Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“Really?” She stepped back to look up at me. “What did he say?”
“He’s excited. It’s his first grandchild.”
She rested her face against my chest. “I’m glad he’s happy about it. I wasn’t sure how your family would feel about it.”
“What are you talking about?” I wrapped my arms around her. “They adore you.”
“I just don’t want them to think I did this on purpose…”
“They don’t. My dad told me to settle down with you many times. When you were in New York, he came by the house and tried to talk me into it. So don’t worry about what they think of you. You make me happy, and that’s all they care about.” I rested my chin on her head and held her in my arms. She was so tiny in comparison to my large stature. It made me want to protect her even more, to protect the life that we made together. “I’m sorry I ever let you go…”
She tightened her arms around my waist. “Let’s forget it, Con. I’m here now…we’re together. That’s all that matters.”
I squeezed her a little harder, feeling the guilt crush me. “You always believed I loved you, even when I said I didn’t.”
“I saw it in the way you looked at me…just the way I see it now. I know you better than you know yourself.”
“Yes.” I closed my eyes. “Yes, you do.” I held her for minutes, treasuring the feeling of her small body against mine. Whenever I came home and looked at her, there was usually one thing on my mind. But right now, I just wanted to hold her. I treasured this woman so deeply. I loved her more than I’d ever loved anyone else. She’d become my whole world, and now I couldn’t believe I’d ever let her go.
My phone started to ring in my pocket. I was going to ignore it because I didn’t care at that moment, but Muse pulled away.
“You should get that.” Her hands trailed down my stomach as she stepped away. “I’ll still be here when you’re done.” She gave me a slight smile before she walked away and headed into the bedroom.
I fished out my phone and saw the number on the screen, a number I didn’t recognize. I took the call and held the phone to my ear. “Conway.”
A heated voice came over the line, a tone I’d recognize anywhere. I’d only been exposed to him twice, but you never forgot your enemy’s presence. “Barsetti, how’s it going?”
It was Knuckles. I didn’t need to ask to make sure. “I would ask what you want, but I don’t care.” I was glad Muse walked into the other room. I didn’t want her to hear any of this conversation. I didn’t want her to feel scared, not when she should only be concerned about the baby growing inside her.
“Don’t call my bluff, Barsetti. Not when I have something you want.”
“You don’t have anything I want.”
“Don’t be too sure of that,” he said with a chuckle. He turned away from the phone and spoke to someone in the background. “Vanessa, say something to your brother.”
“Go. Fuck. Yourself.” Vanessa’s deep and powerful voice rang over the line, carrying the pride of the Barsetti line. She must have been kidnapped and trapped, but she still held her head high. I didn’t need to check to make sure it was her. It definitely was.
Knuckles came back to the phone. “Looks like I do have something you want—”
“Touch her, and I’ll fucking kill you.” The cords in my neck almost burst open, and spit flew from my mouth. I was so calm just a second ago, holding my woman in my arms, and now I was filled with enough adrenaline to break down a concrete wall with just my hands.
“Give me what I want, and no one gets hurt,” he said calmly. “I hate to admit it…I actually respect your little sister. She’s got quite a fight in her…”
I didn’t care about money, not when it came to my sister. I’d sell this house in a heartbeat to get her back. My sister and I bickered back and forth a lot, but at the end of the day, I’d lay down my life for hers. I loved her so damn much. “How much, Knuckles? How much do you want?”
“It’s not about how much,” he said. “Money comes and goes. I want something invaluable, priceless.”
I already knew what it was before he even said it.
“I want the priceless jewel that you call Sapphire. Let’s trade.”
“You can’t break the Skull King oath.” I bought Muse fair and square at the Underground. According to the rules, he couldn’t take her. It was punishable by death.
“And I’m not. I’m not breaking in to your house and dragging her out by the hair. I’m offering you a deal. If you want Vanessa Barsetti, you have to give me Sapphire. If you don’t want the deal, fine. I’ll make use of Vanessa instead.”