Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
He sipped at his whiskey and glanced over at his father, who was once again looking over one of the files they had on Davis. This would keep him in line. They were keeping a close watch on Laura’s parents to make sure there wasn’t another loophole with which to keep the prize from them.
“She was always a sweet girl,” his father said.
“Excuse me?”
“I remember Laura’s birth. Her parents were so frightened. Isabella knew the terms of the Will, and had already figured out something would happen to her.” Antonio put down the picture he’d picked up.
Marcus had seen it many times during his visits with his father to the Davis household. The image was of the small family, Laura and her parents. She had to be around five in the photo, no more. Her hair was pulled back in pigtails at each side of her head. He’d hated her on sight, even as a boy of eight.
“Well, once I marry the bitch, we can bring everything back into the family, and then Laura will die.”
Antonio laughed. “You were always a stubborn boy. Not seeing the truth even as it stared you in the face.”
Marcus looked at his father.
“The Will is everything, Marcus,” his father said, coming to sit opposite him. “Did you even take a look at it?”
“Of course. I know what I must do.”
“Then you know that no matter what, Laura cannot die, not before she has given birth, and not from any suspicious activity either. No gunshot wounds or poison.”
Marcus hadn’t read that tiny little detail. “Given birth?”
“You really thought this marriage would be in name only? You have to prove you’ve consummated the marriage, Marcus, and you will have to get her pregnant, and soon. None of us want this to go badly. This fortune will become yours, and in doing this, it will cement the rightful heir, you and your sons.”
“And if I have daughters?”
“Then you fuck Laura until she gives you sons. Sons make our family strong, not women.” Antonio got to his feet. “I will be leaving you now. I’ll have a guard posting in the morning. Saturday Laura will be yours.” Antonio shook his hand. “Have a good evening.”
His father had never been the comforting sort. He often preferred his belt and gun to hugs.
Growing up into the made man he was, Marcus never had it easy, not like the Lauras of his world, who never had to do a day’s hard work in their lives. She’d had it easy until now. He would make sure she knew what being a made man’s wife was all about.
Getting to his feet, he made his way outside and saw her, walking around the large yard with her dog, Lucas. He was a cocker spaniel, incredibly cute, and not any kind of guard dog. He loved attention, and in the short time he’d been at Davis’s house, the dog showed his love way too easily.
The moment Laura spotted him, she paused.
Her face didn’t change, but she hesitated as she took the next step. There was no way to avoid him unless she walked around the front of the building, and seeing as there were guards everywhere, she wasn’t getting away that easily.
“Can I even walk in my garden now?”
“It’s a beautiful night,” he said.
She tilted her head back, looking up at the sky. It was warm, one of the last days of summer before the chill of fall began to hit. He stared at Laura. She wore a pajama T-shirt without a bra, and she had on a pair of ducky bottoms, and fluffy boots. In a weird way, it was sexy to see her like this. All the time he’d seen Laura in the past, she’d been cool, calm, collected.
“If you’ll excuse me.”
She didn’t have a leash for Lucas.
He whistled and bent down to the dog, who came to him instantly.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m saying hello to your friend. You did sacrifice yourself for him after all.”
“Don’t hurt him.”
He ran his hand down the dog, who tucked himself against him.
“He’s a good boy. He’s no guard dog.”
“I don’t need a guard dog.”
“As my wife you will always need one.”
“I don’t want another dog.”
“I’ll be making sure your guard is very much human and can’t be bought with a few treats and a couple of steaks.” He pulled a treat out of his pocket, and Lucas took it without hesitation.
“Did you intend to harm him?” Laura asked.
He stood up, seeing her folded arms and attitude.
Laura never backed down from him, and he loved the fight she often brought toward him.
“You think you can sass me around?” He stepped up close to her. She stepped away. He grabbed her around the throat and pressed her up against the wall. There was no space for her to move or complain.