Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
He tells me about growing up in Baltimore. He alludes to his father and makes it clear that their relationship wasn’t great. He mentions his mother died in childbirth, which breaks my heart.
“I lost my mom young too,” I tell him, shifting closer as I put my plate back down on the tray. I ate everything. I must’ve been hungrier than I realized. “It’s not easy growing up without a mother.”
“Even harder in our world,” he says, watching me carefully, head tilted to the side. His lips are pressed together like he’s considering something. “My older brother, Arsen, runs the family now, but before he took over, our father was a hard-ass. Everything was his way or else. It was more difficult for my brother, but me…”
He trails off and leans his head back, closing his eyes.
“There must’ve been a lot of pressure,” I say softly, trying to imagine what that must’ve been like. I know Evan gets some of that from our dad; he’s expected to take over the business one day in the future. They don’t always agree, but at least Dad hasn’t been an abusive bastard about it.
At least not until recently.
“It’s the nature of our family.” His eyes open again and he’s looking at me with a deep, obsessive intensity. I like that stare. It sends chills down my spine. I picture him between my legs, grinding and growling, his big body dominating mine. It makes me start to rethink the whole night off thing.
“Does it have to be like that though?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Everywhere we turn, we have enemies. There are people who want to tear my family to pieces. The Brotherhood is the pinnacle of power in Baltimore, but it wasn’t always like that. We clawed our way to the top and pissed off a lot of people in the process.”
I look away and remember the blast of the car bomb, the screech of ripped steel, the shouts and alarms. “Is that who tried to kill me?”
“The McGraths,” he says with deep disdain. “They’re a relatively new Irish clan. Their father was a powerful politician who built himself a little criminal empire. When he died ten years back, he left it all to his sons, Liam and Seamus. Liam’s the head of the business while Seamus runs their street-level muscle. Similar to the way Arsen and I split up the Brotherhood.” He shifts closer and puts a hand on my leg. I stare at his fingers, thick and callused and strong, crossing the line into my space. “You don’t have to worry about them,” he says softly.
And I believe him. I don’t know why—clearly someone’s trying to kill me—but he makes me feel this strange sense of safety.
Like he’d die to protect me.
A rush of desire comes over my body. Screw being sore. Let it hurt. I want my husband, and what’s wrong with that? There’s nothing improper about having sex with him whenever I want to. That’s the whole point of marriage, right?
To fuck like rabbits without any shame?
I mean, there’s probably more to it, but right now I’m not thinking clearly.
But before I can open my mouth to invite him into my room, he pushes himself to his feet with a soft grunt.
“Vito tells me you did a lot of work tonight,” he says, gathering up my things. “You left your room to help him carry packages. Thank you for doing that.”
“Oh.” I blink in surprise. “It’s not a big deal.”
“He won’t ever ask you for help, but he’s not as young as he used to be. I really appreciate you, and I’m happy you left your room.” Tigran smiles slightly and turns away. “That’s just between us, by the way. The man still has his pride.”
“I won’t,” I whisper, pulse hammering between my legs.
Why don’t I say it? Why can’t I tell him to come into my bedroom? I know he’d do it—he made it clear that he wants me. Physically, at least. I’m sure if I said I was ready to sleep with him again, he’d throw that tray on the floor, drag me to the bed, and fuck me mindless.
I just can’t do it. I can’t say the words. Please come fuck me tonight, you big scary monster. I’m too embarrassed and weak to open my stupid mouth. Instead, I watch him walk off into his apartment, disappearing around the corner, and then he’s gone.
“Ah, shit,” I groan, bumping my head once against the wall. “Ouch, you idiot.” I get up, close the door, and rub my skull, grumbling to myself.
I really need to find a way to yank the stick from my ass.
Otherwise, I’ll never be able to just ask for what I want.
Chapter 14
Tigran
“Honestly, Tigran, is this really necessary?” Aunt Sona scowls at me as she empties her purse on the dining room table. “This is beyond paranoid.”