Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
Chapter 7
Calista
Over the next week, most of my belongings find their way over to Cohen’s house and things are going great. We’ve fallen into a comfortable habit where he drives me to the brewery on his way to the station, picks me up in the evenings, and we go to The Sterling Rope together.
He never says anything, but I’m pretty sure he’s always on guard, looking out for the creep who made a scene at the club last week.
Tonight is my last night at The Sterling Rope, and I’m looking forward to having my evenings free to spend more time with Cohen.
“You are so lucky.” Stacy walks up next to me and glances over my shoulder at Cohen, who’s sitting at the end of the bar making sure no one so much as breathes on me.
I know I am. Who could’ve guessed that my lead foot would lead to me finding my caveman?
“I know.” It suddenly hits me that I’m not going to see my friend as much. “I’m going to miss you, but I won’t miss working sixteen-hour days.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll come by the brewery and see you whenever I have free time.”
“You better.” I give her a hug as a voice clears behind us.
My heart drops when I turn around and see the same creepy jerk who tried to hit on me last week. I’m about to ask him what he’d like to drink when Stacy steps in. “Hello, would you like a drink, sir?”
“Not from you.” He glares at her before turning to me. “I’d like Calista to make my drink.”
Ick. How in the world does he know my name? I don’t have time to find out since Cohen steps in and growls, “Get the fuck away from my woman.”
The creep opens his mouth to argue, but Roman appears out of nowhere and calmly states, “I already told you not to bother my employees, Angelo. Since you aren’t able to follow my rules, I’m revoking your membership effective immediately. I will refund your full membership fee for your inconvenience.” He signals for Ryan to come over. “Please, escort Mr. Accardi to the exit.”
The angry mobster argues and throws heated threats around, and it ends up taking three security men to escort him out.
“Watch yourself,” Stacy leans over and whispers in my ear. “I don’t think that creep has ever heard the word no.”
“Why don’t you take the rest of the night off,” Roman tells me before turning to Cohen. “Make sure to keep an eye out. I don’t trust that bastard, and he really seems to have a hard-on for Calista.”
“I’ll cut his goddamn dick off if he comes anywhere near my woman.” Cohen slams his hand down on the bar. “Come on, speedy. We have a warm bed waiting for us at home.”
He doesn’t have to ask me twice.
We spend the rest of the weekend unpacking my things and exploring Cohen’s large property. I can’t believe he owns twenty-five acres with a huge private lake and walking trail. I’m starting to get a little worried about where he came up with the money to buy such an expensive piece of land, and I finally ask him Sunday morning over breakfast.
“Uh.” I take a sip of my coffee, searching my mind for the right words. “How in the world did you afford all this?”
Cohen sits back in his chair and shrugs. “I have a decent retirement from the army, and I’ve invested well over the years. Plus, I have a trust fund that I pretty much never touch unless it’s an emergency.”
“Trust fund?” It shouldn’t shock me to find out that he’s rich. I mean, nearly everyone in this small Texas town is stinking rich.
“From my family business.” He takes my hand in his and places a soft kiss across my knuckles. “My dad used to be a senator until he retired to take over the reins of our family business, Cranston Enterprises.”
“Holy cow. Your dad is Senator Joe Cranston?” I can’t believe I’ve been dating the outspoken former senator’s son and didn’t even know it.
“We aren’t close,” he admits. “He doesn’t agree with my life choices, and I pretty much hate the way he conducts himself.” I vaguely remember hearing about the senator’s unbending attitude and tendency to have a wandering eye.
“I don’t get along with my parents either.” I give his hand a little squeeze. “They pretty much left me to raise myself while they hopped from one bad decision to another.”
“It sounds like we both got the short end of the stick when it comes to parents,” he’s not wrong, “and we’ll never make the same mistakes with our family.”
“I love you.” The three little words flow off my tongue easily now.
“I love you, too, speed demon.”
After the blow-up at The Sterling Rope, he insists on having Giant Carmichael’s security company come in and do an overhaul of his security system.