Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
He nods, letting me do all the shaking. “Understood.”
“And I might grant you the grace of being in our kids’ lives.” Here’s your first test, O’Shea. Don’t fail—the money’s not in the bank yet. I need fucking Sarah for that.
His lips become straight, his eyes narrowed but questioning. “Are you planning on having kids?”
“She’s pregnant.” I rest back in my seat. “It’s twins.”
Poor fuck looks like he’s gonna fall off his chair. I can see the endless retorts swirling around in his head, the accusations, the judgments. Question is, will he voice them? “Congratulations,” he says quietly, without any sincerity.
“Thanks. We’re thrilled, as you can imagine.” I glance at my watch. “You can go now.” Ava will be here soon, and I have no faith she’ll listen to John when he tells her to wait in the bar. Plus, it’s getting busy out there. “I’ll call you a cab,” I say, putting a call in, hoping there’s one nearby that’ll get him out of my face pronto. I’m in luck. “Ten minutes. I’ll walk you out.” I don’t even get a chance to engage my muscles to stand. The door swings open and there she is, my wife, her dark eyes batting back and forth between her brother and me. Fuck it. I slap on a smile and throw Dan a warning look. She can’t know anything, and I’m sure Dan agrees.
“Dan?” she says, as he slowly rids his face of any hostility and beams from ear to ear, turning in his chair. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, kiddo.” He’s up fast and embracing her. “Congratulations.”
Her eyes widen over his shoulder, before narrowing on me. “I might get to tell someone myself soon.”
“I love you,” I mouth, and she rolls her eyes.
“So what are you doing here?” She’s asking Dan, but her accusing eyes are asking me. Won’t tell. So I shrug, blasé, acting as surprised as she is that her brother is standing in my office in my sex club. And that there is part of her concern. No need. Dan’s leaving, and I’m pretty sure he’s not coming back anytime soon.
“Making amends,” Dan says, and I nod, impressed. “I didn’t want to go home without sorting this out.”
“So you’re friends?” she says, asking Dan again, but looking at me.
“Something like that,” he replies. I laugh under my breath. Nothing like that. “Anyway, I need to shoot.” Yes, fuck off. “I’m meeting Harvey up west.” Leaving his sister still looking a bit bemused, he nods his appreciation. I can tell it kills him. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“When are you heading back?” Ava asks, dragging her markedly accusing glare from me and softening it when she’s facing her brother. Of course, I’m the villain.
“I’m not sure. Depends on flights. I’ll call you, okay?” He doesn’t hang around, skirting past Ava after giving her a chaste kiss. He encounters John outside the door. The big man doesn’t look happy as Dan edges past his imposing body.
“What was all that about?” Of course, Ava’s on my case the moment the door closes.
“What?” I ask, quickly texting John to let him know a taxi is on its way.
“Look at me,” she demands shortly, pulling my astounded gaze up as I click send and set my phone down. Superb. So her brother’s a cunt, and I’m picking up the wrap and the bill. “Why was Dan here?”
“He apologized.”
She laughs, condescending as fuck, as I swipe up my phone when it lights up with a text. The new wall is finished. Great. “I don’t believe you.”
I stand. Let’s get out of here. “That makes me sad, baby.” It really does. Why does she push? She’ll be distraught if she knew what actually went down. I wish she’d trust me. “Now, tell me,” I say, sweeping in with a swift change of subject. “What did Patrick say?” Van Der Haus may be out of that frame but, again, I’m wary. And I suddenly remember the last contact I had with him. I told him to back off.
Now why would I do that?
Exactly.
So I will continue to be cautious where Van Der Haus is concerned.
Ava’s quickly uncomfortable as I wait for an answer.
“You’ve not told him, have you?” I ask. How many times has she promised to sever all work ties with the Danish prick and not followed through? What, is she scared? Worried she’ll upset her boss? Worried he’ll fire her? “Ava?”
“He wasn’t in the office,” she rushes to explain, her hand fiddling madly. “But he will be tomorrow, so I’ll speak to him then.”
Nope. She’s had endless opportunities. I’ve held back. Time is up. “Too late, lady. You’ve had your chance. Again and again and again.”
“That’s not fair. I told Mikael I won’t be working with him anymore, so you can’t say I’m not trying to resolve this.”