Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
The pictures on Bruno’s phone tell a different story. It’s easy to put two and two together and come up with a snake who decided to stab me in the back by joining forces with my cartel enemies. That’s a mistake you only make once, which this dumb son-of-a-bitch is about to find out.
We drive up to what looks like an abandoned junkyard. “Just as we’ve been suspecting, the Carmona Kings have been using this place to hide out near Silver Spoon Falls,” Bruno informs me. We’ve been keeping an eye on all large available or abandoned properties near town, knowing the Kings would need someplace close to stay off the radar. This place came to our attention recently, and we’ve been watching it closely.
“When the van headed this way, we figured they were heading to this property,” Bruno tells me.
Dmitri cuts in, “I split up the crew and sent half here and kept half at the compound to make sure this isn’t a diversion for their real attack.” I appreciate my nephew’s effort to take control while my mind has been elsewhere. He’s proven that my unwavering trust isn’t misplaced.
I forget all about the goddamn cartel and my soon-to-be former business partner when I see Carlton carrying my girl toward the SUV. Ignoring the threat of danger, I hop out and rush over to them. “Are you okay?” I grab Belle from my man’s arms and pull her sweet body against mine. I’m able to take a deep breath for the first time since I found out she’d been taken. In that moment, I promise myself that no one will ever get close enough to my girl to hurt her again.
“I’m fine.” My little beauty lays her head against my shoulder and twists her hands in the front of my shirt. “I’m so freaking glad to see you.”
“I’m not ever going to let you out of my sight again.” I hop back in the SUV with her in my arms, just in case my men haven’t rounded up all the stragglers. “You aren’t allowed to give me a scare like this ever the fuck again or I’ll spank your luscious ass red.”
“First, I’d like to point out that this was not my fault.” She stares into my eyes and smirks. “And second, you threatening to spank me isn’t really a threat at all.”
“Keep it up,” I warn her as my cock hardens and pokes into her luscious ass. “And my men will get more than they bargained for when they watch me spank your ass.”
“Oh. Kinky,” Belle jokes and snuggles against me. “You really keep me on my toes.”
I didn’t want to do this in front of my nephew and our men, but I can’t stop myself from kissing her soft lips and stating. “I fucking love you.” I’ve been waiting for the right moment to tell her how I feel, and this is it. “I can’t stand the thought of living the rest of my life without you by my side.” I push Belle’s messy hair behind her ears and stare into her honey eyes. She’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. Her eyes fill with tears, and I rub my thumbs across her soft skin to wipe them away when those tears trail down her cheeks.
“I love you, too. Gramps.” She laughs. “And I can’t imagine my life without you, either.” Her words soothe my soul, and relief flows through me when I realize today’s events haven’t convinced my brave little beauty to run from me.
“As soon as I can arrange it, I’m going to marry you.” No use asking since there’s no way I’d let Belle tell me no. I’d just find a way to convince her. “Then I’m going to knock your little ass up until we’re too old to have any more kids. You’ll be too busy chasing our kids around to give me gray hairs.”
“I wouldn’t count on your plan working, gramps. I’m sure I’ll find the time to give you gray hairs while I keep up with the kids. And my job,” she throws in, and I realize there’s no way I can ask her to give up her career. But I will ensure that she’s perfectly safe any time she’s away from me.
Epilogue One
BELLE
Once Dante Arakas makes up his mind, things happen at warp speed. Two weeks and three days after my kidnapping, we have a quick wedding ceremony in the Silver Spoon Falls courthouse. Dante wanted to have a huge, fancy affair, but I talked him into toning things down. After all the excitement of the last few weeks, I wanted something small and private.
Now, we’re on our way to a private Caribbean island for our dream honeymoon. What can I say? He spoils me rotten.
I relax and lay my head on Dante’s shoulder as the private plane levels off. “You spoil me rotten.”