Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
His eyes crinkled a little, like he was happy to play along. “Of course I would. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” His gaze flicked to Brandon. “And this asshole tried to kill you, so… yeah. I would.”
My lips tilted up, and warmth tightened my chest. “Wow… you really love me, don’t you?” I waited for his sexy-smile and nod before glancing at Brandon. “Well… in that case—”
“No! Serenity! You can’t be serious?” Brandon’s eyes widened. “Look. I’ll sign the divorce papers right now. You’ll never have to see me again. I promise. Just… you can’t let him kill me.”
“Yeah… but there’s more to it now. What about everything that happened today? Can you keep your mouth shut about Johnny and Aubree and what happened to them?”
He swallowed. “Absolutely. Already forgotten.”
“And the divorce papers?”
“I’ll sign them first thing in the morning.”
“Just to make sure you’re telling me the truth…” I slowly reached over to touch his arm. He flinched, but couldn’t move away from my touch. He closed his eyes like it would be painful, and I shook my head.
Concentrating on him, I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. I caught a glimpse of him arguing with the woman from the club. Her face was scrunched up in anger, and she was telling him it was over.
Hmm… did that mean he’d signed the papers and had none of the millions he’d promised her? I tried not to smile and glanced at Nate. “I think he’ll go through with it. I don’t love it, but I guess I’m good with it… unless he changes his mind.”
Nate’s lips twisted. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
I huffed out a big sigh and sized Brandon up, like I wasn’t sure, before turning back to Nate. “It is.”
He shook his head, like he was disgusted, and turned to Brandon. “As much as I don’t want to do it, I guess that means that I have to cut you loose.” He pulled out his knife. “Go ahead. Stand up.”
Brandon lurched to his feet, but before he could turn around, Nate grabbed his shoulder and held the knife to his throat. “But know this, sleazebag. If you don’t do everything you agreed to, your life is over. I will come for you. Understand?”
Brandon swallowed, and his throat bobbed before he nodded.
“Good.” Nate lowered his knife. “Now turn around.” He cut through the zip-tie, and Brandon quickly backed away. Rubbing his wrists, he hurried toward the front door. Pulling it open, he rushed out of the house like his pants were on fire.
I glanced at Nate. “That was oddly satisfying. Thank you.” His smile melted my heart, and he pulled me into his arms.
“Anyone else you want me to threaten?”
“Um… not right now.”
“Good, because I’m beat. What a day.”
“No kidding. When Johnny shot you…” I shook my head. “Every time I shut my eyes, I still see it happening.” I couldn’t help the shudder that ran through me. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“Babe… I was afraid of losing you, too. If it wasn’t for that stupid dog—”
“What dog?”
He explained his adventure through the neighbors’ back yard and how he’d ended up in a tree house and missed my call.
“Oh my gosh!” I shook my head. “From now on, you’re carrying your lucky stone everywhere you go. And if you won’t, I will.”
“Sounds good to me.” His lips lowered to mine in a tender kiss. Pulling away, he tugged me toward my room. “Come on. I want to savor every inch of you.”
Before he could take a step, his phone rang. “Dammit!” Pulling it out of his pocket, he sighed. “It’s Detective Scardino. I’d better answer.” He swiped his phone. “Hey, Dino, what’s up?”
Nate held the phone away from his ear, and I could hear Dino yelling about an explosion. Nate shook his head and waited for him to stop before responding. “Yeah. I got that, do you want me to tell you anything, or are you going to keep yelling at me?”
Listening, he closed his eyes. “Arrest me? What for? I didn’t do anything…” Nate sighed and rubbed his forehead. “The owner of the property? Who is it?… Is that right?… good to know…” He let out a breath. “Yeah. I may know something about that, but I’m not telling you unless you can guarantee my anonymity… Sure… okay… yeah, yeah… I know the drill.” He hung up and sighed.
“What was that about? He’s not coming to arrest you, is he?”
“No, but he asked if I knew who the bodies belonged to. Then he said that the owner of the property dropped my name to them… telling them that I might have had something to do with it.”
“What? Who is it?”
“Vanetti’s competition. His name is Bruce Lawrence.”
My brows drew together. “Aubree mentioned someone named Larry. Wait… I know that name… but I don’t know from where.”