Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“He said I was betraying Mom by seeing you. He told me if I didn’t swear to stay away from you, I’d be sorry. I told him it was my life and my decision. Then he… I really am sorry. I didn’t think he’d stay bad stuff about you to the lair and then yell at you, I thought he’d yell at me. Then when he got punished by Knox, Dad was really mad at me. He said I should have just left well enough alone.”
“Why would Bray blame you for what Roan did?” asked Devon, folding her arms. “That’s shitty.”
“Roan flies into rages sometimes,” said Kellen. “I get blamed for ‘setting him off.’” His eyes cut to Harper. “I wasn’t sure if you’d blame me too.”
Harper exhaled heavily. “Roan did what he did because he’s an ass, not because of anything you did or didn’t do. I do not blame you. Got me?”
Swallowing, he nodded curtly. “Yeah. Bray and Roan won’t like that I’ve come here, but I heard that Mom spoke to you. I figured if she could, I should be able to, right?” He jutted out his chin.
“Right,” said Harper, “so come tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself lately.”
Tanner then returned outside so Khloë could lock the front door and flip the sign to “Closed for Lunch.”
Harper led Kellen into the back room, where all five of them took a seat at the table and dug into the deli takeout. As they ate, he and Harper caught up on what had been happening in their lives. She hadn’t realized how much she’d liked their little talks until he stopped answering her calls. Over the years, she’d seen Roan and Kellen from afar. Had wondered what they were like. Roan might be an ass, but Kellen was a sweet kid who didn’t bother with swagger to try to fit in. He just was who he was, and she respected that.
It was shortly after they had finished lunch that there was a knock at the front door.
“I’ll get it,” announced Devon, disappearing out of the room. She returned moments later with Knox, who looked as hot and tempting as ever.
Harper smiled at him, and her demon practically rubbed its hands with glee. “Hey there.”
Knox stroked a hand over her hair and nodded at her brother, surprised to see him. “Kellen. I trust you won’t shut Harper out like that again.” It was a pressing suggestion that carried a threat.
Kellen swallowed nervously. “I won’t.”
“Good.” Knox suspected the teenager didn’t realize how much it had hurt Harper when he cut contact with her, but Knox knew. And he had no intention of allowing it to happen again. Turning back to Harper, Knox asked, “How long before you’re done here?”
Rising from her seat, Harper started clearing the table. “We’re closing at two today so we can go to the BBQ, remember. You’re invited too.”
“Ah, yes,” said Knox. He’d forgotten about that, what with all that was going on. “I’m afraid you won’t be going to the BBQ.”
She slowly lifted a brow. “I won’t.”
“No, because I need you to come with me somewhere.”
“Yeah? Where?” she asked, intrigued and wary at the same time. He just gave a crooked, enigmatic smile.
“Don’t worry, you’ll like it.”
“So this is a surprise for her?” Raini asked Knox, looking excited on Harper’s behalf.
“Yes,” replied Knox, amused to see that his mate was looking at him suspiciously. He wondered if she’d ever like surprises. He doubted it. “Meet me at my office after you’re done here.”
“Seriously, where are we going? Where are you taking me?” Harper couldn’t keep the impatience out of her voice. The truth was that she wasn’t a fan of surprises or delayed gratification. And he damn well knew it.
His mouth curved. “You’ll see.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
After a short flight on the private jet, Harper found herself standing on a pier where a line of boats rocked gently as their owners waxed, cleaned, or hauled on supplies. The sun sparkled off the exteriors, seeming to somehow illuminate them. That same sun beat down on her, prickling her cheeks and nose. The seagulls flying overhead cawed and screeched.
None of that held her attention.
She was too busy staring at the breath-taking, four-decked, gleaming white mega yacht in front of her. All sleek fiberglass and polished wood, it was a sight to behold. “That’s pretty impressive.”
“Thank you,” said the demon at her side.
She blinked up at Knox. “It’s yours? Of course it’s yours. Dumb question.” She should be used to his level of luxury by now.
“Ours,” he corrected. What was his was hers, as far as Knox were concerned.
“We’re going to spend the weekend on the yacht?” The only clue he’d given her as to where they were going was that she’d need bikinis.
“I want us to have some uninterrupted time together.” They hadn’t had enough of it recently; he’d neglected her again, and he hated that. Although Tanner and Levi were coming along, they would give them space. “It will be good for us.”