Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
He laughs, which takes me by surprise. “Oh yeah, and how did my sister take it when you told her that?”
I jut my chin at him. “She thinks I’m wrong and refused to walk away.”
He leans back in his chair. “And your club? What do they have to say about this?”
Fuck, I’m not explaining the ol’ lady situation to her brother. “As far as they’re concerned, she’s my wife, and they’ll protect her as a member of the club.”
His jaw tightens. “Did you get married?”
I shake my head. “No, but in the club's eyes, we are.”
He’s way calmer about this than I expected him to be, and I’m about to ask him about it, but he surprises me. “Ya know, I’m good friends with Walker. Do you know Walker?”
Walker—who owns half the town. The man that runs mercenaries in the compound across from our clubhouse. The man that is sort of my boss since our club answers to him. “Everyone knows Walker.”
He nods. “Right, well, we’re friends, and I talked to him about you and your club.”
“You asked about me?”
He stands up and starts pacing. “Yeah, when you asked about my sister at the wedding a few months ago, I found out everything I could on you.”
Fuck, I wasn’t ready for this. I’m ready to defend my past and everything I stand for when Cruz turns to stare at me. “Do you make her happy?”
I shake my head. “Honestly, right now, I think I piss her off more than anything, but I keep thinking she deserves better.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Better than a man that disobeys orders. A man that was told it wasn’t safe to enter but did so anyway and saved six women and children from being trafficked. Walker told me all about you, Ben, and I’m not sure my sister would find a better man than you… I mean if you plan to make her happy and quit pushing her away.”
I stand up when he brings up my past. I relive that day every day. I was so scared, but I could hear the kids crying, and I knew I couldn’t just leave. I had to try and save them. It was luck—and the fact that Walker’s men showed up to do a removal—that we all made it out alive. “I was at the right place at the right time.”
He tilts his head and looks at me. “You may be right, but I also know that some men would have walked away without a backwards glance.”
I shake my head. “I couldn’t.”
He nods and sits on the edge of his desk. “Do you love my sister?”
Fuck yeah, I do but I also think she should be the first one I say it to. I’m about to tell him that when there’s a noise behind me. “Do you love me?”
Lexi is standing behind me with her hand on her hip. She lets her hand fall and walks toward me. “Do you?”
Fuck, even though I didn’t say the words, I thought for sure I showed her. “Yeah, princess, I love you.”
I walk toward her and put my hands on her shoulders. “I love you more than anything, Lexi, and even though I know you deserve better than me, I promise to become the man you need. I will love you and always put you first—before me, before my club, before everything.”
She lifts her head and searches my eyes. “And you’ll quit trying to push me away when things get tough.”
“I won’t push you away again, princess.”
She smiles ear to ear and then laughs. “I won’t let you.”
Cruz comes over to stand by us. “Can we finish our conversation now?”
Lexi leans into me. “Come on, Bub. Ben is who I want to be with.”
Cruz looks at his sister. “You have to finish school.”
Lexi rolls her eyes. “Duh, I graduate in less than three months.”
He puts his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “And what are your plans after graduation?”
Lexi puts her hand in mine. “I’ll have more time on my hands, and I’ll expand my business.”
“In Whiskey Run?”
Lexi looks at me, and I nod my head. She assures her brother, “Yes, in Whiskey Run.”
Cruz groans. “Fine. You have my blessing. Be good to her, Ben.”
“Always,” I promise him.
He walks over to the door of his office. “I’m going to talk to Tara. You two want to join us for lunch?”
Lexi holds up a finger. “Yeah, Red’s Diner?” When he nods, she tells him, “You two go ahead, and we’ll meet you there.”
He is about to walk out of his office and stops. “Don’t be long.”
“Got it,” she agrees, and as soon as Cruz walks out the door, she’s in my arms, and I’m kissing her because having her in my arms is not enough.
“I love you,” I whisper to her between kisses.