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’s insignificant.”
“Tell that to your bottom line.”
“Fuck off.”
“Just let me know if cash flow is an issue and I’ll pause your membership.” I smile round the rim of my glass.
“Fuck . . . off,” he grates, motioning for another drink.
“God, you’re uptight,” Sam teases.
“Jesse could change that.” Drew looks past me to the staircase that leads to the top floors of The Manor.
“Forget it,” I say quickly, as Sam chuckles. “Besides, there’s no one here you’d want to drag up and bless with your filth.”
“I don’t know,” Sam chimes. “Isn’t Ava’s work friend invited this evening?”
“Victoria?” Drew asks. “Seriously. Mention a dildo to that woman, she’ll spray you with disinfectant and have you committed to an asylum.”
I laugh loudly.
“There’s Kate, though,” Drew adds casually.
Sam stills, his body solid. Oh no. It’s not often you see Sam Kelt scowling. It seems Kate can fix that. “Drew,” I warn slowly, seeing the fucker smirk.
“Where is she, anyway?” he asks.
I don’t bother trying to hold Sam back. Drew’s being a dick. He deserves a whack. So I sit back and let Sam at him, watching as he gets up in our mate’s face, fisting his suit jacket. “I don’t want to hear her name come out of your mouth again,” he hisses. “Do you hear me?”
Drew smiles. “You’re in love with her.”
My eyes widen. Fuck. He went there?
Sam’s grip of Drew’s suit loosens. He glowers. “Don’t be fucking ridiculous.” He thrusts him away.
“Totally ridiculous,” Drew breathes, swiping his drink up and wandering off.
Sam takes his seat. “Where’s Ava?”
And my time being distracted is up. I look toward the entrance of the bar again while taking a sip of my water, back to wondering what her brother is saying. “With Dan,” I muse.
“Prickly fucker,” Sam mutters. “Don’t know what I’ve ever done to him.”
I clear my throat, not looking at Sam. You fucked his ex. “Don’t take it personally. He’s frosty with me too.”
“Obviously loving his life,” Sam says. “Didn’t Ava say he was living the dream in Australia?” he asks, and I nod.
“How are you and Kate?” I’m very keen to get off Dan. I look at my watch. How long has it been?
“I don’t know,” he says, frowning into his tumbler. “Like I said, it feels like she’s here but not. But I’m no expert in reading women’s minds, only their bodies.” He gets up and slaps my shoulder. “Go find your bride, mate. You should be with her.”
I watch him stroll off, his words sinking in. I should be with my bride. “Yes, I should,” I say to myself, finishing my water and taking my mate’s advice.
I walk with purpose, a message for anyone intending on intercepting me not to, and head for the gardens at the rear of The Manor. I wander down the lawn, past the tennis courts, hands in my pockets, a handcuff dangling and chinking with each step I take. When I reach the bottom, I stop, listening, scanning the trees before me. I hear Dan yell, I can’t make out exactly what, but I definitely heard Kate’s name. Frankly, I couldn’t give a fuck what they’re talking about. I do, however, give plenty of fucks that he’s yelling at my wife. I take a few more careful steps, listening.
“He’s good for her,” I hear Ava say, her voice tight. Sam. She’s talking about Sam, and if I wasn’t getting so worked up, that would warm my heart. Sam deserves some stability in his life. A constant, other than me and Drew. Someone to go home to. Problem is, I’m not sure Kate’s that woman, especially given what I know about her history with Dan, the amount of alcohol Kate has sunk today, and the fact I’ve not seen her with Sam. Not once.
I pass through two ancient oak trees and see them facing each other. I can't see Ava’s face—her back is to me—but I can see Dan’s and he looks pissed off. I laugh on the inside. He’s not even experienced pissed off. But he’s about to see it.
“You need to leave this exactly where it is,” Ava snaps firmly. She tries to walk away, and Dan stops her by grabbing her arm.
“What if I don’t want to?”
Oh, he did not. “Get your fucking hands off her,” I grate, my jaw rolling, my fists balling.
“It’s fine,” Ava says, pulling herself free of her brother’s hold. I disagree. It is not fine. “We’re done.”
“She’s my sister,” Dan fires, as Ava fidgets uncomfortably. Did he actually just move toward me?
“She’s my wife,” I snarl. That title trumps all others.
Dan laughs. Whether that be with nerves or pure mockery, I don’t know. But he’ll pay for it. I’m done stroking this prick’s ego. Brother or not, he’s a fucking cunt. I move forward and stop when something meets my arm.