Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
He acts wounded. “You quit your job to avoid me.”
I shrug. “Felt like a career change. I’ve recently come into a lot of money. So it appears I don’t need yours any more,” I say as I lift the glass to my lips.
His smile quirks. “I know you’ve thought about that day since I left your apartment, and I know you want to do it again.”
I hate that he’s right, but I don’t admit it. “Why? So you can do your disappearing act again? You’re getting good at that,” I spit venomously. Spiteful in how my body wants to reach out and touch him. I knew it would be hard to see him again but fuck me, this is toxic. I can’t breathe around him because I want to fuck him.
“I’m not good for you. But also, it’s fucking evident I can’t contain myself around you either.”
Interesting. But it doesn’t mean he won’t leave me high and dry again.
“What would you like to do to fix this?” he asks.
I don’t even want to ask what “this” is.
“Go away,” I reply, stepping around him. I walk straight over to where my sister is and feel him follow. I honestly didn’t think he would, considering she may very well kill him.
“Rya, Crue,” he greets, sliding in beside me.
Rya looks at me before she smiles politely at Dawson.
“Good to see you, Dawson. I hear you’ve been keeping busy,” Rya says.
“Yes, your sister keeps me busy.”
Shit! I almost choke on my drink. It’s the complete opposite of what I told her earlier.
“Is that so? And you see her often?” she presses.
“I’ve seen her multiple times. When was the last time? At your apartment?” Dawson asks me.
“Yes, I think it was. And I heard you were very interested in the fact that you wanted to intrude on my lunch with one of your girlfriends. Do you call them that, the women you fuck?” I ask him.
Everything seems to go quiet.
“I’m not sure. What would we call you? Is girlfriend the term you’re hoping for?”
“Dawson, I think we need to talk,” Crue interrupts and places a hand on Dawson’s shoulder. I look away from Dawson and blow out a breath. Crue drags Dawson away, and Rya pulls me in to whisper to me, “I thought you said nothing was happening. Are you sleeping with him?”
Fuck.
“Yes,” I admit.
“How many times?”
“Does it matter?” I sigh. “Twice.”
She blows out a heavy breath and shakes her head. “Are you sure about him? I don’t want to tell you what to do, but Dawson isn’t a one-woman man. As far as I’m aware, he has multiple women under contract.
“I’m fine, Rya. I’m a grown woman who can make my own decisions. Even took the training wheels off the security guard thing, remember? Fully-fledged adult.”
I can tell she doesn’t appreciate my tone, but she then says, “Okay. Well, do you want me to save him before Crue kills him?”
“Nah, he’ll be fine,” I reply, lifting my glass and finishing the wine.
CHAPTER 34
Dawson
Crue is a scary man, there’s no denying that. I’ve known him for many years, and there have been a few times where I thought he might want to kill me, and today is one of those days. I would usually say it’s through no fault of my own, but this time it’s completely my fault. I’ve been fucking his sister-in-law, and I don’t intend to stop. I can’t help myself.
“You make my wife mad, which in turn makes me furious because she won’t let me touch her because she thinks I did nothing to help,” he says calmly. “I like you, Dawson, but if she told me to kill you, I would.”
“I’m not sure I would allow you to do that,” I reply. I do not doubt if Crue wanted to kill me, he would most likely succeed. But over the past few years, my empire has grown to a level that rivals his, and his goes back centuries. It’s why we’ve grown closer over the years—he has supported me, and I him.
“Fair call. Don’t piss my wife off,” he says, shaking his head.
I stand there watching Rya, waiting for her to come over.
She doesn’t.
“A Ricci girl, eh?” he notes, leaning back in his chair. And it pisses me off how much satisfaction he has at being right.
“Fuck off, Crue.”
He stares at his glass of whisky, somber now. “It’s not the right choice by her. And I trust in my security, but now, with your involvement, I will have to put more guys on her.”
I side-eye him, knowing he’s right. Fuck me, I know it. I’ve fought this off so fucking much.
“I know.” I don’t have to tell him how hard I tried to stay away.
“If this guy hellbent on ruining your empire is already aware of your involvement with Honey, she’s not safe with you.”