Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Liam’s head didn’t come up until he saw Sven launch to his feet out of the corner of his eye. His brother towered over him, his hands shoved through his hair.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Sven demanded.
“When? While you were on your honeymoon?” Liam shot back.
“Yes!”
Liam groaned and rolled his eyes. “I was not going to ruin your honeymoon with this.”
“Liam!” Sven bellowed.
“You’re family!” Geoffrey added. “Of course we want to know you’re in trouble. We would have been here in a heartbeat.”
“Yes, but I had everything under control with Rowe and Seth.” Liam threw out one arm and pointed at the bodyguard still standing in the kitchen.
“We’ve been home for days! You waited until now to tell me?”
Liam’s shoulders slumped a little at that accusation. “I was waiting until we had a little more information.”
“Rowe didn’t uncover who the loan shark was until today. We also got a solid estimate on what Gerald likely owes today,” Seth interjected.
Sven spun around and pointed at Seth. “Don’t help! You and Rowe are on my shit list right now for keeping this from me.”
Seth’s expression turned mutinous, but Liam didn’t give him a chance to speak. He shot to his feet and got as close to his brother as he could with the coffee table separating them.
“Don’t you dare talk to him like that in my house, little brother!” Liam bellowed. “He and Rowe didn’t say anything to you out of respect for my wishes. It was my right to tell my family. And as I was so kindly reminded, Ward Security clients have a right to privacy.”
Sven’s face flushed bright red and he lowered his eyes, but his chin still held its stubborn jut. “You should have told me sooner. The moment those fuckers touched you. You’re my brother.”
Liam’s shoulders slumped and all the anger draining out of him. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you or exclude you. I just didn’t want to take away from your honeymoon happiness. And Seth has done a wonderful job of keeping me safe.”
Sven stepped around the coffee table, pulling Liam in a bear hug. “I worry,” Sven mumbled into Liam’s shoulder.
Liam patted the top of his brother’s head and smiled. He was so damn lucky to have family that cared so much about him.
When Sven released him, Liam pulled Geoffrey into a hug as well. “I’m sorry to upset you too.”
“No more hiding stuff from us. We’re always there for you, no matter what’s going on,” Geoffrey said, hugging him.
“Thank you.”
Geoffrey stopped as he turned to his seat on the couch and looked at Seth standing in the kitchen. “So, you’re really not dating Liam? You’ve been his bodyguard?”
“Just a bodyguard,” Seth confirmed.
“Oh. I always thought Liam needed a Ward bodyguard for a boyfriend.” He shrugged. “But then, I also thought Garrett would be a much better match for Liam.”
“Garrett!” Seth seemed to puff up, his face flushing but for a totally new reason. “There’s no fucking way Garrett—”
He didn’t get any further in his rant as Geoffrey’s loud cackle cut him off.
Liam groaned, purposefully keeping his eyes averted from his brother. Now was not the time to discuss his sex life.
“What do you plan to do?” Sven asked when Geoffrey flopped on the couch, the last of his giggles dying away.
Liam sat down again and threaded his fingers together while balancing his elbows on his knees. “I’ve talked about it with Rowe and Seth. I think my best option is to just pay. Gerald borrowed the money to start our business. While the interest rate is ridiculous, it’s only fair. Plus…I think it is too dangerous to simply go to the cops.”
“But half a million…”
“Yeah, I know. I could have maybe raised the original one hundred and fifty thousand, but not half a million.” Liam sighed. “Rowe said he and Andrei could give me the money. But I don’t think I can take it. Even if it’s a loan.”
“We’ll give you the money,” Geoffrey said firmly.
“But—”
“You sure, baby?” Sven asked, his voice suddenly rough.
“Of course! Liam’s family. Of course we’re giving him the money!”
Sven gathered Geoffrey up in his lap, cuddling him close. Liam could guess that his brother was doing well at his job, but it was unlikely he had half a million dollars just sitting around. His millionaire husband, on the other hand, probably wouldn’t have too much trouble pulling it together.
“A loan, Geoffrey. It’s just a loan,” Liam grumbled, trying to put some steel in his voice. Not an easy task when they were cuddling and his brother was looking so utterly besotted.
Geoffrey pulled away from Sven enough to wave a hand at him. “Sure, sure. A loan. We’ll draw up an agreement, but it’s not all being paid in dollars.”
Liam arched a brow at Geoffrey. “You want some of it in flowers?”