Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Connor Kelly attempts a shrug. His face turns white, and he lets out a growl of agony. “I didn’t need the money, but here she was. I took it as a sign. Can’t ignore a sign like that, not when it falls into your lap so prettily.”
Alejandra asks the question that plays on my mind, “How much am I worth?” I run my thumb over her collarbone, a gentle caress that says I’m here.
Connor blinks tiredly. The loss of blood is starting to weaken him. “Put it this way, love. Someone wants you very, very badly.”
The room becomes solemn at that feebly delivered statement. Aileen takes in her ailing son, and agrees with a nod, “All right, Carter. Braden’s favor for Connor’s life.” She swallows hard, an expression of sympathetic suffering having her look much older than her years. “Now, fix him.”
Alejandra adds then, “You won’t tell a soul we’ve been here.”
Aileen scoffs at her. “I’ve been in this world a lot longer than you, m’dear. I know all the unwritten rules. In fact, I could teach you a thing or two about loyalty.”
But Alejandra doesn’t budge, not intimidated in the slightest. “Then I’ll have your word if you don’t mind.” Before Aileen manages to make her vow, Alejandra inserts, “Just so you know, if you do break your word, it’s not Julius you’ll have to worry about.” Without an ounce of emotion, Ana announces, “I will gun down your entire family, shoot them all dead, if you put mine in danger.”
Aileen watches Alejandra closely, deeming the threat very real. “You would too, wouldn’t you, lassie?” She leans back against the wall and replies tiredly, “You have my word. None of the Kellys will speak a word.” She looks about at her sons with meaning. “Ain’t that right, boys?”
All three mumble at the same time, “Yes, Mam.”
Aida waits patiently, and I signal her with a nod. As she approaches Connor, she utters the very same words she said to Alejandra on the day they met. “I hope you’re a tough one, because I don’t tolerate bullshit. Especially the self-inflicted variety.”
I don’t miss the subtle smile that graces Alejandra’s beautiful face.
They don’t make it back to the house till after dawn. I stand by the kitchen counter sipping at my coffee as though I’d just woken up when they enter, feigning vigilance. Little do they know I haven’t slept at all.
I mentally cringe at the sight of them. Julius leads the way, holding her small hand in his and pulling her tired body along, taking care not to rush her. The delicate flower. She blinks sleepily, her eyes fluttering closed of their own accord.
They move to walk past me as if I’m not even there.
Because to them, I’m not.
When I cough lightly, Julius turns to face me and yawns while pulling Alejandra close, fitting her into his side, where she closes her eyes while wearing an expression of serene calm. “I thought you’d be sleeping.”
It hits me. That’s all I am right now.
A side thought.
The knowledge stuns me.
My, how things have changed. This small woman yields a large amount of power over a man I thought too smart to be treated like he is.
“Hey,” I begin, but he cuts me off.
“Hold on a second,” he mutters, ushering Alejandra off into his bedroom.
Their bedroom, I should say.
Ugh. The thought has my veins sizzling in liquid heat.
He returns looking stressed and tired, seeming half the man he was a fortnight ago. “What’s up?”
I think carefully about what I’m about to say. I don’t want to come off needy. I just want to state facts. Clearing my throat, I kick off. “What happened to us, Julius? You don’t talk to me. You don’t even look at me anymore. Things were good around here until she came along.”
The answer I’m hoping to get never comes. Instead of being told I am an irreplaceable part of this team, his brows furrow in confusion. “What is this? Are you quitting?”
Me, quit?
Does he even know me?
I play to win. Always. “No, I’m not quitting. Just hoping this change isn’t a permanent one is all. I miss the way it used to be.”
My concerns pushed aside, he sits on a stool at the kitchen counter and runs a hand over his face. “I don’t know what’s happening, Ling, and I don’t know if things will ever be the same. But right now, we’ve got more important things to deal with.” He sighs. “Alejandra has a bounty on her head.”
“More important things to deal with” is what he says. More important than me is what he means.
“Right,” I say without feeling. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“We,” he utters and raises his head to rest his weary gaze on me. “What are we going to do about it,” he states. “I can’t do this alone, Ling Ling. I need your help.”