Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
This time? I’m not letting anyone get in the way.
“For a guy intent on trying to destroy this hotel, you sure can’t seem to stay away.” Henry peels himself from the wall he was leaning against and stalks forward. “Do you have any idea the PR nightmare you’ve caused me? What it’s going to cost to make this go away?”
I don’t have the bandwidth to dance around words with this guy. “Sloane’s pregnant.”
That slows him in his tracks. “It’s yours?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“Do you want a matching black eye?” My fists clench.
“Can we take a break?” Abbi offers an apologetic smile to Joel.
“I need to use the toilet anyway.” He sets his camera down and ducks out.
Margo follows him. Thankfully. I don’t need an audience for this.
“It’s his.” Abbi collects a silk robe from a nearby chair and slips it on, covering herself up.
Henry’s surprised gaze shoots to his wife. “How long have you known?”
“I figured it out at dinner on Tuesday.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“Why would I?” Her tone is sharp, and the look she tosses is disapproving.
He sighs heavily, taking a swig of his scotch as he wanders over to the window to look out on the water. “Okay. And?” There’s a clear what do you want from me? ring to the word.
I had no plans to face off against him again today. Not until I listened to Sloane explain the reasons why she wants to keep this baby, followed closely by the reasons she thinks she can’t—all stemming from Henry fucking Wolf.
I grit my teeth and mentally prepare myself to do the one thing I never pictured myself doing. “Look, I didn’t ask for this job, or the car, or the house. You’re one of the richest bastards out there, and I’ve never asked you for a dime. I could have, after that day in the mine.”
Henry’s jaw grows taut.
“I’ve never asked you for anything, but I am asking you now: stop pursuing this project. Leave Sloane and her home and her businesses alone. That is all I’ll ever ask from you. Let her live her life the way she wants to.”
“You think it’s that easy? You think I can just flip a switch and end things?”
“You can make anything happen if you want to.”
A strangled sound escapes his throat. “I told you to stay away from her. I fucking told you that getting involved with her would be a bad thing.”
“For who? You? Because as far as I’m concerned, she is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She’s everything I’ve always wanted, and now she’s pregnant, and she wants to have it, but she thinks she can’t because of you! Because she can’t be a good mother and fight you to save what’s hers, what’s been in her family for fifty years.” Maybe I shouldn’t be sharing this, but I’m scraping the barrel here, searching for some shred of humanity in this guy.
“Then I guess she shouldn’t have it.”
Abbi’s sharp inhale cuts into the room, her palms smoothing over her pregnant belly as a horrified look morphs her pretty face. “Henry.”
“No, this is not on me!” He holds up a finger. “I warned him.”
“Yeah, you did, and I didn’t listen. I fell for her hard, and now I will do anything for her. So what do you want me to do, Henry? Beg? Do you want me to get down on my knees and beg?” I drop down to the hardwood floor and hold my arms out wide.
“You look ridiculous,” he growls.
But I ignore him. “Here I am, on my knees, begging the great and powerful Henry Wolf to back off.”
“We’re done here.” He storms out.
“You owe me!” I roar after him, his rushed footfalls a hollow echo in the suite. A moment later, the door slams shut, and the silence that follows is deafening.
I sink back on my haunches. Let those words haunt him while he sleeps.
“Valiant effort,” Abbi says softly, sympathy painted across her face.
“Worth a shot.” I haul myself to my feet, my spirits heavy. “I better go find Connor so we can get to the house and pack up before he changes the locks.”
“He wouldn’t do that.”
My laughter is bitter. “No offense, but if you believe that, then you don’t know who you’re married to.”
Her brow furrows, but she doesn’t answer.
“If you need me, I’ll be at the commune next door.” I stroll toward the bedroom door.
“She’s definitely the one, huh?” Abbi calls out. “The one who saved Ronan Lyle from himself?”
I smile. “Yeah, Red. She’s the one.”
28. Sloane
Connor trots down the steps of Palmy Daze, wearing swim trunks, his brawny chest on display.
“It’s not a four-story beach house, but it’s okay, right?”
“You kidding? Bed, shitter, TV, AC, beach.” He marks each one off on a finger. “And I can literally stumble to work every morning. It’s perfect.”