Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Not sure it matters,” I said with a shrug, which got me stuck in several places with fucking pins. “She said this started several months ago. If she’s gone this long without treatment, I’m not sure anything can help.”
“I’m just saying, you need to be prepared for her to live longer than you’ve planned.”
“Hey. If she does, great. I don’t want the sprite to die. She’s got so much life in her. I want nothing more than to see her thrive and live to be an old woman.”
“And you’re older than her by what? Fifteen years or more?”
I rolled my eyes. “Something like that.” When the other man just glared at me, I continued. “Look, I got this. I’m giving her everything she wants. If we get a better outcome than we’re expecting, it will just be more time to spoil her. I swear to you, Liam, I’m good with this. No matter how long or short.” I frowned then. “OK, so that’s not exactly true. I’m not going to be good with this if she dies. That I know without a doubt.”
“OK, then.” That seemed to satisfy my friend. “I just don’t want you regretting anything if her illness turns out not to be as bad as she thought. It would hurt you both in unspeakable ways.”
“If I have to give up everything I am to see her live, Liam, I’ll do it. And I’ll be happy till the end of my days. She’s a good girl. If anyone deserves a break, it’s Swan.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear. Now. Suck it up. There’s still a few hours to go before your date. I hope you’ve brushed up on your table manners, because I have it on good authority there is nothing at the Four Seasons you can eat with your fingers.”
“Great. Thanks for reminding me.”
“One other thing. Did you have a talk with little Swan about her experience and her limits?”
I glanced at the tailor, who was busy putting yet another pin in the damned suit. “Yeah. Her experience is practically nil, and her limits are surprisingly broad. You were right. I’ll be her first in most things. But when she said she wanted to experience everything, she meant it. We went over procedures to stop should she be too uncomfortable, and she has yours and Jezebel’s phone numbers should she find herself uncomfortable with me when we travel.” That conversation had ended in another round of “make Swan come as many times as I can.” Just the memory put a smile back on my face.
“Good. Looks like you’ve covered all the bases.”
“Who do you have on the girls while they do their business today?”
“Rycks, Wrath, and Fury. Their women are with them along with Esther and Eden. Grady is on standby if he’s needed, but I don’t anticipate it. So far, Rycks says everyone is having a splendid time.”
“At least someone is,” I muttered. “How much fuckin’ longer?”
The tailor was unperturbed. “Almost finished here, sir. The alterations will take approximately two or three hours. You should be ready on schedule.”
“Good,” I said. “I still need to get her a gift for our date.”
“Might I suggest Tiffany’s?”
“That will definitely make an impression.” The tailor made the comment happily, as if he were a huge part of the conversation. I glared at him, but we both knew El Diablo was right. His gleeful reply was probably his revenge for my attitude toward him.
“I’ll leave the selection to you. That way when you fuck it up, I can have a good laugh.” He smiled at me. We both knew that, although I tried to emulate El Diablo in mannerisms when necessary, I had horrible taste.
“Ha, ha. Very funny.”
“Not yet.” He grinned. “But I’m sure it will be.”
Once the fitting was over, I hopped on my bike and headed over to the jewelry store El Diablo had suggested. I hadn’t realized how much I needed the break until I was flying down the highway with the wind streaming all around me. I definitely needed Swan behind me on the bike. I had the feeling she’d fall in love the instant we took off.
Getting anyone at the fucking store to wait on me took effort and patience I never knew I had. What they wanted to do was call the fucking cops. To be fair, I was in faded blue jeans, motorcycle boots, and a tight T-shirt. I hadn’t exactly tried to hide my tats either. While the women eyed me with appreciative gazes, the manager -- a man in his late fifties to early sixties -- was afraid I was there to rob them. Guess they didn’t often get bikers as paying customers.
“Look,” I said for the sixth time. “I just want to buy a gift for my girl. Is that so hard to grasp? I even have money.” I waved a wad of bills at them. “If you’re not comfortable with cash, I’ve got plastic and a photo ID.” I raised my hands in a gesture meant to put the man at ease. “Whatever makes you happy, old man.” Probably shouldn’t have tacked on the “old man” bit, but the guy was seriously trying my last nerve.