Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Grant and Jacob just pulled up,” he said. “There’s no time like the present.”
TJ glanced between the two of us. “Sometimes I don’t know what to think about the two of you and your psychic communication.”
“I think you know damn well what to think about my brother,” Rogue said. “But I don’t need the details.”
I glared at him. “That’s cute coming from you. How many of your hookups have you described to me in full detail?”
“I was younger then, and I thought you needed an education.”
“Stay out of my personal business.”
“I will unless you get on my nerves, then I’ll go find TJ and get him to tell me your secrets.” He winked at TJ and turned to leave.
I knew what Rogue really meant, but all I could think was how there was one secret TJ definitely didn’t know and neither did Rogue. I could only hope he never found out.
TJ started to follow Rogue then froze. “Fuck, I’ve got to get dressed.”
“Just don’t waste time.”
He saluted me. “Sure thing, marine.”
“Or,” Rogue said, giving him a once-over, “you could just come like that. It wouldn’t bother me.”
I was going to kill my brother. “Get out.” I pushed him toward the door.
TJ just smiled. “That is an idea.”
“No, it’s absolutely not.”
He winked at me. “You hate admitting how kinky you are.”
“I heard that,” Rogue said, reappearing in the doorway.
21
TJ
I did not get nervous. At least that’s what I told myself as I stood facing Grant in the kitchen several minutes later. We sat at the table while Jacob rustled around putting away some groceries. Rhys and I were being very careful not to look at each other. I wasn’t afraid of Grant. Despite the way we’d clashed when I first arrived, I liked him, and I trusted him.
Rhys was right. His brother needed to know about my situation, but I’d been trained from birth not to share family business with outsiders and to never show weakness. No matter how much I told myself I didn’t believe in that bullshit anymore after seeing what it had done to my family and how it had produced men like Franco, I still hated relying on anyone else.
Grant glanced from one of us to the other. “What the hell is going on?”
“It’s not nearly as bad as you think,” Rogue said.
“Until I saw your faces, I wasn’t imagining anything bad at all.”
“Wow. Jacob must have really worn you out last night for you not to be expecting trouble.”
Jacob dropped the bag of oranges he was holding, and Grant scowled at Rogue. “That’s enough.”
“My father lied about why I was sent here.” There it was, out in the open.
Jacob set the oranges on the counter and turned to stare.
Grant sighed. “And the truth is?”
“He sent me here because my cousin is making a play to take over the family. It’s true my work angered the Cafaros, and Franco did use that as an excuse to complain about me, but he wants a war with them because my father isn’t ready for it.”
Grant nodded, and I knew he was running scenarios in his head.
Rhys was clearly itching to say more. He stole a quick look at me, and I shook my head. “I’ll handle this.”
“So you told these assholes before you told me?” Grant looked pointedly at the twins.
Rhys and I risked another glance at each other, but before either of us said anything, Rogue jumped in. “I overheard him arguing on the phone.”
“And you know how Rogue is,” Rhys said. “He just asked TJ straight out.”
My twin flipped me off. “If there’s a threat to the ranch, we need to know about it.”
“Is there?” Grant asked, turning his attention back to me.
“I can’t rule it out. I don’t know if my cousin has figured out where I am or whether he’d come after me here if he has. That’s why I’m telling you.”
“And also…”
Damn it, Rhys really couldn’t keep himself from getting involved. Was there any chance that was because he was worried about me? No way. He just wanted to keep his family safe. I couldn’t blame him for that, but I could take it out on his ass later.
Shit. That was not a direction I needed my thoughts to go.
“Also, I’ve enlisted X’s help.”
Grant raised his brows. “That’s interesting. What does your father have to say about that?”
“My father doesn’t know.”
“That won’t last long.”
“True, but it’s done, and he’s going to have to accept the help.”
“I wasn’t under the impression that was how families like yours worked.” Grant crossed his arms.
“My father backed himself into a corner and refused to tell me what was going on. He needs help, or everything he’s built is going to fall apart.” I bit my lip to keep from saying anymore. I’d just admitted to some of the most capable men I’d ever met that my family was vulnerable. Deeply ingrained instincts screamed at me to get out of there and go take my cousin down, but my father had fucked up, and it was time to handle things a different way.