Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 178688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 893(@200wpm)___ 715(@250wpm)___ 596(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 893(@200wpm)___ 715(@250wpm)___ 596(@300wpm)
After work, I go to the gym. Luke and I throw punches for an hour, and I don’t go easy on him. Over the past few months of training him, he’s grown much stronger and has started using his head more. I’m like a proud big brother when he swings and punches me right in the chin. Fighting on the mats helps me work out my aggression just as much as it helps him.
Once the session is over, Ruby asks me if I want to get a drink with her. Everleigh is still staying at her house, but she’s been walking Sassy each day after work and spending time with her. Though I’m sweaty, it’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone, so I agree. We walk down to the pub, and she gives me shit about my demeanor.
“You gotta quit moping around like this, Tyler. Move on. Date again. Find you a side piece.” She elbows me as we sit at the bar and our beers are placed in front of us. She doesn’t know all the details about Robert and Gemma’s arrangement. I didn’t feel as if it was my place to even mention it.
I give her a look. “I’m good. Honestly. The wedding will be over soon, and I’ll eventually get back to the life I had before it.”
“The one where you did nothing but work and had no social life?”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
She sips her beer and watches parts of the football game playing on the TV. “I just worry about you. I know how much Gemma meant to you, and I hate to see you like this. That’s all.”
“Hey, I’m gonna be just fine. I just need a month or so to process it all. Things will go back to normal, I promise.”
She lifts her glass and grins. “Good. I’m gonna hold you to it. Everleigh is worried shitless about you too.”
I scoff. “She needs to make up her mind. She was lonely when I was spending time with Gemma every night, and now, she’s annoyed that I’m home. The girl needs to date.”
Ruby smirks. “If only she’d give me a real chance.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “She denied you?”
“Well, not exactly. There was a night when I thought—”
Shaking my head, I tell the bartender to bring me a shot. “I don’t wanna hear about you making moves on my sister.”
“She’s a great kisser.” Ruby winks.
“Ruby,” I warn, not knowing if she’s joking or not. All she does is laugh her ass off.
We decide to order food, and after we finish eating, we say our goodbyes.
“If you’re bored, my schedule is free until the end of time,” she tells me, then adds, “unless your sister changes her mind.”
Considering Everleigh is staying with Ruby until tomorrow, I don’t know what to think about any of this. Instead, I huff and turn on my heels. I’m two seconds from pulling my phone from my pocket and asking Everleigh if Ruby was fucking with me, but then I decide I don’t want to open that can of worms. The thought has me chuckling. My phone vibrates, and I answer when I see it’s Eric calling.
“Where are you?” he says breathlessly.
“Outside of the pub. Everything okay?”
“I’m close. I’ll be right there,” he rushes out before hanging up.
I notice headlights in the distance. The vehicle looks like it’s going at a high rate of speed when it turns the corner, coming toward me. My adrenaline spikes, and I look at my surroundings, hoping to hell it’s Eric. When the car comes closer, I recognize his rental and breathe a little easier. I’m thankful it’s not Victoria because his voice sounded strained. He rolls down the window and demands I get in the car. By the expression on his face, there’s no time to argue.
“What the fuck is going on?” I ask as I buckle, and he picks up his speed. He’s driving erratically, but I know he’s been trained for this.
“I found Victoria, and she’s looking for you. You’re not safe,” he warns, making a turn.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“To beat this bitch at her own game. I got some news from one of her bodyguards who used to be an old friend. Victoria crossed him, and he just happened to reach out to me,” he explains. I haven’t ever seen him this happy.
“Are you serious?”
He nods. “I also learned she’s been watching you, Tyler. And Gemma. Neither of you are safe.”
I open my mouth, but he interrupts me before I can continue.
“And I found out even more information.” He’s so damn giddy I want to slap the smile off his face because these are serious allegations.
“Go on,” I demand.
“She’s been cheating on Mickey. With the same bodyguard who snitched her out to me yesterday.”
My mouth falls open in shock. Mickey DeFranco is the father to Victoria’s children and is also the man who Liam was forced to fight. He’s the reason Victoria murdered her brother in cold blood too. The family feud between them ran deep, but Victoria doesn’t follow anyone’s rules but her own. So she hooked up with Mickey and used Liam as a decoy husband. One thing is certain, Mickey is crazier than she is. I knew that the moment I laid eyes on him in the ring. “I don’t know what to say.”