Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Clearly infuriating, judging by the way his mouth curls and his cheekbones redden.
“And you’re fine with that?” he demands.
“Sure. What will hearsay prove?” I lean forward, cocking my head mockingly. “What do you really have on me? An eavesdropping waiter is hardly a smoking gun.”
For a second, he bares his teeth.
Yes, it’s a dangerous game, daring him to destroy me.
But I’m done letting the past control me when it’s cost me so much.
What happened was a tragedy, a cruel mistake, but it’s petrified to ancient history now. It’s not too late to own it on my terms.
It won’t be a slave to anyone but karma.
And it won’t cost me Hattie.
For her, I’ll suffer, even if my reputation goes to tatters.
Somehow, I don’t think it will.
Daley hoped to rattle me into an angry confession right here, served up on a silver platter. I’m sure he’s recording this conversation. He thought he could punch the right buttons and let me hang myself, but he’s going to wind up hog-tied instead.
The bell above the door jingles and I look up, just in time to see Margot storming in, still wearing the same clothes from last night. The elegant bun of her hair looks more like a haystack from what must’ve been a very rough night.
And behind her—Hattie.
My heart stalls.
She’s paler and smaller than the last time I saw her.
Her cheeks have hollowed slightly. Her collarbones stand in sharp relief above her loose pink cotton shirt with the outline of a succulent printed on it. Her hair, pinned up tight, when she normally lets those gold locks flow free.
A bitter growl rises in my throat, knowing she won’t feel as soft if I run my hand down her hip.
I caused that.
I’m the inhuman jackass who did that to her.
And if I don’t stop Cooper here, today, that could only be a prelude to what comes next.
She’s still, without doubt, the most beautiful woman to ever walk into this little café.
Buttery gold wisps of hair fall around her face. She isn’t wearing makeup, but that just highlights her vivid green eyes.
They lock with mine.
Emotions flash between us, lightning fast and incandescent, too quick for me to read them before she shuts them down again.
Then she looks back at Cooper, who turns in his chair with a frown, following my gaze.
“Blackthorn,” he says, “did you—”
Before I can move, she strikes.
Margot picks up the mug of cold coffee in front of me and throws it in his face.
“That’s for your wife, you conniving little shit,” she hisses.
Holy fuck.
“Conniving!” Hattie beams at Margot. “Nice touch.”
“I learned it from you,” Margot says.
Am I dreaming?
I don’t know, but I’m already pushing my chair back and standing to get between them.
What the hell are they doing here? Defending me?
Hattie holds her chin up high as she deliberately avoids looking at me.
Cooper regains his composure, wiping coffee off his face with a napkin as he laughs. Not like before, it comes out high-pitched and angry.
“Is this your big surprise? Having your women fight your battles, Ethan? I should have expected it, I suppose. Without the old man around, someone has to step in.” Scowling, he looks at Margot. “You’re damn lucky the coffee wasn’t hot or you’d be facing prison time.”
“Shame,” she says with a yawn.
“Your brother has enough on his plate, don’t you think? Are you trying to get arrested?”
“No, you prick. It’s a warning.” Margot bristles. “We can play just as dirty as you.”
Cooper looks at her incredulously, stone silent.
“Margot,” Hattie whispers, placing a hand on her arm, gently urging her back.
“I’m sorry she roped you into this, Miss Sage,” he says, smirking. “It must be a terrible fall, a billionaire’s fiancée one week, and a struggling bookseller the next. I can’t imagine.”
“One more word,” I snap.
Cooper looks at me defiantly.
“Say one more word about her and you’ll be shitting your own teeth for a week.” I clench my mug so hard the handle cracks in my hands.
“Ethan, Ethan, always so emotional. So quick to jump to blows.” Cooper sits back down, brushing his coffee-soaked shirt, apparently unbothered by how Margot seems ready to scratch out his eyes. I’m a hair away from pulverizing his jaw and thousands in dental work. “I’d say it’s your time overseas—how many of our servicemen never really reintegrate into civilian life?—but memories run deep in Portland. Everyone remembers what a spoiled, reckless brat you were.”
“Cooper? I have a question.” Hattie’s face flares red as she says his name, but she doesn’t look away as he turns to her. “Do you know Julia Sage?”
“Julia Sage?” Cooper frowns, the question knocking him off-balance.
“Your wife’s yoga teacher when you’re in Portland,” Hattie says brightly. Recognition flickers in Cooper’s eyes. “You’re so into history and rumors, right? Let’s just say there are plenty there.”
I don’t have a clue what she’s getting at.