Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Your family is a jackass.”
I huffed, giving him a smile for loyalty. “My family has their reasons.”
Reasons I had no intention of telling Selix, but knowing him, he’d probably already either figured it out or would snoop until he did.
“Okay, so ignoring the mother and uncle visit, even though I think you should follow and make them talk instead of using your place as their own vacation home and then fucking off without a thank you, we have other topics to cover.”
I rubbed my chin, savouring the last flavour of coffee. “I offered it to them. I don’t need thank-you cards.”
“Moving on then.” Selix pulled out his phone and glanced at whatever agenda he had to cover today.
In an hour, I was due to return to the warehouse and approve some hefty orders for new steel and a one-of-a-kind pool table that weighed more than my car for my latest client. It upset the ballast to the point our mathematicians were having trouble with the arrangement of galley and bedrooms compared to where the game room should be.
“Pim has a dentist appointment tomorrow morning before we leave port, along with an optometrist test and gynaecological exam. Michaels arranged them to ensure her overall health isn’t impaired now he knows her body is on the mend.” Selix looked up to make sure I was paying attention. “He also said the gynaecologist is a woman—for obvious reasons. He didn’t think Pim would be happy for him to perform the examination or any other man for that matter.”
Anything to do with Pim had my utmost concentration.
And it wasn’t because of last night.
I wouldn’t tell her, but I’d smoked another joint this morning. All night, I’d barely slept. I’d counted the stripes on the curtains. I’d done arithmetic and recited countries. I’d played my cello in my head until the chaos Pim caused in me quietened enough for me to sleep.
Only, my dreams had been worse than being awake.
I dreamt of fucking Pim again and again. Of her begging me to let her rest but my needs not permitting it. She was crying by the time I woke, and dawn gave me an excuse to smoke, shower, and get the hell out of there.
“Got it.” I jiggled my leg, impatience starting to build. “Share the location and time with my phone. I’ll escort her myself.”
Selix gave me a strange look before nodding and tapping a few things on his cell which in turn made mine beep with new notifications.
“We’ll depart at sixteen hundred hours tomorrow. New catering and supplies are being delivered today along with fuel. We’ll be set to travel to South Hampton, as you requested.”
“South Hampton?” I frowned. “Why the hell are we going to England again?” I couldn’t recall building a yacht for someone there, and there wasn’t anything coming up—
Ah shit, yes there is.
I groaned. “I don’t want Pim rubbing shoulders with those criminals.”
Selix laughed under his breath. “Says you with one of the largest theft records I’ve ever known.” He lowered his voice. “What’s the prison time for stealing over three quarters of a billion again?”
“Shut the fuck up,” I growled low, glancing at fellow breakfast goers. “That’s different.”
“Just because they deal in diamonds and not money doesn’t mean—”
“It means they have blood on their hands, Selix. The Hawks are not a family to be taken lightly. Especially that oldest son…whatever his name is. Ever since he took over from his father, their business has been deathly quiet. No rumours. No info. Signs that he’s either even more ruthless than the previous successor, or he has a knack for killing off rumours before they start.”
Selix consulted his phone. “His name, for your records, is Jethro Hawk. And you might be right about the ruthless part, but he’s throwing the most prestigious ball in the Northern Hemisphere. Countless clients will be there, along with others who want your skills and quality. You’re going. Who said you had to take the girl?”
My temper hissed. “She isn’t just a girl.”
His gaze tightened, judging me. “Yes, I can see that. Careful there, El.”
He knew I hated that nickname. However, for some reason, if Pim ever used it, I doubted I’d mind so much.
Hypocrisies be damned.
“Could say the same for you, Selix. Shut it.”
He smirked. “Am I confirming your attendance or cancelling? Plus one or no plus one?”
I glanced at the ceiling again. Pim had already been around enough evil without her being subjected to the Black Diamonds of Buckinghamshire. The rumours surrounding that family and ancient debts wasn’t something I wanted Pim to be involved in.
But then again, it wasn’t up to me to protect her from life. It was up to me to show her she was strong enough to handle anything with or without me.
Fuck it.
“Confirm. With a plus one.” I stood, ready for this meeting to be over. I needed to get to the warehouse, but first, I wanted to check on Pim.