Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
My hand settles on his chest. “You thought I’d confront him if you told me.”
“I thought you’d believe you could convince him to forgive the deal.”
I lean back to look at him. “I would have, and after the conversation I had with him in Montana, I would have been wrong. I’m glad you held back. You saved us.” I wave my hand. “Enough about my father.” And since the line still isn’t moving, I ask, “Are we still going to Paris for Christmas?”
“Unless you’d rather go somewhere else,” Reid says, stroking my hair. “It’s beautiful around Christmas time,” he adds. “Paris goes all out for the holidays and I’d loved to share that with you.”
“What about Gabe and Cat? Don’t you spend Christmas with them?”
“Since Reese and Cat got married, we’ve been going to their place.”
“Before that?”
“It varied. I made a habit of getting out of town.”
“Alone?”
“Yeah, baby. Alone. The holidays are about family and commitment and you know how I felt about those things. I didn’t want anyone seeing anything I did as an invitation to get closer to me.”
Because of his girlfriend’s murder. Because of how much he blamed himself. Because he didn’t want anyone to love him enough to take a bullet for him again. “We had a good Thanksgiving at your sister’s place,” I remind him.
“I’m not running away from family. Not anymore. Not now that I have you. I just want us to have a special first Christmas together. And—”
The line moves forward, and a guard hurries us toward the exit posts, forcing Reid to hold back whatever else he was about to say, but it’s not a subject I’m allowing us to close. I love his sister and I think they need to mend their relationship after years of him pushing her away. They’re getting there, too. They’ve made progress in their relationship, and one thing I know for certain is that he has regrets where she’s concerned. My future husband is damaged in ways I never imagined possible, and I know Cat can’t either. She doesn’t know why he’s acted like an ass and it’s not my place to tell her about the shooting but I believe there are ways that I can help her see that there is more to her brother than meets the eye. He’s not the asshole he made me, or her, believe.
We finally clear customs and Reid drapes his arm around my shoulder. I want to bring up the holiday again, but I decide we have time to talk about this later. Right now, I just want to revel in the fact that not only are we together, we’re getting married. We’re also in Japan to celebrate and complete an absolutely huge deal we’ve closed for Grayson Bennett’s company, which means for our two family firms, as well. Our partnering to close this deal for both companies, is bringing the families together even if our fathers don’t want them to be together.
We’ve just passed through the doors that lead to baggage claim and I’m eager to get out of here. The hotel is calling us. We need to rest and I want to show Reid how much I love my ring properly, preferably without clothes. That goal is suddenly waylaid as an unexpected, but familiar visitor stops in front of us and forces us to halt.
My brother, looking tall, dark and arrogant in one of his outrageously expensive suits, his handsome faces schooled in judgment, stops directly in front of us.
“Anthony,” Reid greets coldly identifying him despite never having met him. He holds me close, making a clear statement: She’s mine and fuck you. And I don’t blame him. Anthony tried to ruin him and us in all kinds of devious ways.
“You,” Anthony says, his green eyes piercing Reid’s. “I didn’t think you’d make it. I thought she’d kick you to the curb.”
“Because you sent me that document that made it seem like he was trying to destroy West Enterprises?” I challenge. “I know the truth behind that document and I mean everything. I went to see dad and he and Stella told me the truth.” I hold up my hand and show him my ring. “Reid and I are getting married. He has been a part of making you a lot of money. Thank him because you owe him and then congratulate us.”
“I owe him all right,” Anthony says, still looking at Reid. “For the hell he put dad through.” His gaze cold and hard, shifts to mine. “Obviously, you don’t need an escort. I’ll leave you to your fiancée.” He turns and walks away.
Reid turns me in his arms and cups my face. “Carrie, baby—”
“I’m okay. It’s okay.” My hands go to his face. “My father pretended to be perfect. Anthony never did. I know what he is. I know who he is, but that’s exactly why I’m worried he’s going to come at you in some way.”