Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
She shook her head. “The two of you are nuts.”
But he could see that some of the tension had left her as they headed toward his family. He could see how they might be intimidating, especially since she was an only child.
However, none of his family would ever harm her. Plus, she was friends with Laken and Shaw.
Laken immediately started to waddle toward her, arms outstretched. Of course, she couldn’t hug her very easily with her huge belly between them.
“Urgh! I’m a whale,” Laken said when she drew away from Arabella.
“Laken,” Duncan said warningly. “Do we have to have a chat?”
Laken screwed up her nose.
“You can just say it, Duncan,” Shaw called out. “We all know a ‘chat’ is code for spanking.”
“Shaw Jones!” Laken said growing bright red. “Don’t say that in front of our new friend.”
Shaw walked over looking far better than he had in weeks. And the tension in Kellan started to drain. For the first time he really thought that his brother was going to be all right.
Thank God.
Shaw just chuckled as he hugged Arabella. Then he slid his arm around her waist.
Kellan didn’t care how close they were. That was a step too far.
“Mine.” He drew Arabella to his other side, away from Shaw who gaped at him in surprise.
All of his brothers were staring now and silent.
“Actually, she’s ours,” Eli said.
Kellan nodded. Good point. “Ours. Not yours.”
“Kellan, he was just hugging me,” Arabella said quietly, resting one hand on his chest. “Everyone knows I belong to you and Eli.”
Turning his gaze to her, he realized he was acting like an idiot. He’d never had someone he considered his. That he’d wanted this much.
“Fuck. Sorry.”
She smiled up at him. She really did have a beautiful smile.
“That’s all right.”
“Come on, come meet everyone and have a cocktail that Shaw made,” Laken said. “I’m only allowed mocktails, but they’re still good.”
“Oh, I don’t really drink,” she said.
“You don’t?” Laken asked. “That’s cool you can drink mocktails with me.”
“I remember you ordered an orange juice that time we met. Do you not like the taste of alcohol?” Shaw asked.
“Oh, well, my father drunk heavily so it never really appealed. Although the idea of a cocktail does sound nice. Maybe I could have one. I don’t want to drink and make a fool of myself.”
Kellan didn’t like the way she said that. “You could never make a fool of yourself.” He cupped her chin and tilted her head back so she was staring up at him. “Drink as much or as little as you like, Butterfly. I’ll take care of you.”
His girl was drunk.
Eli had to grin as she giggled at something Joe said. She, Laken, Shaw, and Joe were huddled up together, talking about something.
She leaned her head back and roared with laughter before snorting.
Damn.
That was so cute. And totally uninhibited. When they’d arrived, she’d had her mask up. She’d been stiff. Careful with what she said and did. But now she was relaxed.
And snorting.
Adorable.
“You two have it bad, don’t you?”
He glanced over at Wyatt who had spoken. All of his brothers were grinning at him and Kellan.
Kellan, who still had his gaze on their girl and was ignoring everyone.
“You’re staring at her like she’s every Christmas present you could ever imagine wanting,” Remington said with a touch of longing.
“That’s because she is,” Kellan said suddenly. “If someone told me years ago that the payment for the shitty childhood I had was her . . . I’d have lived through that time with a smile on my face.”
Now everyone was gaping at Kellan. “What?” he asked, turning to stare back at them.
“I wish you hadn’t gone through so much with our father,” Duncan said with a frown.
“You took on his anger to protect us,” Remington said quietly. “I’ve never forgotten that.”
Kellan glanced at them all uncomfortably. “He always hated me most.”
“Yeah, but you shouldn’t have suffered the way you did. It was wrong,” Wyatt said. “I’ve always regretted not doing something more.”
“You had left home,” Kellan pointed out. “You didn’t know how bad it had gotten and I was fine.”
“He nearly killed you once,” Duncan said, looking ill.
“It doesn’t matter now.” Kellan shifted his gaze back to Arabella.
“I’m glad you have her,” Carson told him. “She’s gorgeous.”
Kellan glared at him. “She’s mine.”
“Ours,” Eli said mildly.
Kellan just nodded. “Ours.”
“I don’t want her.” Carson held up his hands. “Wyatt and I are headed to Costa Rica tomorrow.”
“Keep in contact,” Duncan ordered
“We will,” Wyatt said. “What are the three of you going to do? Will she move to Houston with you?”
“Actually, we found a house to buy,” Eli said.
“In Houston?” Duncan asked.
“No, here in Haven. We’re moving back,” Kellan said. “Arabella’s next-door-neighbor is selling and offered us the house first.”
They all gaped at him.
“You’re moving to Haven?” Duncan asked.
“Are you sure?” Wyatt asked.