Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
"Her?"
"What?" I ask, automatically shaking my head. "It isn't like that."
"Do you really think one of those happily married men in New Mexico will tell you that you can't have a relationship outside of the job? We all heard what went down in Tennessee."
"This isn't Tennessee, and that guy didn't go out and buy a chick at a warehouse like you would meat at a cattle auction."
"You did what?"
"I used my father's credit card and paid fifteen grand to buy the cashier from the grocery store," I mutter, not bothering to laugh when Rooster chokes on a sip of water.
"That complicates things. Why would you buy a person? That goes against everything Cerberus is."
"It wasn't for a bad reason."
"Name a good reason you buy someone, Heathen?"
I fucking hate the way my nickname teams up with that question.
"She got herself into trouble. I gave you the address to that place. She fucking went there looking for a woman she's used to seeing at her job. She got caught up."
"Caught up?" he repeats. "That's what you call getting in so deep she ends up for sale?"
"It's a fucked-up situation," I say, rubbing my hands over the top of my head in frustration.
"I'd say so," he says.
"How long will you give me?"
"The appointment with Ace from Tennessee was moved up until tomorrow."
"Fuck," I hiss.
"Yeah, fuck," he repeats. "I'd figure out how you plan on telling him by then, man. I'll shoot you the address for the meeting."
Chapter 14
Kaylee
I blink down at the bag in my hands.
At first, I was excited to see the familiar bag, although a little annoyed that the man had the damn nerve to go back to my house without me. Being there in the comfort of my own home would be a lot better than this damn hotel room.
The sight of what he has packed for me makes me wonder if he just loves torturing me because, honestly, there's no other reason for it.
"This is great and all," I say as I pull out the purple dress. "But why did you pack this?"
Ellis looks up from his spot on the sofa. I don't know him well enough to determine if the grin on his face is some form of retribution or if he's just a goofball and doesn't have a clue about what women wear on a daily basis.
"I figured you need something to sleep in," he explains with a quick shrug.
"So you thought an old Halloween costume was the perfect thing?"
"I didn't know it was a Halloween costume. At least I didn't grab the wedding dress that's hanging in there. Why do you even have a wedding dress?" He spins on the sofa, giving me all of his attention and watching me as if he's anxious for my explanation. "Are you supposed to marry someone else?"
"That dress is also a Halloween costume," I tell him, my face heating.
I don't have to explain to him that Morgan has an annual party that she won't let me say no to, and that event is happening soon. I had regrets of buying that dress before I even made it home with it from the thrift store.
"Isn't that bad luck? To wear a wedding dress when you aren't a bride?"
"How should I know?" I murmur as I continue to dig through the bag. It's not like I ever imagined getting married, so why would I worry about bad luck? "Ellis!"
His smile is wider when I look back at him, and I can see in his eyes that he's been waiting for this moment. His smile is almost enough to make me lose my train of thought, but handsome or not, the man has a lot to answer for right now. I can't get distracted by his boyish good looks.
"What, dear?"
"You went through my underwear drawer?"
"I found the ones I bought for you in the trash. I figured you'd want something of your own, so you'd be more comfortable."
"And this screams comfort to you?" I ask, holding up a piece of lingerie.
"I would be very comfortable in seeing you put that on," he says, licking his lips as his eyes drop lower on my body. The boyishness in his eyes has quickly faded into something a little more primal as his gaze runs the length of my body.
"That is never going to happen," I growl, but there's a little whisper in my brain asking what if.
"Because then we couldn't get the marriage annulled?" he challenges.
Without answering him, I shove the strappy lingerie back into the bag.
"I have to say, wife. I'm already super jealous of whatever man got to see you wearing that."
I open my mouth to explain the damn thing, a gag gift from Morgan because she's well aware that I'd never wear it, but I decide he doesn't deserve to know the truth. Let him think what he wants.