Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75047 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75047 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Tell me you aren’t being serious right now!”
While it was good to see that spark in her eyes had returned, I didn’t want to take my teasing too far. I gave her a playful smirk as I admitted, “Yeah, babe. I’m just messing with ya.”
She lowered herself back into the crook of my arm with a huff. “That’s just wrong.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
I leaned down and kissed her briefly, then settled back down on the bed. It wasn’t long before she finally drifted back off to sleep. I looked down at her, and my chest swelled in a way it never had before. I had no doubt that I loved her. I felt that same feeling every time I looked at her, thought about her, and even more when I held her in my arms. I knew I didn’t deserve a woman as incredible as Kiersten, but she was mine, and I wasn’t going to let her go.
Not now. Not ever.
Eighteen
Kiersten
It had only been a couple of weeks since the night of Drake’s attack, but things were already starting to get back to normal—at least partially so. Guardrail and several of the other Satan’s Fury crew came and completely redid my office. They even added a few upgrades that I hadn’t expected. The place looked incredible, and it only took them a couple of days. We also had a few new faces on the grounds. Braylon had gotten in contact with some of his old platoon buddies, and just as he’d hoped, they’d agreed to come work with us. Having them there seemed to lift Braylon’s spirits, and he was starting to get around a little better. I was concerned he was pushing himself too hard, but he assured me that getting back to work was exactly what he needed.
While I was pleased that things were going so well, it still seemed strange not having Timms around. I had no doubt that Grayson and his brothers felt the same about Jackal. We’d done our best to give them both a proper burial on the grounds, but I couldn’t help but feel like I should’ve done something more. They’d both died trying to protect me and the others at the Manor, so I got in touch with Menace and had him anonymously wire a large sum of money to their families. I knew it wouldn’t replace their loved ones but hoped it might give them a little peace to have a bit of help with some of their financial burdens.
There was one big change that I couldn’t have been happier about. Grayson had talked it over with Viper, and like we’d both hoped, the Ruthless Sinners’ president gave the okay for Grayson to move to the Manor full-time. I loved having him there with me, I truly did, but there was one small catch. Every morning, just like right now, he’d ask me the exact same question. “Are you going to go talk to your father today?”
Normally, I would come up with some random excuse not to go, but I’d spent most of the night thinking about it and decided it was time to face the music. Grayson was sitting on the edge of the bed, putting on his boots, when I sauntered by him in nothing but my bra and panties. I glanced back over my shoulder and answered nonchalantly, “Actually, I am.”
“What?”
“I’ve decided to go talk to him.” I found it endearing that Grayson cared so much about my relationship with my father. I knew he was concerned, not only for me and my well-being but also for my father’s. He was an integral piece of the Ruthless Sinners’ puzzle, and since I was now in business with them, I needed to be in my father’s good graces. But business was the last thing on my mind when I contacted my father. There were times when I was angry with him, but I’d always loved my father. I hated that this estranged distance had settled between us and hoped an honest conversation with him might actually bring us closer. I grabbed my jeans out of my drawer and started to pull them on. “I messaged him while you were in the shower and told him I was coming.”
“And he was good with that?”
“I guess so.” I pulled on my hoodie and tugged it down around my waist. “He told me he was looking forward to seeing me.”
“That’s great!” He stood up and walked over to me. As he slipped his arms around my waist, he smiled and said, “I’m really proud of you for doing this. I know it won’t be easy, but I think you’ll be glad you went to see him.”
“I hope so.” I inched up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. “I better get going. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can get back and help Braylon finish putting those bookshelves together for the office.”