Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
I sit up straight and roll my shoulders back. “What did you just say?”
“Basil and Yannis want to meet in Italy. I’m to make the trip with you, Anthony, and William.”
“Leave them out of this.”
“Joshua,” Blake says in warning.
“Leave them out of this,” I repeat.
I stand, vibrating with rage. I’m going to kill him. I never thought my father would stoop so low.
“Joshua, sit back down. I’m not done.”
“What else could you possibly have to say?”
“I don’t think he gets what he’s doing. He doesn’t know he’s been betrayed and will be again.”
“Well, aren’t you forgiving. I’m not. In my father’s case, stupidity is a choice. He’s only blind when it serves him.”
With that, I turn to leave, tasting my father’s blood. He’s going to pay for this. I don’t care about the consequences.
“Josh, Josh, Joshua,” Blake roars behind me.
I ignore him and keep walking. There’s only one person I want to talk to, but I doubt there will be much talking.
Shawna
I came up to the cabin, hoping to get a chance to come clean with Ven. She’s my cousin, so I feel this should come from me. I also knew I’d have Lex here to support me.
So why haven’t I been able to spit the words out? I’m here hiding out in the bathroom, too chicken to look my cousin in the eye and tell her I’m married to her best friend.
“Grow up, Shawnnie. Go out there and tell the truth. Stop all the lying.”
I’ve been lying since I got here. I could have just come clean when Ven asked what was going on with me and Josh. To be honest, I think I’m lying because if I speak the truth, the seams are going to start to burst.
I should’ve asked Josh why he needed to be engaged, but I’ve been dodging asking that question for three weeks now. I keep replaying the look on his face when he slammed the door in that woman’s face over and over.
That wasn’t my husband. Jeff’s words have been playing on repeat in my head.
Josh has more than one side. There’s Josh, Joshua, and Kelex. You never know which you’ll get.
I’m thrown back in time to the night I called while he beat the crap out of that man’s car. Then the way he nearly vibrated with rage when he first met me. As if holding himself back from turning to go find Danny.
What do I really know about him? Maybe the truth should stay hidden so I don’t open Pandora’s box. I shake my hands out in front of me.
“Shawnnie, you okay in there?”
I startle and turn to look at the closed door. “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll be right out, Lex.”
“Okay, I’m going to make AJ something to eat. Are you hungry?”
“Sure, I could eat something.”
“Okay, see you downstairs.”
I wash my hands and splash some water on my face. I guess I’ve been hiding long enough. When I go to step out, my phone rings.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Please hold for Mr. Kylix,” a male voice says on the other end of the line.
I stand with my brows drawn. Joshua never goes by that last name and he always calls me direct. It’s not until I hear the voice on the other end that I know I’m not holding for my husband.
“Hello, am I speaking to Shawna Norris?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“My name is Ulysses Kylix. I am—”
“Joshua’s father. Yes, I know who you are.”
Josh never talks about his father. I’ve always gotten the feeling it’s a sore subject. Knowing my cousin Lex and how she was with her dad, I’ve always tried to respect that.
“And yet, I don’t know you very well. Other than the fact that you’re Monica Norris’s daughter and you’re seeing my son.”
“How can I help you?”
“I’d like for you to have dinner with me. That way, we can get to know each other. You have become family, after all.”
I chew on my lip. He knows I’m Josh’s wife. I don’t know if this is a good or a bad thing.
“I’ll have to speak with Josh. Can I get back to you?”
“We really don’t have to involve him just yet. It’s one dinner. Just the two of us. Once you get to know me for yourself, then we can involve my son.”
“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Like I said, I’ll think about it and speak to Josh first.”
“Okay, my dear. I’ll be in touch. I hope to get to meet you soon.”
I hang up and stare off into space. I don’t know if this is a good thing or not. I’ll have to talk to Josh later.
Chapter 66
Target
Shawna
Two weeks later…
“I’m sorry, but the answer is still no. Josh wouldn’t like it. I can’t,” I say into the phone.
“Allow me to worry about my son. It’s only dinner. Next week, yes? I’ve made reservations at Château Brione for Monday, seven o’clock.”