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)
That’s my girl. I almost grin when she lifts her head, and our eyes lock.
“Hello, officers, I’m Jett Powers, and there has been a mistake.” Jett approaches the two cops. The woman cop is talking to what looks to be a frazzled saleswoman.
“I’m her lawyer.” He points at Raven, who runs and throws herself into Jett’s arms.
We both look down at her feet—she’s wearing a boot on one and a heel on the other.
“Sir, step away. We’re still trying to take statements,” the cop says as I maneuver around a couple of women to get to Alex.
“You okay?” I take in her flushed cheeks, but her eyes are dry. She sucks on her lower lip and shakes her head as I pull her into my arms, ignoring the cop telling me to step away. I tune out my brother, who’s saying that Raven was just following her sick friend to the car, and that she was coming back to pay… Tune out all of it, because none of it matters as long as Alex is safe.
I kiss her forehead and step back. “Those are some shoes,” I say, grinning at her pale face.
She takes a breath, her hand clutched to mine.
“Look, who’s in charge? How much do I need to pay to make this go away?” I pull out my wallet as the woman who’s talking to the cop looks at me, then Jett, who looks like he wants to punch me.
“What my brother is trying to say is we would love to take this off the street and inside the shop. As you can see, my driver was here, no one left, it was a misunderstanding. Now my wife is upset, and I’d hate to have to sue because she experienced post-traumatic stress from a misunderstanding.” Jett’s in full damage control. There’s a reason he’s made millions defending people.
The cops look at the woman. “He says he’s going to pay. Do you want to press charges?” She hesitates as she looks back at the other salesclerk, who shakes his head vehemently no.
“No, that’s fine. Sorry for the confusion, officers. Now, who is paying?” She looks around as Jett walks in and goes to the counter with Raven who is still crying.
“I want all the shoes my wife was trying on,” he demands as she hides her head in his shoulder.
“What about the ones the… the other lady has on?” the man in the glasses says as they all turn to look at Alex.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, put them on my card.” I hand them my American Express only to have Alex wail no, and my brother to hand over his Black card.
“Put everything on this one.” His blue eyes are like ice as he glares at both of us. “You two can walk.” He kisses Raven, turning to focus on the saleswoman.
I gaze down at Alex, who almost looks as if she’s in shock, and grin.
“I guess we’re walking.”
“I’m so sorry, Brett. Raven, I’m so—” I drag her out of the shop because the less we say, the better. People are still staring, but most are back to walking and sightseeing.
Iain looks at me. “You need a ride to pick up her car?”
“Nah, we’re fine.” I take her cold hand, and we start walking.
“I’ll drop it off later on.” He nods, arms crossed as he waits.
Alex shakes her head, leaning in close to me. “I’m mortified. I literally don’t know what came over me. I think I—”
“Alex, that time I told you to steal the bikini, I paid for it. It was all for the rush. I would never put you in danger.”
She stops and pulls her hand away. “What?” Her eyes are huge now as if the pieces are all falling into place.
“Yes.” I let out a laugh. “But fuck, baby, you even got my heart pumping today.”
And her eyes, which one second ago looked guilty, now flash like emerald-green lasers.
“Are you kidding me?” She takes her bag and slaps me with it as Jett drives by slowly, honks, and flips us off while Raven sadly waves.
“Oh my God, perfect, they hate me.” She points at the Ferrari, but I grab her, pulling her into my arms so I can bury my nose in her neck and inhale her coconut scent.
“Forget them. Let’s go get some lunch. We can watch your brother. Isn’t he playing today?” I smile into her neck, trying to lighten this whole situation. Lifting my head, I rub my nose back and forth on hers.
“You want to eat after what just happened?”
“Yeah, I’m starving.” I grin as people walk around us.
“Let’s go eat some bar food, drink, and cheer on Ohio State, then you can sit on my face.” I move forward, taking her hand.
“Brett.” She slaps at me, laughing, and my heart aches.
Christ, what the hell? I feel like a fucking teenager. Just one laugh, a smile from her ruby lips, and the world feels right. The sun does shine brighter, and it has everything to do with her.