Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“They stay.” Keir pulls out the seat at the head of the table where Scott usually sits. No one else is allowed to sit in that seat, so when I glance at him, I’m surprised he doesn’t say anything. He’d be stupid to say a word, and I doubt he’s that foolish.
“Sit,” Scott tells me, nodding his head to a seat in front of where he’s standing. I walk over, and he pulls the seat out. I sit, and his hands land on my shoulders, not quite squeezing but holding me in position. A silent and subtle threat.
I can feel Keir’s gaze on me.
“She is beautiful, is she not?” Scott says to him, but Keir says nothing. “To what do I owe this surprise visit?” He looks back to Joey and Lucas. “And to have your men enter my home under false pretenses as well.”
“You have something that is mine,” Keir states.
“I have nothing of yours.”
“You know of the laws of our families, Scott. Let’s not play this game. I guarantee I will beat you.”
“I do know the laws.”
“And you know of the ties between Adora’s family and mine.”
Scott’s fingers dig into my shoulders. “Her father broke that, not me.”
“You were aware of it, Scott. Do not play coy with me.”
“Yes, I was aware.”
“I’ve come to take back what is rightfully ours.”
“You can have her.” There’s no argument from Scott. “I’ll keep her sister and our son.”
Abigail’s eyes go wide.
Keir glances at her, then to Joey. “Joey?” he questions, and my heart picks up pace.
Joey walks over to Abigail and stands directly in front of her. “Would you like to come back with me or stay here?”
“You,” she answers without hesitation.
My hands are sweating, and my leg won’t stop bouncing. I can’t go. I can’t.
“You can,” Keir says to me, his tone cold and expression steadfast. I didn’t even realize I said it out loud. “Would you rather your sister wed Joey?” My eyes find Joey, but he doesn’t even look at me.
“No.”
“So, you either come back and deal with the mess you made, or Abigail is his.”
“I can’t,” I say on a broken whisper. “I can’t.” Tears are now streaming down my face.
This can’t be happening.
He can’t demand this of me.
I can’t leave Jerome here.
“I have to stay. I request to stay,” I quietly state, the words leaving my lips on a breath as I glance at Joey. “Don’t take me. I can’t take another loss.”
He looks straight through me as if he doesn’t even care. No emotions flicker in his eyes, but they’re soulless. How could he do this to me? It's like everything he felt for me never existed.
“Bubble, Joey. Bubble!” I scream, standing abruptly and pushing Scott’s hands off my shoulders with little resistance. As I hurry over to him, I can feel all eyes on me. I reach him before anyone can stop me, gripping his shoulders so tight that I feel like I might break my own fingers.
His eyes, so uncaring, stare down at me. The very same eyes that once worshiped me. I did this, I know, but the hurt is evident.
“You burst that all on your own.” He doesn’t shrug me off, just stays where he is.
My hands drop to my sides, losing all faith as I stare into his blue orbs. “I’m sorry, Joey. He has my son. I had to leave.”
“Shit way of going about it,” Lucas interjects.
I don’t even bother glancing his way. It was shit, I know, but I knew I had to come back.
It was time.
Scott destroyed my bookstore and possibly even found my sister. Unfortunately, there was no other choice.
“That’s an understatement,” Joey adds. He looks past me at my sister. “Abigail, it’s time we go.” As she stands to obey, he looks to Keir. “Adora can stay.”
“Joey?” Keir questions.
“We got one. That’s what I will take.”
Tears are streaming down my cheeks now. I can’t stop them and can’t seem to form words.
I consider myself a strong woman.
Independent, at the very least.
Now… right now, I want nothing more than for Joey to wrap me in his arms and call me his darling. I’ve missed his touch and endearment every single day since I left. But he does neither as my sister strides past me and straight to him. He reaches for her, and she goes willingly.
I look into his eyes one last time.
“You made this choice,” is all he says, and there’s still no feeling in his words or disposition.
“So I get to keep her?” I hear Scott ask from behind me.
Keir stands from his chair, and everyone looks to him for his final decision. “She is no longer our concern.” He nods to Lucas and Joey, who turn and start walking out the door.
“Abigail.” She doesn’t look back as she follows Lucas. Keir walks past next, leaving with them.