Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“That’s a very good idea.”
“You’re right. I have a bad reputation already, no need to scare people even more by leading them into the set from a slasher film.”
I grin at him. “Now you’re getting it.”
“Life is all perception, right? Then why don’t you change mine.”
“I already did.”
“When you’re finished ordering new office supplies, reach out to that Jonny for me.”
My eyebrows arch. “You sure?”
“I’m positive. If he’s friendly with you, then I could use you at the meeting.”
“Look at you,” I say, leaning forward to kiss him without thinking. “You’re getting smarter and smarter.”
“Only utilizing the assets I’ve been given.” He sighs and begins to adjust himself. I take that as a cue to do the same. Once we’re somewhat presentable, he walks me back to my office.
If his goons heard anything, they give no sign. Only nod to him respectfully.
“I want you back in our bedroom tonight,” he says from my doorway as I settle back in behind my desk.
“We’ll see.”
“I mean it.” His tone darkens. “I don’t like the idea of my pregnant wife sleeping alone.”
“I think I can handle it, considering I’ve been sleeping alone my whole life.”
“You don’t seem to understand yet.” He watches me carefully. “You’re different now. Your old life is over. You’re carrying my child—a Crowley child—and that means you’re a part of our family.”
“I never asked for that,” I say, keeping my tone as level as I can. I don’t want to start a fight right now. I’m still in a good mood from that lovely sex and I’d like to keep it that way.
“I didn’t either, but here we are. This is the situation we’re in. I need you to understand that, to accept it.”
I take a slow, deep breath. “We’re going to go back and forth on this forever,” I say after a pause long enough for me to get myself together. “You’re going to keep saying, I’m a Crowley, I’m a Crowley, and I’m going to keep telling you that I’m not. Can we just skip that whole dance and stick to our agreement?”
“No,” he says, turning away. “I told you. The old contract is dead. The only contract left is your marriage certificate, and good luck getting rid of that.”
He walks off before I can answer. I glare at the far wall, ready to start throwing stuff, but I pull myself together.
Today’s going well. Sex aside, he’s bringing me deeper into his operation. Even if it’s still fairly basic and surface-level, just a single meeting and some decorating, at least I’m not stuck at home anymore. If I can keep going, he might start trusting me with more important stuff.
And I’ll find a way to work out everything else. He can’t possibly think that just because I got pregnant, suddenly he owns me. Actually, he probably does, but it’s not reality.
I never promised him more, and I don’t plan on overdelivering.
Chapter 27
Alisa
It takes a few back-and-forth phone calls, but Jonny Jeffers finally agrees to meet in person. We set a date for the following day, and when the time arrives, Liam’s on edge.
“I don’t like this situation,” he says, glaring out the car window. We’re being driven by his second-in-command, Sean, and another of their trusted enforcers while two more cars, one in front and one behind, are packed to the brim with armed men. I can’t imagine how we could get any safer short of hiding away in a nuclear bunker.
“I told you, Jonny’s an old hippie,” I say, trying to put him at ease. “It’s not really all that surprising.”
“This should’ve been straightforward, and we should be meeting at our office. Instead, we’re doing… this.” He scowls, shaking his head.
Jonny had been cagey about where he wanted to meet. Liam felt he was being suspicious, while I only assumed he was acting like his normal goofy self. Eventually, we landed on an old vegan place that isn’t even listed online anymore—it allegedly went out of business—but Jonny claims to have bought the location. It’s in a strip mall on the edge of town.
“I bet he’s trying to show off his new investment,” I say.
“Why would he want us to visit him at a decrepit restaurant?” Liam asks. “I should be insulted.”
“This is just the kind of guy he is. I bet he’s got the place renovated already and he wants to test the food on us or something like that.”
“Somehow I doubt it.” Liam taps his fingers against his knee. “How well do you know this man again?”
“Not that well,” I admit, although I’m feeling slightly defensive. It isn’t my fault Jonny’s a weirdo. “Mainly by reputation. We’ve met a few times though.”
“Have you exchanged more than vague pleasantries with him?”
I hesitate, not liking where this is going. “No, but—”
“Then you don’t know the man at all. Could he be working with Rustik?”