Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Gambling.
My heart races. The drugs, I suspected. The gambling, I did not. Ashton was always so passionate about gambling; he hated it, he was against it so much that he didn’t even like people talking about it. He wouldn’t even do it for fun. He used to tell me how dangerous it could be, and how it sucks people in. And here he is, sucked in by the one thing he swore would never get him in his life.
“Girlfriend is an ex-stripper, don’t know if you know that. Guessin’ she has a lot to do with this.”
That makes me feel ... strange. A little envious, I guess, because of course he’d go for someone with an incredible body and looks. But also incredibly confused. He’s a smart man; how in the hell did he let himself get so tangled up in a mess like this? Does he love her that much? Honestly? That he’d create this life for himself and risk everything?
“It explains why he’s pressing for money,” I whisper, staring at Boston’s hand that I’m still hanging onto, pressing the cold to his fingers. “I was convinced it was drugs, because of how terrible he looked, but I do admit I was confused he was trying so hard to get money just for drugs. Gambling debt explains it.”
“He’s sellin’, too. But it obviously isn’t enough. The mess he’s gotten himself into, is deeper than what he can earn from dealin’. Explains why he’s become desperate when it comes to you. You got cash, and he knows it.”
I say nothing, because, honestly, I don’t really know what to say. I’m shocked, I’m also let down. I never thought he’d intentionally hurt me or come after me. I guess the debt is big, and dangerous, and now he’s trying to bring me into it.
“If he owes that much, I guess it’s safe to say, him trashing my house isn’t the last I’m going to hear from him.”
Boston looks to me. “No, I don’t think it is. But know this, I’m goin’ to fuckin’ find him, Penelope. I’m goin’ to find him, and I’m goin’ to crush him.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea ...”
His eyes hold mine. “You’re part of my family now, it’s a fuckin’ great idea.”
That makes my heart warm, so warm it expands in my chest. I can’t deny I’ve got feelings for Boston, but I also know I need to keep trying to fight those feelings. Chantelle has them, too, that much is obvious, and I really like her. I know she’s kept her distance, it would be so incredibly unfair of me to swoop in and try and take something that I openly told her I didn’t want.
“I appreciate it, I really do,” I say, because I do need their help, even I’m not that stubborn. Ashton is playing with fire, and I’m right in the way of his burning arrow. I can’t deal with him on my own, and clearly he’s decided to go through illegal channels, which means there is no point in me trying to keep taking the legal road.
“What did you see in that fucker?”
Boston looks to me, and I flush. I hate that question, purely because what Ashton is now, wasn’t always what he was like.
“He wasn’t always like this. I’m guessing his new girlfriend had a hand in it. Maybe he was in a bad place. I don’t know. I mean, I never thought he’d even go for someone like her, let alone go to such great lengths and risk his life ...”
“Why?”
I blink. “Why what?”
“Why wouldn’t he go for someone like her?”
“She’s ... I don’t know ... cheap. She’s mouthy. And rude. And he always took pride in going for a woman that was strong, and womanly, and feminine. She’s the opposite to all of that. But, she’s gorgeous, and I guess after me, that’s probably pull enough.”
Boston is quiet for a moment, and I hate that I said that. I fucking hate it. My deepest insecurities just came flooding out, and poured all over him. I must have sounded like a complete idiot just now. He’s probably thinking of a way to let me down gently.
“Bullshit.”
His words come out strong and a little irritated
“Pardon me?”
“I said fuckin’ bullshit, Penelope.”
Crap.
“You’re honestly goin’ to sit there and tell me that he picked her because she looks like a fuckin’ Barbie doll, and he did that because he was with you for so long?”
“No offense, Boston, but I’m hardly anything in comparison.”
“You can’t be fuckin’ serious?”
He stares at me, horrified.
“Let’s just—”
“You’re the fuckin’ sunshine, Penelope. You walk in a room, and it lights up. Your laugh is like a fuckin’ melody. Your skin is as soft as silk. And you’re, without a doubt, one of the most incredibly beautiful women I’ve ever had the pleasure of layin’ my eyes on. Not only that, but you’re fuckin’ sweet as hell. There isn’t even a piece of you, that isn’t pure and good.”