Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
“Who is this?” he asks.
“Daddy, this is Killian King, my…” She freezes.
I step up and slide my hand against her waist. “I’m her husband.”
He scowls. “Excuse me—did I hear you correctly? Did you say you’re married?”
“Yes…” she drags out the one syllable.
“Wait, did you say Killian King, as in King Enterprises?” he asks.
“Yes, sir.” I hadn’t told Magnolia because the sale hadn’t gone through until we boarded the flight here and I didn’t know how she’d feel.
“You bought out my debt. Is that why you married him?”
“You were in debt?” Magnolia asks.
“I didn’t want to worry you. It’s not your burden, sweetheart, and you didn’t have to marry this man for it.”
“She didn’t. Now, if you would please invite us in, it would be nice. Your daughter is getting cold, and I’m not going to tolerate her discomfort. If you wish, we can discuss the debt later. However, I won’t allow my wife to be treated poorly; we can always stay in a hotel.”
Her father looks down at her to see her bunched up tightly at my side. “No, sorry. Maggie Pie, come in. Your mother is going to lose it, but she can’t wait to see you.”
We entered the house and a woman who looks like an older, redheaded version of my wife steps out of a hallway. “Oh, my sweet day. You’re here,” her mother cheers, coming toward us. She stops in her tracks to take me in.
“Dear, this is Killian King, Magnolia’s husband.”
“What?” Her eyes move to Magnolia’s waist and back up again. “Are you pregnant?”
“Not yet,” I answer. “Or at least that we know of. It’s a possibility.” My sweet, embarrassed wife nudges me in the ribs. I ignore the little gut check because it’s cute. “Don’t hurt yourself.”
“Everything happens quickly in New York, but you could have least told us.”
“I apologize, but we can have an official wedding later in the spring if you’d like.” Magnolia turns her head up to me with shock, lips parted, eyes wide. “Unless you don’t want that,” I added. It’s her choice either way. I kiss her forehead because I can’t resist. Damn, that sweet expression of wonder and surprise in her gaze turns me on so damn much that I’d love to bend her over and slam my fat cock inside her, but I promised to behave.
She shakes her head. “Um…no, I don’t.”
“Okay.”
“Well, please come in. May I offer you something to drink? Please tell me you’re staying for Christmas.”
“That would be wonderful, and yes, that is the plan if it is acceptable to you,” I say.
“We’d like to get to know more about your relationship.”
“Absolutely.” I wink. We both remove our coats.
“What about all of your security?”
“They can remain outside or in their vehicles for the time being.” I wasn’t going to impose on them just yet. They had plenty of room and my men could easily stay in their workhouses. I knew the layouts already. We had done research before we came.
“How many are there?” my father-in-law asked.
“Several have checked into the hotel, and two are with us here.”
“They can come in from the cold and stay in the sunroom. There is a television, and I believe there is at least one football game on right now.” Magnolia’s family was extremely inviting, and I appreciated it. Their kindness eased the tension and made it so I didn’t have to show my true colors.
“Thank you, Mrs. Hill. Where are your sons?”
“They are out doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. Boys.”
“Yes,” I nod. We linger in an uncomfortable silence, but then a timer goes off and Mrs. Hill excuses herself and Magnolia offers to help.
“Now that we’re alone, I know exactly who you are. I had someone look into your dealings. I don’t like you with my daughter, but you’re better than that last piece of shit she was dating.” Instantly, my attention is piqued. Who the fuck is the old boyfriend?
“Do tell.”
“I hated the little prick. He’s the reason she fled to New York.” I knew she had a reason and this fuck was it. I should thank him, but I wanted his head on a platter. “The little pussy cheated on her at prom of a places. He probably used my daughter and then moved on to the next girl as soon as he could.” I had every intention of behaving while I was here, but my sweet little Magnolia didn’t deserve to be treated that way.
“He’s a weak excuse for a man, but your daughter was too smart to be seduced by him.” I know because I bought and paid for my wife’s innocence and worshipped it. “What’s the little bitch’s name?”
“Joshua Simones.”
“As in the Simones who own the banking in the town and the surrounding area?”
“Yes. As you can see how things went south for us. A little mistake paperwork led to an audit an weeks of fees and taxes only to delay my work. Then I was forced to put the business on hold because they froze my assets only to release them after the audit revealed no errors, but I couldn’t tell her.” I thought things didn’t seem right when I looked into her family’s business. I wanted to know what I was walking into and my guy found out they were debt, but it was sudden. Their records before it were spotless and they were doing well. Then they were about to be bankrupt out of the blue.