Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
On that day, he’d vowed never to love, never to want, and yet, he sat before a woman who threatened that vow.
“I like it here, Caleb. I like being with you, and I don’t want to leave. Please … don’t make me.”
Staring at her, he remembered feeling so hopeful over those kittens. He wasn’t going to be his father. He refused to be like that bastard.
“I’m not going to make you go. I don’t want you to leave.” He got up from his chair and cupped her face. “I love you being here.”
He dropped a kiss to her lips and made his way into the office.
Taking a seat behind his desk, he dropped his head into his hands, knowing that if he wasn’t careful, he was going to fuck up. For a long time, he’d not let anyone in. Life had been easier being alone.
Opening his eyes, he stared at the picture on his desk. It was one of Faith in the garden. She wore a white summer dress, one that she hated and Anne made her wear. He’d thrown some water on her, and she’d attacked him right back. They’d had a water fight. He was standing with Faith, and they were both laughing. Anne had taken the picture, and as he stared at the two of them, he saw that he was in love, that he’d fallen for her.
He would do everything in his power to protect her.
Yes, he loved her. There was no denying that.
The life he lived was a dangerous one, but he’d make sure that she was always protected.
For the rest of the day, he had to take care of some business with Beast. His brother was on cloud nine with the birth of his child, and Caleb had to listen as he showed pictures.
“You’re in a miserable mood,” Beast said.
“Doesn’t it bother you that both Hope and your kid are at risk every single day?” He turned toward his brother.
“It does, Caleb. It’s why I make sure she’s protected at all times. I love Hope. I’m just too much of a selfish bastard to let her go. You can have Faith, you know. You can live in this life, and you can protect her.”
“It’s too much risk.”
“No, it’s really not. I know our father did a number on you. He took everything that you’ve ever cared about away from you. It’s given you this complex that you can’t have anything without something being taken. Our father’s dead and gone. You can have what you want, Caleb. It all depends on how hard you want to fight for it. If you want Faith with every single fiber of your being, then you’ll make it work. If you don’t, you’ll get rid of her.”
Later that night, Caleb lay in bed with Faith in his arms. She was sleeping soundly. He listened to her breathing as he stroked her hair.
Happiness was not something he was … used to. Or feeling content.
He’d killed more men than he could count on both of his hands.
Letting Faith go seemed like the safest option, and yet the pain he felt at the thought of letting her go was not something he wanted to think about.
He couldn’t let her go, even if it meant she was safe.
Caleb loved having her in his life where her smiles were all his. Sleeping at night without her would be torture. He loved the way she snuggled up against him, and if she wasn’t on her cycle, he’d be deep inside her as he slept.
Her stomach had been hurting her when he’d climbed into bed, and he’d stroked her until she fell asleep.
Caleb closed his eyes as he heard the first creak.
All of his senses went on high alert. No one should be coming up his stairs. Slowly, easing out from underneath Faith, he reached into his bedside drawer and grabbed his gun. Faith released a sigh, and he glanced over at her. She rolled, pulling the blanket over her.
Whoever was coming to his bedroom wasn’t supposed to be here.
****
Faith sat in Caleb’s study waiting for him to arrive. She’d woken up several hours ago to Caleb attacking an intruder. The man had been holding a gun, and for a few seconds she’d been completely scared that Caleb would get killed. He’d overpowered the man, and now Beast was there, and they were in the basement. She’d spotted the cleaning van that had already arrived. She sipped at the strong brandy she’d poured herself, waiting.
She hated waiting.
Whoever the man was, he’d killed one of the guards on the door. There were supposed to be two, so she knew without a doubt that someone was about to have a very bad night, or at least morning.
She turned toward the door when she heard it open, and there her man stood. He’d gotten changed into sweats, and he looked … angry.