Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Ace nods. “Report back to me daily and keep an eye out for anything that feels wrong or out of place.”
I nod again, resolved and determined to keep the princess safe for as long as my brothers need me to. But deep down, I know it won’t be easy. Aria is going to fight me every step of the way.
I’m bigger and stronger, which gives me the edge. I have to make her see that without losing my shit.
Easier said than done.
As I leave the room, I can’t help but think something bigger is at play here. Something we’re all missing, and I intend to find out what it is.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Aria
“You can sleep here.”
I look at Lucky and then back to the small guest room with a single bed, a small three-drawer dresser, and a big picture window.
“Frannie is right next door if you need anything,” I insist, biting back my smirk.
“Nice try, sweetheart, but I’m sticking close to you, which means the room right across the hall from your room is perfect.” His arm wraps my waist and redirects me toward the staircase that leads to the rest of the house. “Whether you like it or not, we’re stuck together.”
I shove him off, the sound of his laughter following me up the stairs and down the hall, which seems oddly intimate now that he’s staying inside and not just inside but close. Very close.
It’s good to be home even if I do have a biker following my every step, looking over my shoulder, and probably listening to my phone calls. “This really is completely unnecessary. I’ll be fine as soon as Daddy comes home.”
Lucky snorts.
“I will!”
He invades my space so close that his chest brushes against mine. “And when your daddy gets back, I’ll happily get back to my life. Until then, it’s just you and me.”
I roll my eyes. “Lucky me.”
He laughs. “No, Lucky, me. Spoiled ass princess, you.”
“Haha. Very funny.” I push open the door of the room that will be his for the duration of his stay and motion inside. ‘There you go. Stay there, and I’ll stay here. I promise to holler if I need you.”
“I’m not your fucking prisoner,” he growls and seriously, the sound makes my nipples harden to the point they ache. “And I’m not your guest, Aria. I’m here to make sure that pretty head of yours doesn’t get shot right off your shoulders. Got it?”
“Whatever! Run around the whole damn house for all I care. Just stay out of my room. Got it?”
He stares at me for a long time, watching me like I’ve grown an extra head. Finally, he looks like he might want to say something, thinks better of it, and steps inside his room, closing the door behind him.
“Thank fucking goodness,” I growl and go inside my room, slamming the door in case Lucky thinks I might be thrilled about this new arrangement. A knock on the door interrupts my wallowing. “Go away!”
The door cracks open, and Frannie peeks in, sporting a wide grin. “Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine today? What’s got your panties in such a wad?”
I roll my eyes. “Come on in, Frannie. I’m sorry, I’m just pissed about…every damn thing to be honest.” I hate that I sound like a whiny brat, but my emotions are all over the place, and I feel totally unsettled.
Frannie steps inside with a tray of food. She sets it down on the table on the balcony, before joining me on the bed. “Are you worried about Mr. Morgan?”
I nod. “Among other things, yeah. Of course. They carted him out of the office like he’s a common criminal.”
She laughs. “Girl, there is nothing common about your father, but sooner or later, we all face the consequences of our actions.”
“Consequences? Daddy is a businessman, first and foremost! And he pays a pretty penny to keep the law at bay—or so he claims.”
“True,” Frannie begins with a patient smile. “But we both know that’s not all he is, Aria.”
I sigh and bury my face in my hands. “I know that, Frannie! What am I going to do if he doesn’t come back? Where is he?”
She wraps her arms around me reassuringly. “You’ll be fine, Aria. You’ve never had to discover how strong you are until now, but this is the perfect time to find out. Mr. Morgan might come back, or he might not, but you still have a life to live.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right, but I’m not ready to learn to live without Daddy, even if we basically live separate lives anyway.
“Can you stay a while, Frannie? Keep me company so I don’t go strangle the biker across the hall?”
Frannie laughs and shakes her head. “I’ll stay, but only because I think you secretly fancy that hot biker more than you let on.” She wiggles her eyebrows and playfully nudges my shoulder.