Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
However, they can’t stay away long with the engagement party at the end of the week and all the other events coming up. I asked Ethan to team up with Royce to make sure Ally is safe. I agree with Clay, for now, we need to keep her hidden until we get to the bottom of all this.
Those wigs she’s been wearing go a long way to change her appearance. That was a great idea on Cane’s behalf. They even fooled me.
“This place is nice,” Cee says, grabbing my attention.
I look up from my plate as she sits across from me. Her hair is pin straight tonight. She went to see her usual stylist and now her hair frames her gorgeous face like fine red silk. I wanted to take her on a date to get her mind off things. We’ve been fighting about Ally a lot.
I didn’t want to get in the middle of this but now that I know the truth, I need to do all I can to protect my wife and all she holds dear as well as my brother who’s truly trying to do the right thing.
However, I’m not telling this woman about the danger her sister has found herself in. Chloe will try to throw herself in the middle of things. I won’t have that.
“How’s the wedding planning coming along?”
“I have one more fitting coming up. The invitations will be arriving this week, if all goes well and they look good, your mom has been talking about a tea party with the girls to get them sent out. It’s going…”
“But?”
“I might be distracted with the show’s details. It’s all so overwhelming.”
“Eric hasn’t been carrying his weight with the planning?”
“No, no, he has, and your mom has planned so much of the wedding, I haven’t had to do much, but it’s all happening so fast.”
I take a sip of my brandy. “It is a lot all at once. Maybe I should take some time off to help.”
“You know you don’t have time for that but thank you for offering.”
“I’d make time if you need me.”
Her cheeks start to glow. This is the type of night I was hoping for. We need to focus more on us. She gives me a coy smile.
“There is something you can do for me,” she says.
“Name it.”
She tips her head to the side. “What’s going on with Ally? Where did she and Cane go?”
I groan and roll my eyes. She knows I won’t lie to her, so she’s been trying to corner me with questions which always end up in an argument. Something I wanted to avoid tonight.
I hold my hand up. “Don’t. Tonight is about us. I don’t want to fight. We’re going to steer clear of all Ally and Cane talk.”
She purses her lips. I can see the defiance in her eyes, but she nods and starts back on her food. Maybe my surprise tonight will bring us back to neutral ground.
What Chloe doesn’t get is that I’m always going to cover her and anything or anyone connected to her. I have this under control.
“Did you pick a dress for the engagement party?”
“I’m going with the gold one,” she says.
I smile. That was the one I was hoping she’d pick. She looked so sexy when she tried it on. I look forward to Saturday evening. We may already be married, but I look forward to showing her off as my fiancée.
I feel for my brother. I couldn’t imagine being married as long as he has been and holding it in as a secret. I blame my father, he placed all our backs to the wall and forced our decisions. I still don’t understand his endgame.
“What are you thinking about? You’re grinding your teeth.”
“Nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing.”
“It’s a conversation with my father I’ve yet to have. Again. None of that matters tonight.”
* * *
Chloe
“A few more steps and we’re there,” Gregor whispers in my ear.
I step forward carefully. Anticipation is building in my tummy. I have no idea where he’s taking me. This date has been nice so far. I don’t know what he can do to top the restaurant, but I’m expecting something amazing from the excitement that’s been coming off him during the ride here.
I wanted to be angry with him for not answering my earlier question, but after sneaking off to the bathroom to text my sister and her snarky ass reply, I decided to allow her to be grown and bump her damn head. At least, I’m trying to.
Honestly, I’ve been toying with the idea of seeing a therapist. I have so much pinned-up anger. I can’t get the bubble back from Dubai, so I need to figure out how to deal with what I’m facing now.
“Okay, we’re here,” Gregor breathes, breaking into my thoughts.