Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Chapter 24
Finn
I’m dressed and showered before the sun rises. I leave Dara a note on the nightstand, letting her know that I’ll be working all day, and that she has free rein of the house. I text Shane to make sure he can keep an eye on her while I’m busy before heading out.
I walk to the office. I like the fresh air in Boston Commons. I like stopping for a coffee at a food truck where the guy calls me boss. I like feeling normal for ten minutes as I walk, similar to the feeling I told Dara about last night, until I reach the unmarked black door with the state-of-the-art security system panel on the side. I type in the passcode, the door thunks open, and I head up to the space I rent above a deli, barely more than two big rooms and a bathroom.
My desk is in the back. I take a seat, sighing as I lean my head against the chair. My father, my brothers, they have offices in skyrises, offices filled with little worker drones in their business casual outfits with their pitches, their meetings, their water cooler conversations. Me, though, I want to be closer to the action, closer to street level. I spend most of my time in my clubs and restaurants anyway—this office is more like a meeting space, empty the majority of the day as I do my rounds, check on my guys, my crew, my employees.
Genna shows up not long after me, looking fresh as always. She slumps down in the chair across from my desk, tosses the paper over, and gives me a hard look. “Well?” she asks, eyebrows raised.
I sip my coffee. “Well, what?”
“Don’t play coy, bastard. Did you two sleep together or what?”
I tilt my head. “Not really.”
Her eyes narrow. “Not… really?”
“I ate her out until she was screaming my name.” A bit of an exaggeration, but not too wrong.
She crosses her arms, eyebrows quirked. “Really? That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
“That’s practically… gentlemanly, coming from you.”
“She’s my wife, I’m going to treat her right.”
Genna rolls her eyes, face hardening. “What’s it mean though? Did she sleep over?”
“She did, yes. I wanted to start our marriage off the right way.”
“By eating her out.” She sighs, rubbing her face. “Did you open the ceiling?”
I hesitate, looking away. “Yes.”
“God, you’re unbelievable.” Genna laughs, stretching her legs. “Well, did she like it at least?”
“Loved it, I think.” I glare at her. “Why is this so funny?”
“It’s just funny, is all. How many women have you let sleep in that big bed of yours? How many have you shown that skylight to?”
“You know how many.”
“Exactly.” He leans forward. “None.”
“What’s your point?”
“My point is you’re getting intimate with her. I only know about that fucking weird skylight and that huge bed because you showed me one time when you were drunk. You never bring women home. It’s always their place or a hotel. Except for her.”
“She’s my wife. Am I supposed to rent the penthouse just to get her off?”
“No, that’s not what I mean.” She softens a touch. “I’m just worried about you, is all. This whole thing seems really complicated and I’m not sure either of you really know what you’re doing.”
“We’re fine.” I say it sharper than I should, trying to end this miserable conversation. But Genna’s not bothered by my tone.
“You might be, but what about her? Is she going to catch feelings? Are you going to? What happens when Papa Crowley brings the hammer down and really fucks shit up? I don’t think you two will be snuggling under the stars and licking each other’s privates then.”
I rub between my eyes. “Can you not call it licking each other’s privates ever again, please? You’re seriously going to ruin all future erections.”
“I’m serious, Finn. Do you like the girl? I mean, really like her?”
“Yes,” I say, but hesitate. “And no.”
“That, right there, is a bad answer.” She points at me. “Get your shit together.”
I stand, turning my back on Genna, trying not to get pissed. She’s right to push me like this—I’ve been having the same thoughts, the same worries. I want to get closer to Dara, but where’s the line? At what point have I gone too far, and is there too far now that we’re married?
“She’s not from our world,” I say, staring out the window as the city wakes up down below us. “How am I supposed to protect her? And our child?”
“You’re supposed to be her husband.” Genna drums her fingernails on the arm of the chair. “What else can you do? I’m just saying, don’t get her hopes up is all, especially not if you plan on fucking her over in the end.”
“I don’t plan on fucking her over,” I say, turning back to give Genna a hard stare. “She’s my wife.”