Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“I’m talking to you,” he calls out, and I turn.
“Jett, I’m not impressed by you.” I shake my head.
“You arrogant fuckup, you broke the cardinal rule.” He takes a step closer, fists clenched.
“What?” I hiss.
“You’re fucking a student.” His voice sounds annoyingly calm—the same sanctimonious tone he uses in the courtroom.
“No. I’m fucking Alexandrea.” I take a step toward him. “And you, of all people, really aren’t thinking about giving me a lecture on this, right?”
His eyes change, and for a split second, I think he actually might punch me, which would mean I’d have to beat the shit out of him.
“Boys.” Our mom’s voice makes me take a breath and step back.
“Brett Thomas.” Her voice is so demanding that I break my brother’s stare and turn to her. She stands with oven mitts and the pie in her hands.
“I know you, son. We all do.” Her eyes go to Jett’s, then back to me. “This is not the time to get stubborn and do something just because we all think you shouldn’t. Listen to your brother, for heaven’s sake,” she snaps, her smooth face marred only by her frown as she passes, which is somewhat of a miracle since she’s been using fillers since she was forty.
I wait for her to walk out onto the patio before I turn back to Jett. “I appreciate your concern, but I can handle this.”
He snorts. “Really?” Walking into the kitchen, he steps over to the counter where a bottle of bourbon sits.
“I do.” Folding my arms, I lean against the doorframe. I’m trying hard not to call him on all his shit, but if he keeps this up, who knows.
“So what you’re saying is that you’re willing to risk everything for her?” He pours himself a large glass of whiskey and shoots it.
“I’m saying it’s none of your business.” My voice holds a warning because he’s my brother, but he’s got fucking balls right now.
“You made it all of our business bringing her here.” He points the bottle at me as he pours himself another.
And that’s it. I push off the doorframe and walk into the room. “Jett, you fucked your fiancée’s daughter.” It’s a cheap shot because I hated his bitch of an ex and love Raven, but he needs to stop pushing.
Pouring the bourbon, he smirks, then looks up at me as he puts the cap back on. “You’re right, I did. But I had already made my mark. You…” He takes a sip. “You are right at your moment of greatness. The Nobel Prize nomination, youngest head dean, the fifty-million-fucking-dollar project, are you really gonna throw it all away?”
And all I can think of is my fist connecting with his nose and smashing it because I don’t need this shit right now.
“Again, you don’t have anything to worry about.” My voice remains tight.
“Spoken like a true Powers.” He sets his glass down. “Look, you’re my brother. I’ll always support you. Just think with your head. You’re gonna get caught and lose everything, man.”
My eyes narrow on his. I get what he’s saying, but this is not what he’s making it out to be. I’ll tire of her, like I always do, and that will be that.
“Jesus Christ.” He shakes his head. “Fine. You do it your way. I’m not saying another word.” He takes his drink and rams his shoulder into me as he passes.
“And don’t ever say anything about my wife again. I risked it all for her.” He walks back out onto the patio, and my jaw clenches. Jett just has to get the last word in.
I walk out and look over at Alex and Raven sitting together laughing. I don’t need to look at anyone else in my family to feel their disapproval.
“Alex?” Yes, I’m interrupting them, but I don’t care. I need to get her out of here.
“Yeah?” She smiles up at me, then frowns.
“Let’s go,” I demand as my mom reaches for my arm.
“But sweetheart, you haven’t had pie.” She looks at me pleadingly, but I’m done. This was a mistake.
“I have pie at my house,” I growl as Alex stands and follows me, calling over her shoulder that it was nice to meet everyone. I swear I hear Raven say she’s gonna call her. If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d laugh.
“Everything okay?” Alex looks up at me, eyebrow raised.
I grab my key fob off the table in the foyer and hold the door open for her as we walk out.
“Yes.” Walking around to hold her door open, I let my eyes dip to her long legs. Fuck Jett, I’m not done. I sink into my seat, start the car, and back up, briefly glancing at Alex who sits staring at her feet.
“I can call an Uber…” Her voice drifts off as my hands tighten on the steering wheel.