Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 63415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“Thank you but I’m sure I’m fine.”
“Well, if you wake up and you don’t feel great, stay home.”
She nodded.
Aurora returned after feeding the baby and walked over to Jordan and Linc’s side of the table. “Did Jordan tell you about the bitch in the bathroom?”
Jordan flinched. She should have told Aurora not to say anything, but it hadn’t even occurred to her.
Linc’s eyes narrowed. “What is she talking about? What happened?”
Aurora, who was holding Leah against her shoulder and patting the baby’s back, looked from Linc to Jordan, understanding filling her gaze. “Oops! I need to go sit down. It’s easier to burp her when I’m sitting,” she rattled, then turned and walked back to her chair.
“Jordan?”
“It was no big deal. Just a run-in with Angelica. Nothing I can’t handle.” She’d thought that was true, but then why was she trembling inside? Why was a lump forming in her throat? And why was she nauseous again?
“Dammit. What did she say to you?” He looked furious, his eyes turning a deep blue, color highlighting his cheekbones.
She forced in a breath of air. “Listen, there are things women say to each other when they’re…” She trailed off. There wasn’t anything she could come up with to placate him. “It doesn’t matter. I handled it.”
His body vibrated with anger. “But you shouldn’t have to handle her at all.”
“I’m wiped out. I’m going to call a car to take me home. You stay with your family for the end of the party. Okay?” Her fingers shook as she picked up her purse and searched for her phone.
He put a hand on her trembling one. “I can leave. It’s practically over anyway. At least those horrific games are.”
That made her laugh. “I don’t want to take you away from the party or your family.”
“My decision. Let’s say our goodbyes. Everyone will understand.”
Because she knew she couldn’t win, she gave in. They made their rounds of thank-yous and goodbyes. Aurora promised to text pictures of the presents she hadn’t yet opened and share them later.
And though, when they reached her apartment, Linc wanted to come upstairs and make sure she was okay, she insisted she wanted to fall into bed and go to sleep. Despite his concern, he gave in.
But he didn’t look happy about it.
* * *
Back in his apartment after the party, Linc poured himself a glass of Macallan 18 and settled into a chair in the living room, kicking his feet up on the leather ottoman in front of him. He lifted his glass, studying the amber-colored liquid. Today had been … interesting. A baby shower wasn’t an event he’d like to repeat, but watching Aurora’s face as she took in the room, the stack of presents, and the number of people who’d come was worth sitting through the torture.
He didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life, but it was way too soon to ask or pressure her in any way. The conversation would come in time.
His thoughts turned to Jordan and today’s mess, courtesy of Angelica. It wasn’t like Chloe hadn’t warned him about the women at the club and in their family’s world, but it had been hard for him to comprehend. Until Jordan had been exposed to Angelica’s venom firsthand. Linc had no idea what his ex had said, but Jordan had obviously been shaken, and Aurora hadn’t liked it either. He wanted to know but Jordan wouldn’t talk. Hell, she hadn’t even wanted him around. Giving her space seemed like a good idea, but if she didn’t eventually tell him, he wasn’t above asking Aurora for details.
With that settled, he turned his thoughts to the business. Despite how much the company was currently leveraged, Linc had borrowed the money to pay Beck from a trusted lender. Next week, Linc would meet with the man to hand him a check and have the satisfaction of seeing his face when Linc informed him he wouldn’t get his hands on any part of Kingston Enterprises. Linc would have no choice but to be a partner in this deal, but he’d keep Beck away from the family business.
Based on his calculations, Linc could fix things over the next five years, and he took solace in knowing he had a plan. His father’s surprise investments kept coming to light, but he thought they’d uncovered them all now. Linc would set things right. But he still needed to find Wallace and find out exactly how his father had gotten them into this situation and why. His dementia was only part of the story, of that Linc was certain.
His phone buzzed, and he pulled his cell from his pocket to see Dash had texted. “We’re downstairs and coming up.”
We obviously meant Dash and Xander. And because they were on the permanent list downstairs, Linc was lucky they’d given him warning before descending on him and his well-stocked bar.