Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
I was actually reaching for the slightly smaller man when Remy's fingers closed around mine. "What are you doing here, Dante?" he asked. "You're supposed to be on your honeymoon."
Dante's grin slipped. "Supposed to being the operative words."
"Did something happen?" Remy asked.
"Yeah," Dante responded. "These two ass—" Dante paused as he looked at Violet and then continued with, "ass-trological idiots decided to have another one of their be-all and end-all fights." He cast a glance at Vaughn who was standing behind him. My brother was still expressionless.
"The husband and I were enjoying all the comforts our room had to offer when I get a call from my little brother who explains to me in tears that the man he plans to spend the rest of his life with has had a terrible fight with his brother. This one," he jerked his finger at Vaughn, "tells me everything is fine and not to worry myself about it."
I practically rolled my eyes at the insinuation that a fight between Vaughn and myself had forced Dante and his new husband to cut their honeymoon short.
"Sounds like you guys were just looking for an excuse," I said.
Dante eyed me. "Yeah, Ronan said you wouldn't get it."
I had no clue what he was talking about, but before I could question him, Dante continued with, "If it wasn't bad enough to learn that my baby brother felt responsible for the big guy here and hotshot not making up and playing nice, then I have to go and learn that you hired a bunch of idiots playing bodyguard to protect our Remy and his little sweetheart."
By that point, Violet had calmed considerably and seemed fascinated with Dante. When he reached out to tweak her chin as he spoke, she actually smiled.
"That's one area MawMaw and I agree on," Vaughn inserted. Dante's expression stiffened at the strange nickname, but all he did was shoot my brother an annoyed glance.
"As of this moment, you’re under the protection of Remy's family," Dante explained. "When he's wised up and decided to get away from your ass-trological backside, then you can go back to hiring the mercenary wannabes."
I opened my mouth to argue the point, but then realized it was pointless. As much as I wanted to kick Dante's ass for his little demonstration, he was right. If this had been a real attack, Remy and Violet would've been in serious danger. That just wasn't an option.
"Fine," I snapped. "But you guys answer to me."
I cut Dante off before he could respond because I was just fucking done. "Get something straight here, MawMaw," I cut in. "You and your little family might have gotten the drop on us in New York, but I guarantee you, that's not going to ever happen again. Ronan may think that money can't buy the best protection, but it sure as hell will buy me a lot of bodies to put between us and you." I stepped closer to him and lowered my voice so only he and Vaughn would be able to hear me. "And the next time you put those two in danger, my fondness for your brother won't make a bit of difference."
Remy still had a hold of my hand, and that was the only thing that kept me from fisting it hard like my left one. I wanted nothing more than to slam it into Dante's face, but as pissed as I was, I knew he’d done me a favor by showing me how completely worthless my hired help had been. I hadn't liked how he’d gone about it, but it was all about Remy and Violet. "Follow us back to the hotel," I bit out. "I'll give you your orders there."
Dante grinned again, and I knew it wasn't a fake smile. He was truly enjoying the byplay between us.
As I turned to leave, Dante said, "Aw, does that mean we’re not going to be besties? What about you and your brother? Are you two going to kiss and make up?"
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to fuck off, but then I remembered that little ears were listening. I kept my mouth shut as Remy and I returned to the SUV. I was about to take Violet from him so he could get into the car first and then put her in her seat, but he surprised me when he pulled me aside so we were out of earshot of Terrence and Stan.
"We're fine, Luca," Remy said softly, and then he gave my fingers a little squeeze. His gorgeous eyes were full of understanding as they held mine. "We’re fine," he repeated.
I pulled in the breath I hadn’t really known how badly I needed and nodded. The fact that he knew that most of my anger was really just my adrenaline crashing as my mind tried to make sense of the fact that the young man and little girl were no longer in danger was a reminder of how fucked up things were between me and Remy.