Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“We chose each other, princess, Torpedo Ink. We became a family. Amanda has Adam. She had no idea what to do. We kill for one another. We do more than that for one another. I’d do it for you. Trade anything for you. My life or anyone else’s. You can’t condemn her for something we would do—that’s the point.”
The music swelled in volume as the band and the others tried various ways to come up with a tune to go with the lyrics for Jackson’s song. They were definitely on point, the beat catchy and melodic. Master’s mind automatically began to add in little riffs and runs, even as he noted every expression flitting across Ambrie’s face. She didn’t like what he’d said. She understood, but she didn’t like it.
“It isn’t the same thing.”
“You know it is, princess.” He rubbed his thumb across her lips again. She had the softest lips. The fall he was taking was only getting longer and deeper. His chest hurt right over the vicinity of his heart. “She was trying to save her family, just the way we’re trying to save ours.”
“I’m not leaving you to make her feel better. If someone comes in to try to kill you, I’m not letting that happen.”
His pint-sized little fairy princess was decisive as hell, staring up at him with large eyes, framed with those sweeping dark lashes that added a dramatic effect. It was all he could do to keep a straight face. Fuck if she didn’t mean it.
“I get that, baby, but we have to convince them that we’re solid. More than anything, Adam and Rashad have to believe you love me with every breath you take. Marcus and Amanda have to believe the same. I know you can pull it off for us. I have no choice. I’m expected to play with the band, so you’re the one who has to do all the convincing.” His thumb stroked her chin, and his gaze never wavered from hers.
Her teeth tugged at the side of her lower lip, and a frown appeared. “Are you just saying that so I’ll be nice and make up with Amanda?”
“No. Torpedo Ink has them under our protection. We have to let them know what’s happening. We’re counting on you to get them to trust us. The only way you’re going to do that, Ambrielle, is convince them you trust me.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
She was such a beautiful disaster. His beautiful disaster. He bent his head and took those pouting lips, indulging himself just for a moment. His stomach did a slow roll, and his cock went into a frenzy of need, hard as a fucking rock. His stone-cold heart, the one he’d been certain had long fallen silent, was beating strong just for her. She did that to him without even trying, just looking at him with her Bog-damn eyes and that sinful mouth of hers.
Tiny flames flicked over his skin and ran down his spine, igniting his nerves and spreading like a wildfire through his bloodstream. He groaned and wrapped one arm around her, pulling her body tighter against him, wondering how close the nearest restroom was.
“Enough, you two. You might be on your honeymoon, but we need your guitar and genius on this one, Master. Ambrie, lend us your man for just a few minutes. We’ll give him back,” Keys teased.
Master lifted his head and looked into her eyes. She looked a little dazed, but she had that sense of humor that got to him every time. If she laughed, that silly giggle, he couldn’t help feeling it. He found himself giving her an answering smile.
“Make them believers, princess.”
“Go be a genius, Master, but no one better try to hurt you.”
He shook his head and left her side, going to the band, wondering how a woman half his size would think he needed looking after. It felt—good. Too good. He’d never been cared for, and it felt too close to that.
“She’s really traumatized, Master,” Czar said, his voice soft, his strange silvery eyes on Ambrielle.
Master resisted the urge to step between Czar and Ambrie. “Yeah. I know.”
“She needs help.”
“I’m well aware. If you’re trying to say in a subtle way that she can’t possibly really be in love with me, I’m very aware of that as well. I realize why you were so insistent my name be on the marriage license. Any of the others would believe they had a real shot with her.” He kept his gaze fixed on Ambrielle.
“That’s not at all what I meant,” Czar denied.
The band started up again, the members, Rashad and Seychelle calling out for Master to hurry and join them. “She’s extraordinary, Czar. I’ll see her through this, and I’ll let her go when it’s over. You don’t have to worry. I’ll do the right thing.”