Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
My brows reached for the sky. “You really are a mafia princess. I’m scared for my life right now.”
She giggled. “I didn’t mean literally.”
“Sure,” I sang before I let the lightness bleed away. “There’s not much to tell. I finally couldn’t take his assholery any longer, and I told him it was over. He actually hit me. Can you believe that?”
I ignored the shiver of fear at what had happened when I’d gone to get my things.
“What I can believe is he’s dead.” Fury slipped over Salem’s face. “Aster’s plan is sounding incredibly reasonable right now.”
I gulped down the rest of my margarita before I grinned and poured myself another from the pitcher. “You don’t have to worry about it. I went over there to get my things, and Milo kicked his ass.”
It was out before I could stop it.
Eden’s eyes bugged out. “Um, what?”
“Yep. Karl decided to be an asshole.” I left out the gory details because the three of them would lose it, and Karl might, in fact, find himself floating at the bottom of the sea.
We definitely didn’t need a murder on our hands.
“One punch to the face and Karl was out cold. It was kind of embarrassing for the poor guy. I think he might have pissed himself, too.”
“Oh my God.” Aster laughed. “I love Milo. Such a beast.”
I giggled, and my chest stretched a little too wide with the affection I had for the man.
“I kinda love him, too,” I admitted.
“Crap, she has it bad.” Salem looked between Eden and Aster.
“I can hear you, you know,” I pouted.
“Honestly, we’re just proud of you.” Salem’s tone filled with sincerity. “I hated that you were with Karl. Hated the way he treated you. Hated that I saw you were unhappy. I never understood why.”
I searched for a valid explanation. “Once I make a commitment to someone, I have a hard time walking away.”
“I’m glad you came to the point where you realized Karl doesn’t deserve your commitment.”
No.
Only Bobby did.
But now…now I could care for my brother and be a better me while doing it.
My voice lowered with the significance. “You guys can’t tell anyone about this. Not your husbands. No one. I mean, it’s serious. I know you talk to them about everything, but this has to stay between us. We can’t risk any kind of rumors going around that we aren’t real.”
“Of course,” they all promised.
“Not even if they catch a whiff of a secret and try to withhold those delicious O’s they are so fond of giving you. Do you understand me?”
I pointed around the table at each of them.
Salem whined. “I’m not sure I’m that strong.”
“Suck it up. I’ve had to for years.”
“Fine, fine. I promise.”
“Promise,” Eden and Aster agreed.
Our hands were all back in the middle of the table again, clutching each other.
“Fantastic Foursome Oath,” I proclaimed. “It cannot be broken or unsealed.”
“That’s not a thing.” Salem laughed a throaty laugh.
“It is now. You break it, and bad, bad things will befall you.” I made sure the words came out all kinds of ominous.
She laughed. “Goober.”
“This might be rough, Tessa,” Eden whispered when the lightness wore off.
Determination took over the discomfort of her warning. “I know. But he’s my friend, and friends do whatever they can to support each other.”
“Your friend, who I bet has a giant dick.” Salem just had to add that.
“I hate you. I’m getting more margaritas.” Standing, I grabbed the pitcher and strutted toward the bar like I hadn’t wondered that very thing a thousand times.
“You know you love me.”
I swiveled to face her, walking backward when I gave her the same response she’d given me earlier. “Barely.”
I turned back around, and she called from behind, “Mad love, Tessa. Mad, mad love.”
My heart fisted, and I fought a grin.
The brat had learned all my tricks.
I set the pitcher on the bar and dug out my phone when it buzzed in my pocket, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face when I read the text.
Milo
How are you, Little Dove? Are you having fun with your friends?
So maybe the two margaritas I’d gulped down had already hit my bloodstream because I tapped out a response without giving it thought.
Me
Are you thinking about me, fiancé?
It took an entire minute for him to respond.
Milo
I shouldn’t be, but I am.
Wings fluttered in my stomach, and I jerked when a voice hit me from the side. “How about I get that pitcher for you?”
I turned to find this crazy-sexy guy who was watching me with a sly smirk from where he leaned against the bar.
Like, hello, Hottie McTottie.
I should so take him up on his offer and then have him take me to his place later. It wasn’t like there was any mistaking what his intentions were.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a speck of me that wanted to do it.