Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Because why?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m more than capable.”
He took a step closer, then reached up and brushed his thumb across my cheek. His skin was hot, but his touch made me shiver.
“What is it you don’t want to tell me? Why are you so reluctant to admit you’re just as much of a badass as I am? You do what it takes to get the job done, and you always protect your family. We’re really not all that different.”
I should have knocked his hand away or punched the shit out of him, but I didn’t. I just stood there for several seconds, then I grabbed his waist and pulled him against me. His eyes widened, and I heard his sharp intake of breath. His reaction made me smile.
TJ’s hand moved to cup my chin in a firm grip. I tightened my hold on his hips. His low growl went straight to my dick, but Grant chose that moment to call me from the front of the barn.
I pushed TJ away, angry with myself for basically melting against him.
“I told you to stay the hell away from my brother,” Grant snarled at TJ.
I’d had it with Grant’s attitude. I wasn’t a fucking child. “I can take care of myself.”
Grant raised his brows. “Can you?”
“I’m not ten years old anymore, Grant. You don’t have to be my mama.” Grant glared at me, but he didn’t say anything else. “What did you want?”
“It’s my barn. I don’t have to have—”
“Jesus, you’re so dramatic.”
TJ was clearly trying to keep from laughing.
Grant huffed. “At least take it somewhere other than the barn.”
“You’re one to talk.”
TJ did laugh then. “He’s right. I’ve heard you enjoying—”
Grant pointed a finger at him. “Not another fucking word.”
We both laughed as my brother turned and stomped out of the barn.
9
TJ
I tossed back the last of my whiskey. How many glasses had I had now? Three? Four? Not enough to forget, so I was going to need another refill. Everyone else was celebrating solving our problem with the FBI and getting rid of Jacob’s evil ex. As far as they were concerned, we could enjoy some relaxing days, watching horses frolic in the pasture, but I’d gotten a call from my aunt. One that had me feeling furious and… a hell of a lot of other emotions I didn’t want to name.
My father had agreed to let my cousin appoint someone else to take my role in the family. He said it would be temporary until I got back, but I knew better. I was being pushed out, and I was going to have to fight to get my position back. Ultimately, I was going to have to either walk away from my family or assassinate my overly ambitious cousin. What would I do if I walked away? Where else would I use my skill set? Even though my father treated me like shit, I did care about other members of my family, and I cared that we had a code. All my cousin cared about was making himself richer and more powerful. It didn’t matter to him who or what he destroyed to get there. I cared about the community and so had my grandfather.
Was my father really fooled by Franco? If so, how could he be so blind?
I slumped back in my chair, tilted my head up, and looked at the stars. Grant and his brothers seemed to find nature calming. Sitting out there, I could kind of see what they meant. There wasn’t exactly a breeze, but it wasn’t as hot as it had been earlier, and there was a sense of intense quiet and openness. I’d never seen so many stars in my life.
I told myself to go in and get the rest of the bottle of whiskey. It was probably time to give up using a glass. My legs didn’t want to work, though, so I just sat there. A few moments later, I heard the screen door creak. When I turned, I saw the one person who could bring me as much trouble as my family. Rhys.
“Shit,” he said when he noticed me sitting there.
“I got here first.”
I laughed at the disgust on his face, but on the inside, I was angry and hurt. I was done with him treating me like I was beneath him. He wanted me as much as I wanted him.
I noticed the bottle in his hand. “Were you trying to find a quiet place to get drunk too?”
“I’m well on my way,” he said, saluting me with the half-empty bottle.
I held my hand out for it. I didn’t think he’d share, but he handed it over. I knocked back a swallow and passed it back.
“The porch is big enough for both of us.” I waved my hand toward a chair.
He nodded and took the seat, landing with a thump as though he expected the chair to be higher than it was.