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)
She wasn’t entirely sure what scared her more. The idea of Billy finding her again . . .
Or of trusting these men and having them fail her once more. Reject and hurt her.
Although she knew what her top fear was. And it was the thing she had to focus on now.
Her baby.
The baby might be Billy’s, but he’d never have anything to do with it. This was her baby. And it was innocent of any wrongdoing. So she was going to protect it with everything she had. Slade sat on the side of the bed slowly, leaning forward to cup her cheek.
“I’m so sorry, Boo. I will never forgive myself. But I will do whatever it takes to protect you from now on.”
“I wish I could believe you, but I can’t. I just can’t.”
Stay calm.
She attempted to numb herself as Slade drew closer, hugging her lightly.
The only way she could get through this was if she protected herself.
“I think you better all leave,” she said, glancing out the window. It was getting dark, it would be dinner time soon. “I need to get some rest.”
To her shock, Slade just nodded. “You look exhausted, Boo. Like you could sleep for a week.”
More like a year. But a week would be a good start.
A funny feeling developed in her stomach as they all started to move.
God.
She was being ridiculous.
Indie wanted them to go. Heck, she’d been the one to tell them to go. Yet the fact that they were leaving without even a protest . . . yeah, it upset her.
I don’t want to be alone.
Well, you won’t have to be if you go to Escana.
Sure, Maggie made it sound like her guys would be happy to move here if needed. But that wasn’t fair if they had jobs and lives in Escana.
What was she going to do?
A small whimper left her mouth and immediately she pressed her lips together.
That was freaking embarrassing.
They all froze and turned to look at her.
Shit.
17
What the hell was going on with her?
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Spencer asked.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
They all stared at her for a long moment, then each other. To her surprise, Slade leaned down, moving slowly. And then he brushed his lips over her cheek.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything.” He leaned back to shoot her a stern look. “Anything.”
Was he crazy? She wasn’t going to call him. If she needed anything she’d get it herself.
“Why would you come back tomorrow?”
“To see you, of course,” Slade said. “We can tell you’re exhausted. We don’t want to overwhelm you. But we will be back.”
“There’s no reason to come back,” she told him.
Slade cupped her face with his hand. His tattooed hand. And, God, that was hot. “There’s every reason. We’re not leaving you alone this time, beautiful girl. Understand? We’re here to stay now.”
Beautiful girl?
He’d never called her that before.
And damn if it didn’t send a sharp pang of desire through her, pooling in her stomach like thick, warm hot chocolate.
She wanted more.
Even if she knew it wasn’t good for her.
Indie didn’t nod or reply, knowing that would likely piss him off.
Only he just gave her a small smile and kissed her forehead.
Urgh. He needed to stop touching her. It was infuriating!
And you love it.
Which is why you can’t tell him no.
When had she ever been able to tell Archibald Slade no? God, his first name was so ridiculous. What were his parents thinking?
Quaid moved up next to her bed, taking Slade’s place. She gave him a wary look and he nodded.
As usual he had the ability to read her.
Then how come he couldn’t read you that day? See how confused and sincere you were?
“I get it. I deserve that look. I guess there has always been a part of me waiting for you to betray us. I’ve always been like this. A habit I’ve never really tried to break. It could be time to try. I made a mistake, and I’ll do my best to rectify it. If you think of anything you want from me, any way that you want to punish me, you will tell me.”
Always with the orders.
But then he wouldn’t be Quaid if he wasn’t so commanding. Not that Slade couldn’t be equally as bossy. Just in a different way.
“I don’t want anything.”
“You will. And I will give it to you.” He leaned in to whisper to her. “Even if the thing you want is Billy’s head separated from his body. I’ll give you anything.”
“And if I want yours?”
To her shock, he drew back and his face seemed warmer. “You don’t want that.”
Of course she didn’t. She didn’t even want Billy’s head for this. And it was slightly concerning that that was where Quaid’s mind went. She knew very little about his family other than the fact that his dad was an actual freaking duke.