Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“I missed you, sweetheart.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes, actually. The police came and…”
“The police,” my father barked.
“Oh. It’s not like that. For some reason they’re under the impression that someone attacked Jake and he was reported missing. He doesn’t know why, but something’s not right because his family knew he was coming here and that dumb broad wants him and she keeps saying she’s engaged to him.”
“I looked her up yesterday,” Anderson said.
“What?”
“I wanted to protect you. Jake’s telling the truth. She’s an heiress looking for someone to dig her claws into. Her father has cut her off financially, and she’s looking for a rich husband. I contacted some friends in New York, and they’re keeping tabs on her.”
“Then why are you being so hostile to Jake?”
“Because I knew he was watching you and I allowed it, believing he was coming back. Then I saw the article and I wanted to kill him.” I threw my arms around my big brother, giving him a big hug. “What’s that for?” he asks when I let go.
“Thank you for looking out for me.”
“Always will, sis.”
“So let’s get you some food and then we can talk about the wedding.”
“Okay.” My dad pulls me in with one arm and a hug.
“I’m glad you’re looking so happy, sweetheart. I hoped everything would work out because I would have hated to have to kill him after all these years.”
“Daddy,” I sigh.
“Okay, okay.”
“Be nice, Dean.”
“Yes, love.” My mother has him wrapped around her finger, and that hasn’t changed in all their years of marriage. Their relationship is what I always hoped for in my own. They were the epitome of happily ever after. My father worshiped my mother with every fiber of his being, and she never had to worry if he was out looking to betray her with another woman. He needed her like his next breath, and she clung to him equally.
“Leave us girls alone for a minute. I need to talk to Lea.” She shoos my father and brother away while my sister, Michelle, who has been completely silent about all this, follows us into the kitchen.
“Do you really love him?”
“Yes, why?”
“I mean, is it worth throwing your future away for a man?”
“I’m confused as to where you have been living your entire life, Michelle.”
“Well, it’s just that Mom and Dad are rare.”
“What about Uncle James and Aunt Hailey?”
“Okay. Yes, and that means this family has had too much good luck already in that area.”
I narrow my gaze at my sister and stare, reading her lies. There is so much she’s not saying in between the protests and objections. Someone hurt her. “Who the fuck is he?”
“No one.”
“Mom, while everyone’s worried about me, Michelle’s holding back. Who’s the bastard we need to bury?”
“No one. I swear. He doesn’t even know I exist.”
“Oh. I’m sorry,” I say, hugging my sister. I’ve been so worked up in my own grief and then happiness I forgot to check in with my twin. She’s always so reserved, and I didn’t see what’s right in front of me. “I’m so sorry, M. I should have noticed.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. I’ve kept it hidden. It wasn’t until Mom and Dad told me about you and Jake that it hit me hard. I know it’s selfish and wrong. Especially because you’ve been waiting forever for him, but I hate working for him.” She slaps her hand to her mouth, and Mom and I gasp. Her boss wasn’t the guy we were expecting her to say. Damn, she’s interested in the professor.
We hear footsteps coming closer. “I’m going to wash my face.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
My father comes through the door just as my sister dashes up the backstairs.
“What’s going on? Where did Michelle run off to?”
“Work stuff,” my mother says, essentially not lying. He arches his brow but doesn’t say a word.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I have to run an errand and I wanted to give you a kiss.”
“Where are you going?”
“Nowhere important.”
“Liar.”
“Woman, just relax and do your womanly things. Okay?”
“Fine. Kiss me.” She pouts her lips upward and they kiss. When he breaks away, he pats my head and walks out of the kitchen.
“I’m a little nervous about what he has planned.”
“I trust he’s not going to do anything stupid.”
“Do you really?”
“Yes.”
Chapter Seven
Jake
The airport is crowded, but I am waiting for him to arrive. “Where is he?” I’m nearly jumping out of my skin, ready to get answers and then destroy him.
“Relax. You couldn’t be a spy,” my future father-in-law chuckles.
“I just want to get back to Lea,” I answer, shrugging my shoulders to ease the tension rushing through me.
“Well, this is a must.”
He’s right, and I know it. The older bastard has always been right even if I’m still not ready to admit it to him after all these years. “Thanks for doing this,” I say just low enough for him to hear.