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)
Trust in the Carson family had to be earned, and so far, he wasn’t impressed by what he saw from the youngest member.
“You’re not staying here.”
“Why not?”
“I work for Beast. I’m a Carson through and through. I don’t have time for your bullshit parties, or thinking you can get away with shit. It’s not going to happen. Not in my house.”
“Come on, Uncle Caleb!”
“No. I’m not falling for that little pup lost routine. You may have Beast wrapped around your finger, but I see through your bullshit, Dwayne. I’m not interested.”
This life wasn’t easy.
It was fucking dangerous, and if Dwayne didn’t take it seriously, then he was going to end up dead, and that wasn’t something Caleb was willing to deal with. Not now, not ever. Beast wouldn’t ever forgive himself if Dwayne ended up dead.
This was what made him and Beast different.
His brother had that protective feeling inside him when it came to this boy. Caleb just saw him as reckless, and in no way fit to serve them.
Dwayne sighed. “What will it take for me to become like you and Beast?”
Caleb stared at him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I don’t want to be the odd one out of this. I know what you guys do is the real shit, and I get it. I know it’s serious, and whatnot, but I want in.”
Caleb couldn’t help but start to laugh, and the weird thing was, the moment he started, he couldn’t fucking stop. The laughter just kept coming, bubbling up inside him, and he bent over, holding his stomach.
“I’m being serious here. Ass.”
Dwayne went to walk past him. Reaching out, Caleb grabbed hold of Dwayne’s neck, and pressed him up against the nearest wall.
“Being serious is realizing that walking away like that, is bullshit. Don’t even think of having a temper tantrum in my house, Dwayne. I’m not interested. In fact, I’d rather shoot you and end whatever crap you’re going to give us because right now, it’s half-assed. All you want to do is party, fuck around, and spend the money we earn. And guess what, you have a right to that because your last name is Carson. You’re not even close to being ready.”
“Then how do I get ready?”
“Report to me at five o’clock, every single day. I’ll see if I’m ready to take you seriously.”
“In the evening?” Dwayne asked.
“No, in the fucking morning. Our days start early and end late.” He released his nephew. “Get the fuck out of my house.”
He watched Dwayne leave.
The young kid was throwing his arms all over the place as if he had a reason to, and Caleb found it fucking amusing.
Once there was no trace of Dwayne, he headed to the kitchen.
“Is that boy still alive?” Anne asked.
“He’s alive, and gone for now. I don’t want him anywhere near Faith.”
Anne smiled. “I doubt that’s going to be a problem. She avoids everyone who comes here, and I can’t get her to do much more than mutter a few replies. I don’t think she’s used to talking all that much.”
Caleb leaned against the wall, staring out of the window. He caught sight of Faith in the garden. She wore another overly large shirt, and a pair of jeans again. She leaned over a rose bed and inhaled the scent.
“Why doesn’t she wear different clothes?” he asked.
Anne came to stand next to him, and smiled. “She can’t. Those are her clothes. I thought the same thing, and then I went to check out her closet while she was waiting in the library. She doesn’t have anything else, sir. Her clothes are all well-worn, and do not do her figure well at all.”
“I want you to buy her clothing,” Caleb said. He pulled his wallet out and handed her a credit card. “I don’t want you to spare any expense.”
“I certainly will. Do you want me to tell her anything?”
“Yeah, tell her to buy things she likes, and not to worry about anything else.” He turned toward his cook. “Do you have her food ready?”
“I do.”
He took both of their sandwiches and made his way out to the garden. Faith hummed to herself as she stroked the petal of one of the roses.
“You like them?” he asked, drawing her attention.
She nodded.
The air was cold, and he didn’t like the light jacket she wore.
Putting their plates on the nearby table, he removed his jacket, and placed it over her shoulders. “I’ve got plenty of jackets near the door. Wear them. I don’t want you getting cold.”
“I don’t need—”
“I’m not arguing with you over this. Pick a jacket, or don’t come outside.”
He left, grabbing himself another jacket and joining her at the table.
“You’re very bossy.”
“It’s the only way to be to get things done.” He sat down opposite her, and once again, they ate their sandwiches.