Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“Yes, we all know how it goes. How emotions suddenly switch on,” my father replies, sticking by my side even though I had every intention of handling the situation myself.
“Is that the case, Miles, or am I misjudging?” His brows rise with suspicion.
“Shall we go talk privately?” I ask. They nod, and we walk off to the side of the parked SUVs and climb inside my father’s SUV, which is extremely protected and soundproof.
“Like I just explained to my father, my feelings are new, but are firm. Unwavering. I want to marry Elsa one day, and I’m not going to let someone else take her away from me.” I make a point of adding that last bit. I might love my godfather, but Elsa has become my number one priority. My loyalty now lies with her even if she doesn’t know it yet.
A quiet tension builds in the vehicle. “So, the dinner served a selfish purpose.” The accusation hits like hard slap in the face; however, I understood how easily that could be misconstrued.
My words need to be chosen wisely, so I swallow and then take a calming breath. “At first, no, but then she burst through your office door, and it was like I saw a whole new person. I won’t deny that I noticed she had changed, but I hadn’t realized my feelings until that moment. Elsa was suddenly becoming a woman had to get to know.”
“Have you gotten to know her?” he growls. Fuck. Clearly, I chose my words poorly.
“God, no. Not like you’re thinking. We barely speak without her wanting to stab me. I’d like to fix our relationship, but I wasn’t sure what to do next. The tension is high in Vegas right now, and you were in the middle of recovering. I didn’t want to add to the stress. Besides, she has dreams that she’s trying to make come true that are more important than my own desires.”
“Damn, you have learned a great deal from us.”
I smirk. “I have tried.”
“Still, your wants should be pretty close to hers,” my father adds.
“I hope one day they are, but we both need time. I have too much going on for me to dedicate all my time to her, so I might as well let her focus on school before convincing her to marry me and have a family.”
“You don’t want her to work?” my godfather asks.
“You don’t want her to work, either,” I remind him.
“No, I don’t, but if she does find a career, I wouldn’t stop her.”
“It’s the same for me, but that’s why I’m giving her time. I want her to be happy. She can do that as long as those assholes stay away from her.”
“Good boy. That’s what I wanted to hear. Now let’s get back before our wives start searching for us.”
We open the doors, and my mother and godmother are waiting outside, shaking their heads and smiling. “We hope you boys are behaving.”
“Always, my love,” my father answers with a mischievous grin.
Now to work on my plan to put the Vegas families in order and win Elsa’s love. I’m not sure which will be harder.
Chapter Four
Elsa
“Hey, honey, are you ready to start your first day back?” It’s six a.m. and I’m about to head out of the house. I start class at seven. I have four classes this semester for a total of seventeen hours.
“Yes and no. It’s going to be a bunch of introductions. Most of the learning starts in the next class.”
“How many classes do you have a week?” my father asks, walking into the kitchen in his gym clothes and covered in sweat, clearly done working out for the day. He’s looking a lot better, and his movements are sturdier. The hip and knee replacements have gone smoothly.
“I was lucky enough to schedule all my classes on Mondays through Wednesdays, but until six. Tuesday is an online class,” I say, smiling and then frowning because it’s going to be an insanely long day.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’re going to be so exhausted.”
“Sure, but it’s not like I’m in class the whole time. I have two breaks. And look who is talking about being exhausted.” I check the time on my phone. “It’s just after six, and you’re covered in sweat. How many miles did you run?”
“I only did two miles and my strength training. I have to keep in shape for my body to recover. Trust me when I say it’s for the best.”
“Still, Dad, I want you to be around forever.”
“I know, sweetheart,” he says, dragging me to his side and pulling me in for a hug. I tug myself away. “Eww, gross. I’m glad I didn’t change yet.” I roll my eyes and grab my protein shake.
“By the way, I know you hate all the security, so I told them to back off today.”