Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Clayton
Standing from my seat in the living room, I walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows and look out over the view of New York City. The brightly lit city does little to calm this uneasy feeling in my gut. I know Sid is safe, she’s on the lower level of Gregor’s place having her bridal party.
I’ve checked in with David a number of times. The ladies seem to be fine and having a good time.
Still, this feeling is coming from somewhere. I open my phone and look at the reply from Delta. I sent her a text this morning asking how hard it would be to move the wedding up. I’m willing to pay the cost no matter what it is.
“I think I should move up the wedding,” I say aloud.
“Really? Why?” Gregor replies from his seat in the accent chair. He has a cigar in one hand and a glass of brandy in the other. He’s been hanging out here while the ladies have their fun.
“I want to marry her. I don’t want to let her go when this is over.”
“So, you’re ready to admit you love her.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“I do.”
“Then tell her. This is crossing the line into playing games. That’s not you. Talk to her and let her know how you feel.”
I grunt and bare my teeth. There’s truth in his words, but at this point, I don’t know how Sid would feel and I can’t have her run away from me.
“If I reveal my hand and she doesn’t want this, then what? If I move the wedding up under the pretense of Dad forcing my hand, I have a better chance.”
“You’re going to do what you want. I can hear in your voice your mind is already made up,” he says.
I look down at the text from Delta again. According to her reply, the venue will be the biggest issue. If I can square that away she can pull strings on everything else. Sid’s gown is already ahead of schedule.
The thought of losing Sid makes me sick. I didn’t know I was missing or craving the intimacy she has brought into my life. I have someone I can let my guard down with and that has made life better as a whole.
I hit send on my reply to Delta. Levi was able to get the venue secured for an earlier date earlier this afternoon. My mind is made up. Once Sid and I are married, she’ll see how good we are together, and she’ll stay.
“I’m heading out,” Gregor says, pulling my attention.
“I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Yeah, I’ll join you for your run.”
I nod and focus outside the window. That feeling only easing a bit after expressing my thoughts and sending that text. What I really need is some time with Sid. Her in my arms and her scent surrounding me.
I widen my stance as I stare out the window and fold my arms over my chest. The moment she enters the room, my body is aware. A grin comes to my lips as she wraps her arms around my waist and places her face against my back.
“Clay, can we talk?”
I close my eyes. The sound of her voice tells me this is the reason for the tightness in my chest. I knew something was wrong.
I cover her hands with mine. “What about?”
“The closer we get to this wedding, the guiltier I feel. At what point are we going to call this off? Have you found a way out of this thing with your father?”
I turn to face her. “My lawyers are trying to find loopholes and haven’t come up with anything. At this point, I’m being advised to give him what he wants.”
This isn’t a lie. I just haven’t been focused on my father and his tactics to get us all married and have us take over the business. For me, this wedding is a win-win.
She looks into my eyes with tears. “This isn’t right. We shouldn’t be lying to all these people. There has to be another way.”
I cup her face and take her lips. I know the kiss is all-consuming, but I need her. I’ve come too close to lose her now.
She moans into my mouth and laces her fingers into my hair. I only break the kiss to let her up for air. The dazed look in her eyes causes me to power through my decision.
“There is another way. I was going to talk to you about it. I think we should move the wedding up. Dad will back off and maybe I can force your problem to show its hand.
“I’ve narrowed it down to two players, but they don’t make complete sense. Maybe going through with the wedding will get them to come out of the shadows.”