he liked to point out, she had no job. No savings.
Would the guys even care? It wasn’t like they even contacted her anymore.
They all lived together in the same building in Knightsbridge. She’d been there a lot before moving in with Billy.
Could she stay there? But what if they all had girlfriends now?
Perhaps she could move back in here. The idea made her shudder, but her mum wouldn’t turn her away, right?
“If he’s not taking good enough care of you, we will step in,” Slade told her.
She narrowed her gaze at him. “I can take care of myself. You guys aren’t my keepers.”
“Of course we are,” Quaid drawled. “We have been since you dropped into our lives nine years ago.”
“You were ours before you were his,” Spencer said.
Slade studied her quietly. “Why haven’t we seen you lately? Why haven’t you answered our messages?”
What was he talking about?
“What messages? And I live several hours away from you guys now.”
It had taken her close to two hours to get here today. She’d had to take a train then Uber from the station to here.
Fatigue filled her at the idea of the return trip.
Yeah, she sometimes wondered if Billy had moved them to Birmingham to get her further away from the guys. But that was probably silly.
Right?
“You shouldn’t be living so far from us,” Slade said. “And we’ve sent you lots of messages.”
They had? How odd. Maybe something was wrong with her phone. Had they received her messages?
“You know you’re always welcome to stay with us in London when you want to visit,” Spencer added earnestly. “Come next weekend. Stay. I’ll cook.”
She loved Spencer’s cooking. He liked to make comfort food like pasta and roasts.
“All right,” she said before she could stop herself.
It was a really stupid idea. But this could be just what she needed.
Some time away from Billy.
She’d pack a bag and sneak off while he was at work.
And maybe she just wouldn’t go back.
“Can I come Thursday?” she asked. They’d said next weekend, but Thursday was close enough, right?
“Of course,” Slade replied smoothly. “You know that our home is your home.”
“But you’ll follow the rules while you’re there,” Quaid added coldly.
Indie huffed out a breath. “I’m not one of your subs. I don’t have rules.”
Quaid raised an eyebrow. “You know there are always rules.”
“Quaid,” Spencer protested. “Don’t scare her off before she gets there.”
“The rules are simple,” Quaid said, ignoring Spencer. “Don’t lie to us. Tell us where you are going and when you’ll return if you leave. And you will eat and sleep properly.”
The rules weren’t anything that she wouldn’t normally do.
Well, the sleeping and eating part were going to be an issue. Maybe her tummy would have settled down by then. She couldn’t go if she was still vomiting.
Unlike Billy, they would notice that.
“Fine. But you’re all being very bossy.”
Rock placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze and she glanced up at him. “Well, other than Rock. Right now, he’s my favorite. You all need to try harder.”
Slade just snorted.
Spencer gave her a mock-hurt look. “I thought I was your favorite. I make you laugh. Rock just stands there and never says anything.”
“Exactly,” she replied. “He never tries to tell me what to do.”
“Just wait until he thinks you’re in danger. Then you’ll learn exactly how bossy he can be,” Quaid warned.
Like she would believe that.
“Lunch is ready,” a voice called out from the doorway.
Turning her head, she saw a butler standing there that she’d never met before.
Huh. She wondered what had happened to Arnold, the old one?
Rock helped her up and kept hold of her hand again. She tried not to flush with pleasure.
Keep it together, Indie.
“Where’s Arnold?” she asked Slade as he walked on her other side.
Quaid was in front of her and she turned her head to see Spencer behind her.
This was how they always treated her. They’d surround her in their protection and she’d always felt safe.
God, she needed this. Needed them.
Would it be so bad to let them take care of her for a while?
She’d spent her life trying to become independent.
And look where that got you . . . completely reliant on a man that you cannot trust.
That you do not love.