Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Theo stared at the ring on his hand before he gave a sigh. “Alright.”
“Then that ring is yours. You get the second one after our first distribution. And then you get the third when you marry my daughter.” Dante got to his feet to shake Theo’s hand. “Let’s make money together.”
Theo stood up and shook his hand. “Yes.”
Dante said goodbye then let the butler guide him downstairs and out the front door.
I waited a couple of minutes before I stepped out of the bedroom and approached him.
Theo stood with his arms crossed over his chest, looking at me with a hard expression, like he knew how fucking shitty this was.
I came closer to him and slid my hands into my pockets. “I almost came out here and killed him.”
“I was surprised when you didn’t.”
I stared at the diamond skull on his finger. “I used to believe Dante didn’t like me solely because of my past, but now I realize it was always bigger than that. He manipulated Scarlett into dumping Ryan. He manipulated me to stay away from Scarlett. All because he wanted to use her as a bargaining chip.”
Theo continued to stare at me with eyes full of pity.
“It’s so fucked up.”
His hand moved to my arm, and he patted me. “We’ll have him by the balls soon, Axel. Just be patient.”
4
SCARLETT
I was in the parlor on my laptop when the guards opened the door and Theo stepped inside. The second the door opened, a rush of cold winter air rushed inside and made bumps form on my arms. I was in a long-sleeved V-neck sweater, tucked into my ruffled skirt, so the air was definitely chilly.
My eyes focused on him, his physique stretching the fabric of his long-sleeved shirt nicely. His dark jeans hung low on his hips, and his jawline was clean because he seemed to have shaved that morning. When he spotted me at the table, he took a seat across from me.
I grabbed the top of my laptop and slowly closed it. “Nice to see you again.”
He watched me with his hard gaze, a handsome man who probably got tail wherever he went. “Your father and I struck a deal.”
My father hadn’t mentioned that to me, but I pretended he had. “Looks like I’ll be seeing more of you, then.” It was the first time I’d seen a man who rivaled Axel in appearance, who had a strong body and thick arms, who had the kind of confidence that could command a room. Theo didn’t have beautiful blue eyes and light-colored hair, but he was still hot as fuck.
“I hope so.” He continued his stare, able to hold eye contact without flinching.
The stare started to make my skin hot. “I do all the accounting because my father doesn’t trust anyone else with the information—”
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
I hesitated at the question. “I-I don’t mix business with pleasure.” The last time I did, I ended up with a broken heart, a heart that was still broken six months later. Axel’s betrayal had given me a permanent wound, the kind that scabbed over but never healed. “I think it’s best if we just keep our relationship professional—”
“We’re having dinner tonight. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“I’m flattered, but—”
“I asked your father’s permission beforehand. He’s fine with it.”
“You—you did?”
“Yes.”
“And he said it was fine?”
He gave a nod.
“Are—are you sure?”
Now he grinned. “He was enthused.”
That was the opposite message my father had given me. He said it was important to be professional, always.
Theo’s grin remained. “You don’t believe me.”
“It’s just…my father has always said it’s unwise to get involved with people from work—”
“Looks like he’s made an exception for me.” He rose from the table and pushed in the chair. “See you tonight.” He turned and headed to the door.
“Wait, didn’t you come here to speak to my father?”
He opened the door before he looked at me again. “No.”
I watched him go, his tight ass snug in his jeans. After he got into his sports car and drove off, I walked into my father’s office where he sat at his desk.
He was on the phone. “Just because the ships are delayed doesn’t mean our delivery needs to be delayed. Find another way, Rigo.” He hung up then looked at me. “Did you need something, sweetheart?”
“So, Theo was just here…”
“Alright.”
“He asked me out…and said you were okay with that?”
“I am okay with that.”
I lowered myself into the chair across from him. “I thought we didn’t shit where we ate?”
“He’s different.”
“Uh, why?”
“Because he’s the Skull King. He’s the biggest player in the game. He’s not even a player. He is the game.”
“And isn’t that the very reason I shouldn’t get involved with him?”
“There are times to make an exception—and I think Theo is that exception.”
I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing.