Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
I shake my head before he even gets it all out. “No, I’m not involving you.”
He puts his hand on my chin and raises my head so I’m looking into his eyes. “If it involves you, it involves me. Let me do this, Lucky.”
I can’t think with him touching me so I take a step back. His hands fall to his sides, and he looks at me. I’m not sure what to say, but I know I at least need to get it out. “My mom told me that my dad came to see you in jail.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “He did.”
“I can just imagine the conversation. Did he tell you to end it with me, Dom? Is that what happened? Did he threaten you?”
His body tenses. “He was protecting his daughter, Lucky, and he was right.”
My eyes widen, and my voice gets louder. “Right? He wasn’t right if he told you we shouldn’t be together.”
“I was dating his daughter. And forget about the fact that I was a kid with no future… I had just gotten arrested for robbery. You deserved better!”
I walk over to the desk and start packing up my things. As I put the computer bag over my arm, I hold it to my side. I walk past him and stop at the door. I debate with myself for just a second before I turn back to him. “You want to know what I think I deserve, Dominic?”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Yeah, tell me.”
“I deserve a man that loves me, that wants to protect me and will not let anything come between us. That’s what I deserve. At one time, I would have sworn you were that man.”
“Lucky—” he says, his voice sounding defeated.
After all this time, I had hoped he would have figured out he’s the man for me, but I can’t force him to see it. I cut him off. “Are you still picking me up tomorrow?”
His eyebrows lift, but he nods his head. “Yeah, I want you to go with me.”
I nod. “Pick me up at six. I’ll be ready.”
Without another word, I turn on my heel and walk out the door. It’s either that or I stay here and beg him to be mine.
14
DOMINIC
I reach for Lucy’s hand and hold it between the two of mine. “Are you nervous?”
We’re surrounded by over half the people of Whiskey Run. Any time Walker does a fundraiser, there are a lot of people that show up, and this time is not any different. But it’s not like Lucy to be nervous. She looks around the room. “Is your whole family going to be here?”
I squeeze her hand. “Everyone but Cole. Well, Ledger is somewhere in the Middle East. But you know my family—well, everyone but Haven, but you’ll love her.”
She nods her head as she looks around the room.
She’s so fucking gorgeous, I don’t want to look away from her. The red dress hugs her body like a glove, and I’ve been hard as a rock since the moment I picked her up. And I’m not the only one to notice how beautiful she is. I’ve already had to give a death stare to Carl when he was looking at her like he wanted to eat her up. I’m not going to be able to let her out of my sight tonight. “Did I tell you how beautiful you are?”
She stops fidgeting and smiles up at me. “Three times.”
I put my hands at her waist. “You’re fuckin’ breathtaking.”
We get no warning because suddenly we’re surrounded by King, Haven, Gabe, Chrissy, Holden, and Cat. My sister and sisters-in-law hug me, and I get slaps on the shoulder from my brothers. I’m still holding on to one of Lucy’s hands because I don’t want to let her go. I hate that she’s nervous, and if I can do anything to help her, I’m going to. Even if that means keeping her glued to my side the whole night.
My brothers and my sister Chrissy all remember Lucy, and they hug her. Cat hugs her like they’ve been friends forever even though they just met yesterday. Haven waves at Lucy. “I’m Haven.”
“She’s my wife,” King says proudly with one hand on her swollen stomach.
Haven laughs. “I don’t know why you feel the need to say that. Everyone knows I’m your wife.”
King just grunts. “I like to remind people. Ya know, leave no doubts.”
Lucy is smiling. “Hi, Haven. I’ve heard a lot about you from Dom. It’s nice to meet you.”
She comes toward Lucy with open arms, and they hug. Haven pulls back, rubbing her belly. “Sorry, I’m getting so big.”
“Hey, hey. None of that,” King says as he pulls Haven into his arms. “You’re perfect.”
She just smiles up at him, and seeing the love they have for each other makes me feel like I’m encroaching on their personal space.