Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
I gape at my cousin, stunned by how harsh he's being. I knew he wouldn't be thrilled about my surprise marriage to Dalton, but damn. He's just being mean now.
"Maybe you should go," I say coldly, my voice trembling.
"Yeah, maybe I should." He shakes his head in disgust. "You clearly don't need me here."
He brushes past me, stalking toward the door, his body rigid with anger. Tears well in my eyes as a sob catches in my throat. He can't leave like this. We never fight, not really. I don't want to fight with him now, not about this.
"Triton, wait. I…" I reach out for him, desperate to make peace, to make him understand. He doesn't have to trust Dalton. He just has to trust me. I'm happy. Can't that be enough for now?
But he ignores me as if I didn't speak at all, ripping the hotel room door open so hard it bounces off the wall.
Dalton's standing on the other side, his brows furrowed, his hand raised as if to knock—so damn handsome he takes my breath away even now when I want to cry.
Triton sees him and scowls, his handsome face twisted with loathing.
"Hey," Dalton murmurs.
"Congra-fucking-lations," Triton snarls in response, his voice dripping venom as he shoulder-checks him, stomping out into the hallway.
"Triton!" I call, horrified by how nasty he's being. Dalton hasn't done anything to deserve it. Neither of us have.
But Triton ignores me yet again, disappearing down the hallway with a muttered curse. A second later, his door slams hard enough to rattle windowpanes.
Dalton glances after him before stepping into the room, his brow furrowed with concern as he looks at me. I press my palms to my hot cheeks, trying to calm myself down so I don't break down sobbing.
"Is everything okay, baby?" he asks, his deep voice gentle as he sets our bag of food on the table, crossing to me. "Triton seems pissed."
"He's fine," I lie, forcing a smile I don't feel. "He's just worried about me."
Dalton arches a skeptical brow. "You sure about that? I could hear the two of you yelling from down the hall."
"I'm sure." It's a lie. I'm not at all sure. But the last thing I need is Dalton hating Triton as much as Triton apparently hates Dalton. "Triton has always looked out for me and the company. He's…protective."
Dalton grunts, clearly not buying my excuses.
"It's always been the two of us," I whisper. "His father is an alcoholic. Mine doesn't care about anything except money. My mother loves him desperately, but he barely has time for her. He certainly never had much for me growing up. But I always had Triton."
But I'm not sure I do anymore. He feels so damn far away, and I understand why. This is what we always dreamed about—me taking over the company, finally being able to do everything we wanted without my father stepping in to quash any plan he didn't like. When did that change?
Dalton pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I go willingly, burying my face in his throat, desperately trying to absorb his warmth. But not even the feel of his arms around me eases the painful knot in my stomach.
I knew Triton didn't like the idea of me marrying Dalton, but I didn't realize he was this angry about it. His reaction feels…off to me somehow. There's an undercurrent of something dark and bitter to his animosity that I don't like.
I feel like I'm missing something, and that worries me.
But I can't do anything about it now. Trying to talk to Triton when he's this angry and unreasonable won't get me anywhere. It never has. Until he's calmed down and is ready to see reason, all I can do is wait him out and hope he comes around.
Damn him, though. There's already so much in my life that's uncertain. As much as I love Dalton, as much as I don't regret saying yes, I'm scared. Scared that he'll regret it. Scared that he'll never find room in his heart for me. Scared that my heart overruled my head and I'm going to pay for it in the end.
I need Dalton like I need air. And every damn second I spend with him, I just need him more. If he changes his mind, I won't survive it.
I could use my cousin right now. He's my rock. He always has been.
But I guess I have to be my own rock now.
I sigh, pressing a kiss to Dalton's throat.
"Are you ready to eat, baby? You need your strength. I have plans for you today," he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through me.
I tilt my head back to meet his piercing hazel gaze. "You do?"
"Mmhmm." A wicked smirk curves his lips, a glint in his gorgeous eyes. "They involve you not leaving this fucking room or that bed until I've fucked you in every position I can think up."