Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Like mine.”
Something inside him settled. Maybe they would never have Eliot. But they had each other.
“Come on, let’s go get our special Easter outfits on!” he said, pushing back the covers. “I’m going to find so many Easter eggs!”
“Not as many as me!” she cried.
They quickly got dressed in the outfits that Eliot had bought them from the shop here on the Ranch. Isla was wearing an oversized pink sweater with a white fluffy bunny on the front and pink pants with rabbit ears at the knees.
His sweater was blue with small bunnies all over it. And they both had bunny shoes that were so freaking adorable. He did a little dance after putting them on.
“Let’s go!” He raced toward the door.
“Wait! We’ve got to wait. We can’t leave without Eliot!” She reached out to wrap her arms around his waist.
He stilled. Darn it. He’d forgotten.
There was a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it!” He bounced to the door, but when he opened it, Eliot wasn’t standing on the other side.
“You didn’t ask who it was,” Cullen grumbled.
Oops.
Just as well it wasn’t Eliot. Or his butt would be red right now.
“Knew it was you. I could smell your cologne.”
Cullen just shook his head. “Can I come in?”
“Of course, cousin. My hotel suite is your hotel suite. Unless it’s hanky-panky time.”
Isla groaned and hid her face.
“Believe me, I have no desire to be here during hanky-panky time,” Cullen said dryly. He walked in and shut the door behind him.
“Yeah, it must be hard for you when you can’t possibly measure up to Marcus Junior.”
“Good lord,” Cullen muttered. “It’s too early for this.”
“Be thankful we’re already dressed,” Marcus replied.
“Oh, believe me, I am.”
“Where’s Ivy?”
“She’s sleeping in. I’m going to go get her up soon. She wants to be well-rested for the Easter egg hunt later.”
“Hope she’s prepared for me to whip her ass!” Marcus said.
“I’ll warn her. Don’t eat so much chocolate that you vomit.”
“No promises.” Marcus drew Isla over to the sofa, then sat with her on his lap. He felt her squirm and knew she was embarrassed to be sitting here like this in front of Cullen.
But he wasn’t her employer anymore. He really didn’t understand why she didn’t believe him when he told her that she was fired.
Silly La-la.
“Sit still.” He gave her a light slap on the side of her thigh. “Unless you’re trying to get me excited.”
“Marcus! Stop it,” she groaned.
“You’re the one who keeps squirming around.”
“I need you guys to be serious for a moment and listen to me,” Cullen said.
Isla had now grown tense. Jeez, Cullen sure knew how to ruin a good time.
“What is it?” Isla asked.
“The police just called me. They said they tried you, Isla, but your phone was off, and I’d left my number with the officer.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Good news. They found the guy who broke into your apartment.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Yeah, the idiot was selling stuff online and got reported. Your jewelry was found in his car.”
“Really? My grandma’s pearl necklace?”
“They have it.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” She slumped against Marcus, burying her face in his chest. Her shoulders were moving, and he rubbed her back, staring at Cullen in alarm.
“Sweetie, it’s okay,” he reassured her. “This is good news.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“It’s just such a r-relief. He’s not a threat anymore. I mean… I knew he wouldn’t be able to get to me again. But it was always this w-worry in the back of my head. And to know that they found my grandma’s necklace. She was… she was the one person who was k-kind to me growing up.”
“It’s okay. They have the necklace, and that asshole won’t touch you again. Not that I was going to let him.”
“I know. I know you wouldn’t.”
There was a knock on the door, and Cullen got up to answer.
“Cullen, this is a surprise.”
Both Eliot and Cullen had kind of circled around each other for a start. But they now got on pretty well. Even if Cullen didn’t entirely agree with their arrangement.
“Just here to speak to Marcus and Isla. I’ll get going. See you at the hunt later.”
Eliot moved his gaze to them, worry immediately filling his face.
“What’s going on? What’s wrong? Little one?” Eliot rushed over to them, crouching in front of them. “What’s happened? What the hell did Cullen do?”
It was rare for Eliot to get grouchy, but he looked like he was headed to a blow-out. And Cullen was his target.
“Cullen didn’t do anything,” Marcus said quickly. Because as protective as Cullen was of him, Marcus was equally as protective of him.
“No, it’s good news,” Isla said, pulling back from Marcus. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed and relieved.”
“What is it, baby?” Eliot asked. He reached over to grab a tissue and wiped her cheeks. “Blow, first.”
She blew her nose and Marcus kissed the top of her head as she took a deep breath. “The guy who robbed me has been arrested.”