Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“I’m not making a promise I can’t keep, but I’ll tell you this. I’d do anything for the woman I love, and if that meant living behind bars to keep you safe, then so fucking be it.” Not the best way to admit you love your woman for the first time.
“I love you, Theo Goldman, suit or no suit, money or no money. An orange jumpsuit is yet to be determined, but I’ll bring you a nail file in a cake.”
“I love you, fairy, and as much as I want to relish in this moment and take you to bed, we’re about to be invaded. I’ve got to make a call that can’t wait. Trust came to us, looking for a partner. Nothing is signed yet. We’re still in the preliminary process, but this can’t wait,” I tell her the truth.
“I’m beginning to think I’m part of the problem in this relationship. I mean, this one kind of came out of left field, but still. Can’t our lives be boring for a week or so?” she asks.
“Fairy, our life is anything but boring. Now, kiss me before the chaos rains down on us.” That gets her attention. Her lips land on mine. I nip at them until she opens for me, and then my tongue is inside, gliding against hers, giving her a taste of what my mouth is going to do later tonight: Danica naked, legs spread, and my shoulders wedged between her thighs.
TWENTY-FOUR
Theo
“Jesus, I’m charging triple,” Sylvester greets me once he’s inside my home office. Parker and Ezra are already here. The fuckers are enjoying a good bottle of bourbon. Boston is back in New Orleans. We’ll catch him up to speed tomorrow when we’re back in the office.
“I’d expect no less. Fucking lawyers,” I joke as I sit down on top of my desk, facing the two chairs. Sly takes the vacant seat. Ezra likes to stand when we talk shit out. He’s got ants in his pants, and right now, he’s got his gaze on Danica’s desk.
“How very domesticated of you, Theo.” I’d expect nothing less from my friends. I gave them hell for falling fast and hard for their women. Now look at me.
“Very funny. It’s your wife who takes over your office, right? At least I share mine,” I grunt out my response.
“Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. I hate dragging Nessa out of the house this late when she has to work tomorrow morning.” Vanessa must still be on days. I’m sure Parker is more than pleased with her schedule. Though, we’re a lot alike in the fact that we’d be happier if they stayed home and didn’t have a job. Maybe I am a caveman like Danica says after all.
“Whatever we were planning to do with EverTrust is off the table. I’m pulling rank this time around. I know we did a lot for everyone in this room, myself included. Charles Trust is Danica’s stepfather and the reason she left home when she was eighteen.” I let my words sink in, waiting before I elaborate.
“Motherfucker. What do you mean the reason she left?” Sylvester’s intense stare is locked on me.
“Shit, do whatever you need to. We don’t need a bank that’ll be more of a headache than we need,” Ezra states.
“Is this going to turn into the same situation as last time? Because if so, I’m in,” Parker suggests. He’s bloodthirsty when it comes to men hurting women.
“I’m told it better not because conjugal visits, orange jumpsuits, and sending nail files aren’t on Danica’s to-do list.” The guys get a kick out my response. “Anyways, she left at eighteen, has her biological father’s last name, and a friend of Mallory’s was willing to seal her file after she made it to the women’s shelter. That’s why when we ran Charles boy’s name, there was no hit on him regarding Danica.” Once I made the calls to the men in this room, Danica elaborated a bit more. She even talked about the bruises and how the lights went out in her mom’s eyes the night she left. My woman is strong, a lot fucking stronger than any one person should ever have to be. “Charles didn’t have a chance to get his hooks in Danica. Though, given the opportunity, I’m sure he would have. His comments caused her to lock her bedroom door with a chair beneath for good measure, and she had a go-bag on the ready, which told me plenty. It’s the fact he brought his associates around that really got me thinking.” I take a healthy sip of my own bourbon.
“So, he’s another man willing to use his authority for his own gain.” Sylvester has one foot over his knee, frustration laced through his tone.
“Yep, Mrs. Trust was and is his current victim. Danica said her mom had bruises on her when she left. She goes around once or twice a year, stays hidden while getting a glance at her mom, but she is too scared to approach.”