Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“He’s not a kid.”
“Yeah, but you’re treating him like one if you’re going to take Sheila’s deal simply to keep him safe. I thought you believed he could handle this shit.”
“I do. He can.” Soren clenched his teeth and growled. “I just…what if something happens to him? After Harry…”
“I’m sorry about Harry, but that wasn’t your fault. I hate to say it, but bad shit happens in our line of work. The difference is that Alexei ain’t Harry. With the way you talk and those two uncles of his.” Charlie paused and softly whistled. “Ain’t nobody getting the drop on him.”
A ghost of a smile slipped across Soren’s lips. Charlie was right. Alexei had an edge that few people had, and his man would seriously fuck up anyone who dared to come at him.
“And have you considered how he’d feel if something happened to you if you went to this exchange with Sheila alone? You gonna tell me you don’t think a sniper won’t be waiting for you? The second she confirms she’s got what she wants”—Charlie made a gun with his hand and pressed the tip of his finger to Soren’s temple—“one in the skull as you’re walking away.”
“Maybe,” Soren mumbled.
Charlie dropped his hand into his lap and sighed. “It comes down to whether you truly believe in his skills or not. Simple as that. You’re not worrying about anyone else. You’re only trying to protect him.”
“Because I fucking love him,” Soren snarled.
The sofa shook as Charlie softly chuckled. “Yeah, I know. And you’re so goddamn adorable and flustered right now. I wish the rest of the team could see you.”
Soren shoved Charlie hard in the shoulder, but the asshole barely moved. Like a fucking boulder. “What the fuck do I do?”
“You’ve got two choices. You take Sheila’s offer and destroy what you’ve been building with this hot, funny guy who makes you happy. Or you do our plan, and you take a chance that shit goes wrong.”
But that was life, wasn’t it? Taking risks and praying that everything worked out for the best. He usually loved risks. The riskier the job, the better. Chance of getting caught? Shot? Blown up? Sure, bring it on.
Chance of losing Alexei? No. Absolutely not.
That was wrong, though. He had no right to take those decisions out of Alexei’s hands. Especially as much as Soren respected and adored him. He was strong, talented, and smart. He could handle what was happening.
“You come to your senses?” Charlie asked with laughter in his voice.
“Yeah,” Soren groaned, rubbing his sore head again. “I hate it, but he deserves to have a say if I’m making my decisions based on his safety. I’ll tell everyone about the call in a few hours when they get up in case we decide we want to go with the offer.”
“I can almost guarantee that’s going to be a big, fat no.”
Soren pushed to his feet and shrugged. “True, but we might be able to use Sheila if she thinks I’m going to make the deal.”
“Go cuddle your boy.”
With a wave, Soren quietly hurried to the bed he was sharing with Alexei. He slid between the sheets and wrapped his larger body around Alexei, snuggling as close as he possibly could.
“You finally pull your head out of your ass?” Alexei mumbled in a voice that was far too clear for someone who was supposed to have been sleeping.
“No one fucking sleeps in this house,” Soren whispered into Alexei’s soft hair.
His sexy man wiggled his ass, pressing it into Soren’s groin. “I sleep better when you’re in the bed keeping me warm.”
Humming, Soren hugged Alexei tighter to him, burying his face in Alexei’s neck. “I’m here now. Everything is good. Charlie straightened me out.”
Alexei made a soft, choking noise. “Hopefully he didn’t straighten you out too much.”
“Nope, never that.”
The smaller frame in his arms relaxed, and his breathing evened out as the silence stretched between them. Soren closed his eyes, preparing to follow Alexei into sleep when he spoke again.
“So, you love me, huh?”
Soren tensed and there was no question Alexei felt it; he was wrapped around the man like a boa constrictor. His mouth went dry, and all thoughts of sleep fled his mind as his heart sped up.
“It’s okay. I am pretty lovable,” Alexei continued when Soren didn’t speak, but there was a new underlying tension in his voice like a hidden rubber band was being stretched dangerously tight.
“Does it bother you? I know this wasn’t supposed to be anything serious.”
Alexei suddenly shifted in his arms, forcing Soren to loosen his hold so he could roll over to face him. “Say it.”
His lips parted to ask “What?” but his brain luckily caught up, his heart racing for a new reason. “I love you, Angel.”
A low noise rippled from Alexei like a purr, and he stretched along Soren, pressing their lips together. “Mmm…that’s nice. Again.”