Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“I won’t have a life to go back to when the year is over.”
He took a drink, and his eyes were that of a stormy sea. Both in color and the threatening glint in them. “That’s not my problem. This is your decision to make. I suggest you choose wisely.”
I gripped my hands together so tightly in my lap that the tips of my nails were going to break the skin. This was a scenario I hadn’t thought up. One I hadn’t worked through. I’d come in here, thinking he would request to see her on occasion. Possibly once a month. Even that much time away from her seemed horrible.
“I don’t have a choice,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “But you know that. You made sure of it.”
Placing his elbows on the desk, he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me. “Tell me, Branwen, why is it you aren’t threatening to fight me in court?”
I blinked, confused at first. Was this a test and I’d failed? Did he think I had set this up and wanted the outcome he had given me? That I wanted to live in this house with him? I’d not once given him a reason to think that. I’d give anything to be allowed to leave here with my daughter and return to our lives in Nashville. It was safe. His life, albeit one with extravagant wealth, was not. I shook my head, not sure if I was understanding him correctly.
“You heard the question. You are accepting my threats without a real fight. I want to know why.”
I blinked and watched as he tilted his head to the side, studying me closely. There was a challenge there.
He was powerful and had too many people in his pocket at his disposal—that was it. I shouldn’t know that. He’d never told me what he did. Where his wealth had come from. If I hadn’t known, if I were any other female, one he’d only met that one night in Vegas, I would believe I could fight him in court and win. Money didn’t buy a judge’s decision. Power did.
I could lie, but why? He’d done a background check, yet he still wasn’t aware that our families were connected. That I was from his past. I had never been a stranger to him.
Lifting my chin, I met his glare. “I know who and what you are, Linc. I’m not stupid enough to fight a battle we both know I can’t win.”
His eyes widened slightly. He’d thought I’d set this entire thing into play to get the outcome he was handing me. Did he think I’d truly gone to all that trouble when I had a ring on my finger from another man? Was the fact that a woman would choose a man like Hudson over him that hard for him to believe? What a fucking ego.
No, Linc Shephard, I’m not trying to weasel my way into your life. All I wanted was to get you out of mine, and I’ve failed miserably.
“Who and what am I?” he drawled.
It wasn’t a secret that there was a Mafia that ruled the South. One where wealthy men controlled the hands and actions of those supposedly in charge. They were whispered about and feared. While the majority did not know who they were exactly, they had their guesses. Towns were owned by them. Senators, governors, mayors, judges were put into office by them.
Part of me wanted to blurt out who I was. See the realization hit him. Watch as he recalled the little girl who had worshipped him. The one he’d brought daisies to and placed in her hair, who he’d taught to play Texas Hold’em, the one he’d called Ringlets. But I wouldn’t. That was the past, and we weren’t those people anymore.
I licked my dry lips before replying, “You’re a member of the Southern Mafia.” Also known as the family among their ranks, but I didn’t say that. He’d have more questions if I said too much.
He leaned back in his chair, the expression on his face unreadable. “And you know this how?”
I would have to lie or tell the truth.
I chose to lie.
“You told me.”
His eyes darkened, and he blew out a breath. “Fucking opium,” he sighed, then shook his head, as if disgusted with himself. He reached for his whiskey. “I guess that saves me the trouble of telling you why our daughter will always require protection. With that knowledge, will you be living here with Stevie or choosing to fight me in court?”
As if that were ever an option.
Nine
Linc
What all had I told her that night? Jesus, I’d been more fucked up than I’d realized. Granted, opium mixed with alcohol wasn’t the best combination. There were definitely moments and time that were blacked out for me that night. I remembered seeing her. I’d watched her for over an hour before approaching her. I recalled how I’d been pleasantly surprised that not only was she fucking gorgeous, but she was also funny. She had personality. I’d enjoyed just listening to her talk.