Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 64066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
He nods. “We were friends. All three of us were.”
“Why did he leave?”
“His parents died. That was the last contact we had of him. I didn’t even know he still lived here. Your father never shared any of that with me.”
“So, you didn’t know he was the arranged part of my marriage?”
Alec shakes his head. “No, I knew that your man was chosen by your grandfather many years ago, and your father was to abide by that contract.” He pauses. “He has old beliefs. Marriage is a strong bond within the family.”
I nod. I know all of this.
“He moved me in.”
“You are to be his wife. I would do the same.”
My head swings to him. “This isn’t fair. Why can’t I say when I get married like a normal person? It’s hard. This shit’s all too hard.”
He grabs the bottle of wine and fills me back up.
There’s a knock on the door, and his phone rings at the same time. He answers and places it on speaker.
My father starts speaking in Greek. “You did what? Tell me you did not.”
Alec looks over at me. “She’s safe.”
“She is safe with her soon-to-be husband, who should arrive at any minute. He asked for permission to kill you for touching her… I didn’t grant his request. But don’t think I won’t in the future, Alec. Stay out of this. It’s none of your business.” My father ends the call abruptly, and the knock on the door comes again.
I stand and Alec grabs hold of my arm.
“You can run, I will hide you.”
Taking a deep breath, I reach up and kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Alec. But I’ve been groomed for this my whole life. I knew the day would come and I’m luckier than some. At least I have feelings for the man I’m set to marry.”
Alec doesn’t say a word as I walk toward the door, and when my hand touches it Alec says, “If you want to run, twirl your hair, and I’ll get you out of all of this, Everly. It’s simple, just do as I say.”
Shit! Alec never calls me Everly. I don’t know why his tone is so serious, or feels so ominous, so I just nod, letting him know I understand what he’s said.
I open the door to deal with my devil. One who’s extremely angry and standing in front of me right now. His eyes roam me over to see if I’m fine before they go to the person not far behind me. I hear his breathing become heavier with each passing breath, and as he goes to step forward, I place my hand on his chest. “Take me home.”
His eyes fall to me, the storm within them not slowing as he reaches for my hand, grips it tight to the point of pain, and pulls me toward the waiting car. There’s no driver this time. Gunner never drives. He opens the passenger door, and after I climb in, he slams it shut and turns to where Alec’s standing watching us.
“You try that again, I will kill you. Permission or not!” Gunner’s voice sends shivers all over my body before he walks around and climbs into the driver’s seat. He presses the ignition and speeds off, kicking up stones, while I grip the car door, silently watching him. His hand clutches the steering wheel so hard his knuckles go white as he drives. His mouth stays in a tight thin line as he speeds around the corner, not speaking to me.
When we reach the front of his apartment, he slams on the brakes and throws open his door then slams it shut.
I sit there, not wanting to be around him right now.
It’s safer in the car. It’s safer in the car, I whisper to myself.
Closing my eyes, I try to calm myself when my door is swung open and Gunner’s back in my line of sight. His hand comes down and he offers it to me.
“I won’t bite, now,” he says as I place my hand in his. He guides me inside his house, well, I guess, now it’s our house. Though, I’m not sure if it will ever really feel like home.
“I don’t know if I want to marry you,” I say as we walk inside.
“That’s not up to you. You have no say in this. But just so you know. Right now, I don’t want to marry you either.” He drops my hand, almost throws it down, and walks away leaving me standing there by myself.
I hear the bedroom door slam shut, and I go to the couch and curl up in a ball.
I dream of a sober me, one that isn’t so drunk on Gunner Reid.
19
I wake to my body being lifted and warm hands being wrapped around my waist, as he pulls me to him. I feel safe, loved at this moment, while in his arms half-asleep. I can feel his bare chest against my arms as he places me on the bed. He hovers over me, pushing my hair from my face, then he speaks to me in a tender voice, one I’m not sure he’s used before with me.