Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Inhaling deeply, I grab my bag and head out for the suite Ven’s party is in. My stomach drops as I get to the floor of the party. The music is thumping through the door.
I run a hand through the front of my hair as I walk up behind the two guys at the door. One looks back at me with the brightest jade-green eyes and gives me a shy smile.
“Hi,” he says before his cheeks turn pink.
“Hi.” I wave back.
The doors open and a big guy who looks like a beefed-up version of this shy guy comes into view. Right away, I know this is Pit. I remember his face and he gives off this larger-than-life energy Ven has talked about for years.
“Dr. Leo,” Pit croons drunkenly. “And who do we have here? You brought a date? That’s my little brother. Damn, you pulling in like your big bro.”
Leo looks back at me in horror, blushing to his roots. I stifle a laugh. Wrong little brother.
I see why Jenny has a crush on Leo. I know for a fact she likes him but thinks she’s too old for him. There’s a five-year difference with Jenny being a year younger than me. However, when she talks about Leo, she makes him seem so much older.
“She’s not with me. I came with my boy. This is Alan,” Leo replies.
“Hello, Pit. I’m Lex,” I say.
“Oh shit. Come here, baby girl,” he croons and tugs me into a hug. He releases me and throws an arm around my shoulders to walk me inside. “Yo, Skittles, Lex is here.”
“Dude, she’s hot. You should totally shoot your shot,” the guy with Leo says as we move past them.
“She is, but I’m sort of hoping to see someone else here,” Leo murmurs.
“Lex,” Ven squeals as she runs by a few people and wraps me in her arms.
“Hey,” I sing back.
“Look at you. You look great. Oh my God, it’s good to see you.”
We squeeze each other tightly. I need this hug more than she could ever know. I miss my cousin.
“You’ve met my fiancé. Was he nice to you?”
I turn to find Pit rolling his eyes at her. He moves to her side and tugs her into him. “Stop trying to find a reason for me not to bend your ass over later. I’ve been on my best behavior. I’m beating that pussy up right out on that balcony. Stop playing with me, half-pint.”
“Wow.” I laugh.
“Whatever, Will.”
“Come, you have to meet everyone. Kelex couldn’t make it this time. Ox and Rome stepped out and Tak took off, but the rest of the guys are here.”
“Where’s Shawna?”
Ven looks down at her feet. “She still needs time. She’s been through a lot. I’ll tell you about all that later, come. Pit, get Lex a shot.”
A loud popping sound fills the air and Ven yelps as she jumps in the air. I turn to find Pit with a tight hold of her ass. I shake my head as I see the grin on her face.
This guy is right up her alley. My cousin has a type and Pit seems to fit it perfectly. We head over to the other side of the room where she introduces me to the tat guy, Deacon and the fighter, Luke.
The smile on her face tells me how much these guys mean to her. We’re all midconversation when a tall guy comes over and hugs Ven. He looks at Pit tauntingly as he pecks the side of Ven’s face.
“Hey, Jeff, I didn’t think you were coming since Kelex couldn’t make it,” Ven laughs.
I think I know this guy. I can’t place from where, but I do. It clicks that I’ve seen him in the pictures of the former model, but I know him from somewhere else.
My phone rings before Ven can introduce us. I hold up a hand, moving to a quiet spot to answer. Seeing it’s Kid, I answer right away.
“What’s up?”
“They’re on their way back. You need to leave.”
“Okay,” I say, hearing the defeat in my voice.
It’s only been two hours. I am having a good time. I miss Ven and her antics. I hang up and turn to head back to the group.
I pause to take in how happy Ven looks. This is her life. These are the people I’m protecting for her and Ant.
It looks like a great circle, but my world is back in my room. My AJ. I’m doing this as much for him as I am for everyone else, I tell myself.
“Hey, everything okay?” Pit comes over to ask.
“Yeah, something came up. I have to go.”
He frowns a little. “Yo, baby. Come here,” he calls.
Ven turns and comes over hurriedly. “Everything okay?”
“I have to go. Something came up back home. I need to get back to my room to handle it, or I could be in big trouble.”