Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“The gangster wannabe. You need to get her away from him.”
She huffed out a laugh. “You think I haven’t tried? And she just mentioned to me how much of a hypocrite I am putting Ice down when I’m dating you. I mean, is that what we’re doing? Because we haven’t really talked about it.”
“You’re mad.”
She rubbed her hand over her face. “Maybe I should be. I don’t know. I’m so confused. I knew there was something going on, how could I not? Yet, I chose to ignore the signs, so that’s on me. I can’t be angry with you about that. How bad is it? What you do? I mean, I know that’s a stupid question. Breaking the law is still breaking the law so it’s all bad, right? But you . . . you treat me so well. I’ve never been with someone like you. And it’s so hard to try to merge the two sides of you together.”
“Calm down, baby. You’re going to give yourself a bad headache.”
“How can I want you when you’re . . . you’re . . .”
“A bad person?” he offered.
She shook her head, then winced in pain. “But you’re not a bad person. I know that.”
“I do bad things. I’ve done terrible things. Some of them I regret, some of them I don’t. I’m my brother’s enforcer, the guy who stands between him and danger. And that means I’ve had to get my hands dirty. And I don’t blame you for not wanting them to touch you.” He stared down at his hands. “I don’t think they’ll ever be clean again.”
“Victor,” she whispered hoarsely, hating the look of loathing that crossed his face. The pain in his voice.
She didn’t want that for him. Or for her.
God, did she . . . did she love this man?
But she hadn’t known him long enough for that. Right?
And he hadn’t been truthful with her. But she hadn’t pressed him for answers.
She reached for him, and he drew back, breathing heavily.
“This is it, Gracen.”
“What? You mean . . . it’s over? Just like that?” A sob broke free from her mouth.
“Baby.” He closed his eyes, looking pained. Then he opened them, piercing her with the sorrow and resolve she saw looking back at her. “It’s a crossroads. Where you decide which path to take.”
She wiped at the tears leaking down her cheeks. “What path?”
“You have to decide whether you can be with me or not. My life is dangerous and it’s wrong, but I can’t turn away from it. This is who I am. Who I’m always going to be. I didn’t tell you because I was selfish. Because I wanted you to be mine, but being mine won’t be easy. Not that I know how to walk away from you. Fuck. But I should give you this one chance to leave.”
Her tears were coming faster, and she reached for a tissue with a shaky hand.
“If you were mine, Gracen, I would always be in charge of your safety. There would be things in place to keep you protected. I wouldn’t ever be able to share everything. And there’s no leaving this life once you’re in. Once I claim you, you’d have to live with it. Not only that, but you have to fucking thrive. Because I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d cherish you. I’d protect you. I’d fucking adore and love you. I’d do whatever it took to stop the darkness from touching you. But I’m never leaving it, understand?”
Not really. But she nodded anyway.
“If you said yes to being mine, I would never let you go. I would fucking own you. Do you get that, Gracen?”
“Would I own you?”
“Baby. You already do.”
She took a shuddering breath.
“Going to go now. I’m going to give you one chance. If you want me, then you know how to get in touch. But, baby, I’m always there in the shadows watching over you. Because you’re a part of me now.”
He stepped back and walked out.
She just sat there, trying to remember how to breathe. Had he really just left after laying that on her? How could he do that?
And could she really let him go?
Because she already felt ill at the thought of never seeing him again. A sob worked its way out of her.
She wanted to race after him, tell him that she wanted to be with him. But she knew he was giving her a chance to think and she should take it. Because there would be no leaving once she was in.
She got the feeling he didn’t give many people these sorts of chances. And she would do a disservice to both of them not to take some time to think this through.
All she knew, though, was that she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it.