Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Mike was usually a calculated man when it came to receiving bad news, but this was too unexpected, and he couldn’t withhold the shocked pain in his voice. “Ivy. But what… how? What the fuck does she want?”
Mama stepped closer so no one else could hear them. “To make things right with her son.”
“You’re his mother.” Mike bared his teeth, his fists clenching, “And he’s my son. Ivy gave up that right when she left B in my arms at the hospital. Now she comes back thirty-three years later for a goddamn family reunion?”
“Stay calm, son. I’m going to fix this—”
“Does she know where Bishop is?”
“No. But it won’t be long before she finds him… and you.”
Mike walked off a few paces, needing some air, feeling as if his lungs were restricted of oxygen even though he was outside. Ivy was back, and Mike swore if he ever saw that conniving witch that left him in the middle of the night with a newborn, he’d make her pay. And now… Mike inhaled, but the air got stuck midway down. He could hardly breathe. Rayne. He needed Rayne.
“I’ll keep a lookout for her, Mike. But Trent and Bishop were so drunk the other night, god knows what all they said.” Mama rolled her eyes.
“I need to talk to Bishop before she does,” Mike grated. “I don’t want her around my boy.”
“I don’t either.” Mama closed the space Mike had put between them. “Let me see what else I can find out, okay?”
Mike nodded, his mind spinning at what he’d just heard. This can’t be happening right now.
“Michael.” Mama’s voice was sharp. “You behave until I have more information, you understand me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mike murmured, feeling his face and neck grow hotter with anger. Mike walked her to her vehicle and opened the back door for her.
“You and Rayne come by and have dinner with me soon. I want to discuss catering for Bishop’s wedding.” It wasn’t a request; it was an order.
Mike appreciated his mom attempting to depart on a more positive note by mentioning the wedding, but his mind was miles away from that now. He waited until Mama and her security detail were gone before he immediately went in search of some peace.
Chapter Forty-three
Rayne
Rayne had just finished setting up his room for Mike’s surprise when he heard the two black SUVs pull away from the curb. He met Mike at the bottom of the stairs and was immediately pulled into a strong hug that alarmed him. Something was wrong. Mike was practically trembling as he buried his face in Rayne’s neck.
“That’s it, breathe.” Rayne lowered his voice, squeezing him back. He didn’t know what the problem was, but he knew Mike needed him in that moment.
Mike groaned, moving forward and pushing Rayne’s back into the hard banister.
“I’m right here,” he assured. Rayne didn’t know how long they held each other, but he didn’t release Mike until he’d stopped vibrating with negative energy and his breathing was back under control. He wanted to ask what happened with his mom, but he decided to wait for Mike to tell him when he was ready.
Mike reached up and released his hair from the elastic band and dug his blunt nails over his scalp. Rayne was vocal, showing his appreciation before Mike took his mouth in a desperate kiss. He gave Mike his tongue, tasting and bathing his lips as they both tried to devour each other. He fought the urge to wrap his legs around Mike’s waist, but he lost that battle. Mike pressed Rayne against the sturdy wood, squeezing his ass with the same intensity as he sucked on his throat. Rayne would have a passion mark if Mike didn’t stop soon, though it didn’t prevent him from tilting his head back farther to allow more access.
Rayne’s dick was hard and throbbing as he ground himself against Mike’s hard abs. His thoughts drifted to last night and the way Mike reacted to his touch, to his cock pressing against his ass, making Rayne moan even louder.
“Fuckin’ want you now.” Mike’s growl was possessive and frightening, a mix of emotions that made Rayne’s cock leak in his shorts.
They were halfway upstairs when someone knocked twice on the door before they opened it part-way and hollered inside.
“You inside, Mike, or in the back?” Manny yelled.
Rayne scrambled to put his legs down before Mike’s best friend came all the way inside.
“Motherfuckin’ perfect timing, Manny,” Mike cursed as he reluctantly released his grip on Rayne’s ass.
“You’re the one that woke me up and said get my ass over here now. Rayne raped the queen.”
“I did what?” Rayne blurted, glancing between Mike and Manny and another man who was dressed like a zookeeper in drab khaki pants and dusty hiking boots.
Mike pinched the bridge of his nose. “Manny. That’s not what I—”