Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Gritting my teeth, I move toward the window, pushing it open and awkwardly climbing out, scraping my arms on the frame. I hug to the side of the building and then move toward my car. One of the security spots me and begins walking toward me, but they’re here to keep people away, not stop me from leaving.
“Sir?” he calls.
I slam the car door and start the engine. As I quickly drive away, my cell phone starts to ring. I toss it on the passenger seat. This must be Lex, but I can’t think about anything other than keeping my woman safe.
My woman. I don’t give a fuck anymore. I’m tired of running and pretending. I’m tired of thinking I ever stood a chance against this desire, this certainty.
When I saw her outside The Row, I knew without a doubt. Maybe I didn’t acknowledge it then. Hell, perhaps I couldn’t, but she was mine the moment I saw her.
Speeding across the city, I promise to save my Lily no matter what I have to do or allow to be done to me. She doesn’t deserve any of this. She’s a woman who’s only ever wanted to do the right thing. She’s got the best heart of any person I’ve ever met.
I love her.
As I think the words, I let out a shaky breath. It’s the truth. I love her. I don’t care if it’s the diagnosis that has spurred me to realize this so fast. It doesn’t change the facts. I love Lily so much that it hurts thinking about a future without her. My life will have meaning if I can ensure she gets a future.
This bar sits across from the dockyard, an old chipped painting of a pirate-style tankard above the door. Two burly men swagger across the street toward me the second I pull up. I recognize them from the bar, but all these bastards begin to look alike after a while.
“Are you armed?” one of them asks as I step from the car. He’s got a flat face and a nose that’s been broken a few times. The other is big and tough-looking, too, but minus the deformed nose.
“No,” I tell him.
The other one snorts. “That was a mistake.”
“Hey, it’s his funeral. Are you going to come with us peacefully?” The one with the broken nose snaps. “Or are you going to make it difficult for us, eh?”
“At least he came alone,” the other one says.
Broken nose nods, looking at me seriously. “The boss would’ve had some fun if you’d tried any bullshit. He’s not happy. Lennie, is it good when the boss ain’t happy?”
“Not one fucking bit.”
“Come on.” The man steps forward and grabs my arm. When I instinctively move away, he squeezes on harder. “If you want to play this game, all I’ve got to do is send one text to the boss, and your girl will be in for one hell of a time. Did you seriously think we wouldn’t be watching your apartment, tough guy? We saw you go in together. Personally, she’s not my type. Go on. Lie. Tell us she’s nothing to you. We’ll take you seriously.”
I stare into his eyes, letting him know wordlessly I’d happily tear him to tiny, bloody pieces. “She’s everything to me,” I snarl.
“Good.” A shit-eating grin smears across his face. “That means you won’t try anything stupid, then.”
With no other choice, I go with the men. No weapons. No backup. I keep telling myself whatever it takes. I’ll do whatever I have to do to get my Lily, even if it means losing my life earlier than I thought I was going to anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LILY
Iwant to tell Maddie I’m sorry, but Damon has stuffed rags in our mouths. We’re tied back-to-back at the rear of the bar. Men sit around the edges, most armed, though they haven’t drawn their weapons. Damon paces up and down, punching one fist into the open palm of his other hand. He’s getting himself ready for something.
When I snuck out of the apartment and began walking down the street, a car honked its horn at me. Inside, there were two men. Both of them were mobsters. Both of them were leering at me. “Get in,” one grunted. What choice did I have?
I can’t believe I’ve put Maddie in danger. If something happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself, and what if something happens to Landon? Even if the doctor has put him on a timeline anyway, it doesn’t make any of this okay.
The door bursts open; a man drags Landon behind him. Well, he’s got his hand on Landon’s arm, but it’s clear Landon is moving on his own. Nobody could drag Landon or make him do something he doesn’t want to except by threatening me.
“Ah, finally,” Damon says, clapping his hands together. “Landon, old buddy, old pal. It’s so nice of you to join us.”