Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“How does an hour from now sound? I’ll meet ye here.”
“We’ll be here,” her mother chirps.
Dean
My face is on fire as we walk into our suite, my mom continuing to gush over Ronan and that kiss. I was so taken off guard by seeing him I had forgotten all about my mom and where we were. Not to mention that kiss was hot, passionate, and possessive.
I’ve missed him too, but damn. My panties definitely need to be changed. He looked so good in his suit with his tie hanging loose.
I wanted to drag him back to my room so we could finish what he started. Hearing him tell my mother he’s my man did something to me. He’s told me that he’s my man before, but it’s the way he said it to my mom, with so much confidence and a hint of something new I can’t put my finger on.
I had been in shock over the entire situation, but still, I can’t deny my belly filled with butterflies and was doing all kinds of cartwheels and somersaults.
“What I don’t get is why you wouldn’t tell me about him. He looks like he’s in love with you and here I’ve never heard his name before.”
“You only have an hour for that nap,” I sing as I flop down on the couch and cover my face with my hands.
Instead of heading into her bedroom to take said nap, she comes to sit next to me and places her hand on my knee. I look at her through my fingers and groan. Can’t she give me a moment to process what’s going on?
“What’s really going on, Danika? Is it because he’s white? You do know I was joking.
“You have to have a sense of humor and thick skin around us. If he couldn’t take that joke, he’s not going to last around me,” she says gently.
“No, Mom, I doubt that offended him at all. I’ve heard his family say worse to him. They are a comical bunch and love to tease. Trust me, he has thick skin.”
She pops me upside the back of my head. I stare back at her with wide eyes in disbelief. She frowns and folds her arms across her chest.
“What the heck was that for?”
“You have met his family, but I knew nothing about him,” she hisses.
“He’s Kaye’s fiancé’s uncle. I met him in Ireland while I was there. I only met his family because they were around during my stay and at Felix’s brother’s wedding.” I pout.
She pops me again, this time in the arm with the back of her hand. I ball my fists and bite my lip to keep from allowing my reflexes to take over. Her features darken as she glares at me. I swear, she looks so much like her brother in this moment.
“Don’t be looking like your ass gonna buck at me. I’ll slap the taste out your mouth. Ireland?
“You left here for Ireland almost a year and a half ago. How long have you been dating that man?”
“About eight months now. We weren’t serious while I was there. We only went out on a few dates here and there.”
“I’ve been going on and on about you being single. Why not tell me about him? You look so happy next to him. I don’t understand. Frankly, I’m hurt.”
“Mommy, I’m sorry. It’s not about you at all. I’ve been in denial about how I feel about him myself.
“I … I don’t want him to leave. If he’s real, then the clock begins ticking. It’s only a matter of time before he’s gone if I admit I care about him.”
“This is my fault. Freddie told me things would end up like this. I thought I was protecting you at first.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your father didn’t leave us. Not the way I said he did. I was young and scared. Your father and uncle lived a dangerous life. Freddie promised he’d always protect you and nothing like what happened to your father would ever happen again.
“Before Dayton and Marlow, your father was my brother’s right hand. It was Percy, Darius, and Freddie. Then came Dayton and after him Marlow.
“Dayton and your father bumped heads because of me. Your father just didn’t like Marlow. One night, your father went to take care of some business with the two of them. Freddie was supposed to go too, but he received a call and had to turn back.
“Your father never made it home that night and Freddie never got a clear answer about what happened. All he knew was that it changed Dayton and the relationship between him and those two was never the same.
“It was too late to dissolve their business ties. They were in too deep and could lose it all if they parted. They were stronger together. Percy has always stayed out of it.