Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Following Livingston’s wordless gesture to get in the vehicle, he slid over the buttery soft leather of the passenger seat before responding, “I told Bradford.”
“Don’t put this on me, man. The only reason I know is because Iris called her sister so when you called I asked you not to piss her off, but you should have called Livingston.” Bradford climbed in behind him, stretching his legs out.
Livingston walked around the hood as Hastings pulled his door shut. Hastings looked over his shoulder at his middle brother, taking in the relaxed posture and dare he say it, the happiness in the man’s gaze. When Livingston got in, he could see a bit of it in him as well. Not as much, but it was there.
“What was so important that the two of you flew out here?”
Livingston pushed the start button and looked at him, slate gaze serious. “Senator Hayes.”
The growl rolled free and he didn’t even try to stop it. “That fucking prick.”
Livingston pulled smoothly away from the hotel. “That’s why we’re here.”
“Think I’m going to fuck up your organization?” Bitterness coated his words.
“No,” Bradford said immediately. “That’s not ever a concern for me. I’m worried you may kill the senator.”
Really, all he could do was shrug because…the thought had passed through his mind a few times.
“And I promised my wife I’d look in on her sister.” Bradford slumped back in the seat.
“So no wives came with you?”
“No.” Both of his siblings answered at the same time.
“Also,” Livingston said, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel while they waited at a light, “the old man knows.” He gripped the black wheel so tight for a moment the white pushed through his normally tan skin before he relaxed.
Bradford sat forward again. “Bastard threatened Daisy.”
“What the fuck?” Hastings glanced at Livingston then to Bradford and back to the eldest. Livingston’s jaw was clenched, and it was obvious he was working to lower his temper. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“One, we didn’t know where you were and two, when we found you, you were laid up in a hospital, then vanished.” Livingston’s words were clipped. “He got the message, but we all know how he is. If the bastard thinks he can gain some control over us or our money this way, he won’t hesitate to show up.”
Hastings rubbed the nape of his neck. “And side with the senator.”
“Probably,” Bradford said on a drawn-out sigh.
“He’s threatened Violet.” Hastings looked at his hands. “The senator, I mean. Like he could take the job from her.”
His brothers laughed, not the slightest bit of concern in their tones.
“How’d that work out for him?” Bradford asked.
“She didn’t seem worried, but I was there.”
Both men grunted and nodded. Like they understood he’d stepped in.
“And how is it with staying in the same hotel? Worked out well for Livingston here. Of course, he put her in the room adjoining his.” Bradford waggled his eyebrows. “Are you still sleeping alone? Or was there some of this?” He made a lewd gesture with his hands.
Hastings grabbed one wrist and held him still. “I’ve not seen our sister-in-law since she left my ass in front of Welcome Home, and you need to never do that again, Bradford.” With a thrust, he sent his brother’s hand back toward him, and with such speed that it hit him in the face.
“Ow! You fuck!”
“Behave,” Livingston growled at them.
“Yes, Dad!” they mocked as one.
They parked in front of Welcome Home and it was Hastings’ turn to growl. Eli Mattson stood in the front speaking with Violet and another man he didn’t know. He knew enough about Eli to be instantly protective and possessive. The man was a walking ad for sex if you spoke to most women who knew him.
His Native American looks and his physique were a hell of a combo for many. And it seemed not even Violet was immune.
“Yeah, I get that, man,” Bradford said. “Iris looked at him like that first time she saw him.”
Hastings hopped out, not bothering to address his brother’s comment. He strode over the ground, spongy from the intense rain last night, and right up to their discussion.
Eli looked at him and gave a half smile. “Hastings. Good to see you.”
He grunted in response and zeroed his gaze on Violet, who frowned as she looked between them. Crowding into her space, he gripped her arm and backed her up two steps.
“What the fuck are you doing?” she snapped.
“He’s off limits for you.”
She lifted one eyebrow, and today’s barbell had lavender stones in it. Fucking hell.
“Excuse me?”
“He’s military.”
Violet pressed her lips together and hummed. Then she stepped flush to him and settled her hand against his chest. Her nails scraped at his torso through his shirt. “There’s a big difference between the two of you,” she said, voice low enough it was for his ears only. “He’s ex-military. Which means, he’s not off limits.”