Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 74324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
But I could tell the second he realized that his parents were sleeping together, because he stiffened slowly.
“Please, for the love of God, tell me that you’re not doing what I think you’re doing,” Mig said to his father.
I covered my face in embarrassment.
It couldn’t be much different then what we’d been doing only a few minutes ago!
But I refrained from saying that aloud since I valued my health.
“I could say the same to you, son. Try to keep it down from now on. Next time take it to the lounger in front of your room instead of mine,” Vitaly Senior said, shutting the door once he realized all was okay.
My face flamed even more, and I started to laugh.
“Oh, my God,” I moaned.
Mig sighed.
“You make me forget myself sometimes,” he said softly, pulling my head forward onto his chest.
I wrapped my hands around his waist, resting my cheek against his muscled chest.
“I can’t seem to help myself,” I teased.
He growled.
“My parents…” he cursed. “They’re back together. And let me tell you something, they’re horrible together. Fight like cats and dogs. They don’t care who’s around when they do.”
“They love each other,” I told him.
He rumbled low in his chest. “Yeah, they do.”
I leaned back, letting him see my face.
“Then let them try to find their happy.”
He leaned his forehead forward until it leaned against mine.
“Like we found our happy?” He asked softly.
I smiled.
“Yeah, like we found ours.”
Chapter 23
I’m not telling you it’s not going to hurt along the way. What I’m telling you is that it’s going to be worth it.
-Mig to Annie
Mig
“I don’t see why I can’t go with you,” I growled.
“Because we have your father here, and the baby needs things. I don’t want you around because I’m still upset with you for keeping that viper a secret from us,” my mother snapped.
She was pissed.
I knew she would be, which was why I’d put off telling her.
She left without another word, and I looked up at the ceiling, studying the tin roof.
My Nonnie didn’t say a word, either.
I could feel her glare, though, as she passed me by.
And swear to Christ, she intentionally stomped my foot with her walker.
“Dad,” I stopped him before he could follow my mother out of the house. “Please be careful with her. She’s smart, but dangerous situations just seem to find her, and she’s got no idea whatsoever about how to protect herself. Please stay close and keep vigilant.”
He raised a condescending brow at me.
“I taught you everything you know. Give me a little credit,” he said, then slammed the door behind him, leaving me alone in a room with a woman that I absolutely did not want to see.
“Casten,” I said.
Casten sighed, giving Annie’s dog one last scratch before he stood up and walked out the door, following behind my parents.
I didn’t bother looking at Jennifer.
She was upset with me.
And to be honest, I was upset with her, too. It sickened me to have her here, a place that had always been a special place for me.
A place where the outside world seemed so far away.
Jennifer tapped away on her phone, ignoring me as best as she could.
I went onto the back deck and started to make calls, my father helpfully handing me a list of associates he thought might be able to help me with Liam Cornell.
I was lost in a phone call when I felt the first tingle of awareness that something wasn’t right.
It was too quiet.
The pool pump, normally a constant hum in the background, wasn’t running.
The waterfall, normally a continuous slow trickle, had clearly been off for a while, seeing as the stream was practically dry.
“Shit,” I said softly.
“What?” Wolf asked.
“The power’s off,” I said.
Wolf cursed, and I shoved the phone into my pocket as I slowly stood.
I didn’t hang up, though.
With any luck, Wolf would be able to hear all that went on.
And if things went south, he’d be able to get help to Annie if she needed it.
I end well for me the moment I turned around and saw Liam standing behind Jennifer.
Jennifer’s eyes were filled with sorrow, and I knew she had a hand in this.
Why it never occurred to me that Jennifer would lead the man to my doorstep, I didn’t know.
I should have.
In my defense, though, I kept hoping that there was some good in the woman who was carrying my child.
There wasn’t.
“Looks like you’re alone,” Liam said.
I nodded. “I am.”
My gun was burning a hole in my back, my hands tingling with the urge to grab it.
But I knew it wouldn’t do me any good.
I couldn’t get to it fast enough for Liam not to put a bullet through Jennifer, and although she betrayed me, I wouldn’t sacrifice her life like that.
However, if I made it out of this alive, and Annie was unhurt, I would see that Jennifer paid for her betrayal.