Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 134531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Swiss had been in the common room, threatening death and dismemberment to each of his brothers if they tried anything with Violet.
We’d stayed for a drink, and I’d watched Violet interact easily with everyone, playing pool with Colby, Lucas and Elden. She was not self-conscious or intimidated by any of the men, even Elden who was pretty darn intimidating. Although I was hesitant about leaving her there, I knew in my gut that she’d be just fine.
Once Swiss was satisfied that everyone was sufficiently threatened, we said goodbye to Violet—it was much harder than I’d expected considering we were only ten minutes away—and rode back to the house.
Swiss then demonstrated just how much he’d been holding back while Violet had been staying with us.
My wrists burned from the cuffs he’d just taken off, my body thrumming with satisfaction and exertion.
It was a very good thing that Violet was miles away. That the closest house was miles away.
“You’re thinking about somethin’,” Swiss prompted after I’d been silent for a while.
“Yeah, I’ve been, uh… thinking about it for a while.” I was suddenly very nervous. Swiss and I did not have secrets. Not anymore. This wasn’t a secret… exactly. It was a dream. One that I hadn’t told anyone about. One that had steadily grown with my confidence, my feeling of safety, security. With the knowledge that we were making a life together.
Swiss adjusted us so I was facing at him. He’d obviously heard my voice catch, understood that this was serious. And he wasn’t about to let us have a serious conversation without eye contact.
“Continue,” he ordered once my irises were locked with his.
“Well, you know I got an, um, modest sum from the divorce settlement,” I cleared my throat.
He nodded. He knew that because he—or someone in the club—had been the one to set the terms of my divorce settlement.
The sum wasn’t exactly modest, but considering the amount I’d donated, it was less than a quarter of Preston’s money, not counting Violet’s college fund, of course.
It was a specific amount of money, for a specific goal.
“There’s a building for sale in town that I’ve been looking at,” I told him, thinking of the old, romantic structure with mosaic windows and a view of the desert. It was right at the end of Main Street, before the wilderness began to take back over.
“It’s been for sale for a while,” I added.
“Know the one,” Swiss squinted, looking like he was calling it up in his mind. “Overpriced, that’s why it’s not sellin’.”
I nodded in agreement. “It is. Which is why they’ll likely take an all-cash offer well under asking rather than stay on the market for longer.”
Swiss quirked a brow. “You really have been givin’ this some thought.”
“I’ve never had the opportunity to think about life outside of being a wife and mother,” my face warmed. “And although I love the thought of being your wife, I cannot wait to be something in addition to that for the first time in my life.”
Swiss’s face had softened. “You can be anything you wanna be,” he murmured. “And I’ll support it. Do everything in my power to make it happen.”
I smiled. “I know you will,” I whispered. “And what I will probably need is for you to do some heavy lifting, to make sure contractors don’t rip me off, and to taste test my menu.”
His eyes danced. “Menu?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I’ve always wanted to have my own restaurant. Somewhere that feels comfortable and upmarket but not in a snobby way. Where I can cook whatever I want, whatever’s in season.” I sighed. “I know I don’t know anything about running a business, and—”
“I think it’s a great fuckin’ idea,” Swiss interrupted before I could talk down on myself further. “You’re an excellent fuckin’ cook. Seems to be a crime not to share that. Though I’m not adverse to committing a crime or two.” He winked. “We’ll put in an offer tomorrow.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“This is your dream, right?”
I nodded.
“Well, then it’s my job to do everything in my power to make it happen,” he said simply.
And he was dead serious.
The very next morning, bright and early, Swiss walked into the real estate office with our offer.
Well under asking.
All cash.
The contract was drawn up by the end of the day.
The restaurant was in my name.
Mine.
It had all transpired within twenty-four hours of me mentioning what I wanted. Obviously, there had to be a party to celebrate. Violet jumped around in glee then rushed off to open her computer, designing the space for me. She spent the rest of the night staring at it, deep in thought.
Eventually, she’d closed it and murmured something about doing more work ‘back at the club,’ kissed my cheek absently, hugged Swiss and left.
Both of us had been shocked.
Her and Swiss were friends by this point. It was clear that Violet liked him, but she had yet to develop an easy affection with him like she had with me. Which made sense… That kind of thing didn’t happen overnight.