Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
She walked toward the dining room, knowing an assortment of breakfast would be waiting for her. Antwone had introduced her to the chef, as she insisted, because she didn’t want any bad vibes between them. On meeting the chef, they had talked, and she shared her love of cooking, some of her mother’s memories, and together she knew they’d be able to live harmoniously.
Candice didn’t want to make waves in Antwone’s life. As much as she loved cooking, and she did, since Luke came along, she had been thankful for the rest.
Stepping into the dining room, she came to a stop when she saw Draven. His presence was so unexpected. No one had told her he had come.
“Draven,” she said. “If you’re looking for Antwone, I’m afraid you missed him. He has gone.”
“I know he’s gone. That’s why I’m here.”
“It is?” she asked.
She looked at Draven, and once again, she couldn’t help but wonder what it was about him that bugged her. He looked dangerous and scary, and he did kind of freak her out. But there was something else, something familiar about him.
“What I have to say to you, Antwone doesn’t need to be here for.”
She felt her heart start to race and her son clearly started to feel the uneasiness she was feeling.
Candice didn’t know whether to stand and fight, or run. Antwone trusted this man, but he had warned her not to trust anyone.
Now she didn’t know what to do or think.
Biting her lip, she looked at him, waiting, a little uncertain about what was going to happen next.
Draven dismissed the guards and she glanced back, watching as they left.
“Please, sit and eat.”
Until finding him in the dining room, she’d been starving. Now, food was the last thing on her mind.
She waited, a little afraid, but she moved Luke to the baby chair, keeping him close. She would protect him with her life. Staring at Draven, she lowered herself into the chair, thinking about what could be used as a weapon.
“I know you and Antwone didn’t have the best start in life. He put his duty before you, and in doing so, he did it to protect you.”
Not what she expected.
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about my brother,” Draven said.
Candice stopped and looked at Draven. He sat, one leg crossed over the other. He looked so calm, so collected, and it took her by surprise.
“Brother.”
“I’m going to tell you a little story about two brothers and one night when their lives were changed forever.”
Candice sat back and she listened to what Draven had to say. He talked about how he and Antwone shared a father, and even though they were only half brothers, to them, it didn’t matter. They were brothers and nothing was going to change that. They shared a father, but had different mothers. He spoke about how their father was a violent man. His addiction to power and greed would often send him over the edge. There was no escaping his wrath. One night, he beat Antwone, intent on killing him, as he thought his sons were going to try and take everything from him.
Draven was the one to help Antwone. He got him out of there, and together, they hid in secret. They lost their sisters, their mother, and even their father that night. But, reports stated that two sons were also killed.
Antwone and Draven had intended to start a new life, but Draven had other plans. He wanted Antwone to become The Boss, so they set out their plan which would eventually lead them to where Antwone would enter a bar.
His brother had a duty to marry and provide an heir, but Antwone didn’t want to marry. He didn’t want to have an underage wife, so he tried to escape. In attempting to escape, it sent him to her.
Antwone walked into her bar, and she could recall that first night—how angry he looked, but also how desperate. Not for anything in general, but now she understood why. He wanted to get away and for a few hours find some peace. That had led him to her.
“My brother has known sacrifice. He has had to deal with a lot, and in truth, he never wanted to be in the position I placed him, but I made him do it. For a long time, he’s been alone. He’s been doing his job and his duty, and he’s been amazing at it. The moment he met you, he changed. There was a smile on his face that I hadn’t seen since we were kids. My brother is in love with you, Candice. He will move heaven and earth for you. He would go to war for you. I’ve never seen him like this before, and hate that he feels … like he lost you.” Draven paused. “That was my fault. I told him he needed to get his shit together. I was the one who told him he needed to let you go. I had no idea how he felt. Please forgive my brother. He truly believed he was acting in your best interest.”