Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Nox warns heatedly, “Boo.”
Lowering her eyes, she purses her lips. Lifting her head, looking right at me, she smiles. “I’m happy for you, Deedee. Just-” My throat clogs when her eyes mist. “Just be happy, okay?”
Without waiting for a reply, she turns on her heel to follow Rock.
Nox squeezes me and I place my hand over his, squeezing back. Twisting again, I ask, “Why did you do that?”
I don’t have to elaborate. He knows what I’m talking about.
His eyes warm for just a second before ice cloaks them once more. Looking down at the counter, he explains softly, “There are girls out there you want to fuck, and there are girls out there that you want to love.” He looks me in the eye. “Not ashamed of you, Lily.”
He stops speaking for a moment, allowing that to sink in.
Leaning his chin on top of my head, he utters, “You’re not for the background.” Burying his nose into my hair, he mutters, “You deserve center stage.”
A violent tremor washes over me, my entire body breaking into goosebumps. My heart squeezes, and I try hard at pushing back the tears from hearing something like that come out of Nox.
“I thought you didn’t do sweet.” My voice sounds thick even to me.
With a smack to my butt, he steps back, takes my hand in his and smirks, “Besides, I’m the boss. What are they gonna do? Fire me?”
My brows lift and I tilt my head while pursing my lips.
He has a point.
A goofy smile spreads across my lips, and I allow him to lead me to death by workout.
Chapter Fifteen
Special ferret and friends
Nox
“How much time we got?”
None. We don’t have any time left. But I’ll be damned if I lose Lily now. I just fucking got her.
Turning to Rock, I lie, “Some. Any news?”
“Actually, yeah.” He looks me right in the eye. “You’re not gonna like it.”
A stabbing pain shoots through my chest. It’s someone they know. My poker face in place, I ask, “What is it?”
“Gotta understand, dude. There was no reason to look before, but Mitch got an anonymous tip and…” He trails off.
My stomach flips. Biting the inside of my cheek, I nod for him to tell me.
Rock shakes his head and mutters, “This is hard, man.”
Rage builds in the center of me. I’m ready to knock skulls. Forcing a chuckle, I roll my eyes, “Fuck, Rock, tell me already!”
“Jamie Harrison.”
…The fuck he just say?
I’m sure I heard wrong. But Rock repeats himself, “Jamie fucking Harrison. For real, bro.”
Whoa. Definitely didn’t see that coming.
Ciaran Flynn is going to need some serious help after all this is over. We’re talking trust issues for life.
He took in the boys when their father died and this is the thanks he gets? Just goes to show, you can’t put your trust into anyone.
Lily. My princess. She’s gonna be devastated.
If I were to do what I really wanted to do right now, I’d go downstairs, take a van, and drive. I’d drive all the way back to California to the residence of Jamie Harrison, knock on his door, and when the weak, sly fucker answered the door…
Boom.
Off with his fucking head.
But I can’t do that. I promised to watch Lily and that’s what I’m gonna do. I have two minds about telling her though.
My body sinks deeper into my chair. I have to tell her. Eventually. When she needs to know.
I’ve spent too long in silence. Rock watches me carefully. With a single nod, I stand and ask, “Feel like sparring?”
***
Lily
Boo and I walk past the workout room and hear, “I’m warnin’ you, man.”
That’s Nox. And it sounds heated.
My eyes widen in interest. I look up and see Boo holding the very same expression. She crooks her finger and I follow her to the almost closed door. We peek in and watch the clowns at work.
Rock pops him in the nose while bouncing around, “Or what? You’ll tell on me to your girlfriend?”
Ouch, Rock! That was mean!
Boo giggles quietly and whispers, “He doesn’t mean it, Dee. Just watch.”
Nox’s face turns hard. His eye twitches.
Oh shit.
“Say it again,” he says in dead calm. “I dare ya.” Shaking his head, he adds, “I love you like a brother, man. But I swear to God, I’ll drop you so hard, so fast, you won’t know what hit you.”
Rock continues to bounce on the balls of his feet, feigning punches. He smiles harshly, “Quit fucking around already. I know you wanna punch me, so do it.” He stops bouncing. “Unless you’re a pussy.”
Nox’s eyes flash and I bite my lip to hold in my laughter.
Walking backwards, he starts undoing his boxing gloves. I think it’s over, so I move to walk away, but Boo stops me with a hand on my shoulder, looking all too excited. She mouths, “Watch.”
Rock smiles in victory and undoes his gloves, too. They both kick off their shoes and peel off their sweaty socks and meet in the center of the room. Rock grins, “Rules?”