Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“I’ve been watching the news updates. They said Ulysses was dead for at least twenty-four hours. Josh wasn’t here. I know because we’ve been together for the last week,” Shawna murmurs.
“No, you said you were in Italy for a shoot.”
“But I wasn’t. I was with Josh.”
I tug her into my lap before she can say another word. Cupping the back of her head, I take her lips and devour her mouth. I need this connection to calm my nerves.
When I break the kiss, I peck her nose and place my forehead to hers. Her lips are trembling. I know what happened in Greece changed everything for us, but I had planned to make things right this weekend.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs.
“This was on me. I’m the one who’s sorry. Let’s forget about it for now. Are they okay?”
“Yeah, I went to check on them. Achilles is still with them for the weekend. Jeff offered to take them, but Achilles had already fed them, and they seemed happy to be home,” she replies.
“Thanks.”
“It’s late. We should call it a night and start over tomorrow,” Skittles says.
Pit takes in a sharp breath. “She’s right. I need you to tell me more, but my brain is on overload.”
“Yeah, well, these two are chapping my ass with all the lies. I can’t promise I’m not going to flip this table if we continue this shit tonight,” Skittles says and rolls her eyes at us.
“I promise we’ll tell you everything in the morning. It’s time you know who I am and what that means to your family.”
“I’m pregnant, not stupid. I’ve figured out a lot by saying nothing. I’ve been waiting on the two of you to be honest with yourselves, then me.
“If I didn’t love you, Josh, my husband would be prying me off you. I know you know not to hurt her. If you do, I’m personally gonna bring you all the smoke and then some. We clear?”
I smile. I don’t think it’s one Skittles has ever witnessed. The way her eyes widen, I know she sees something she’s never seen in me before. It’s a smile Pit understands because he stiffens and sits up.
“One day, everyone in this room will understand how I feel about this woman. If anyone hurts her, they’ll have to answer to me, not the Josh you know and love, but me.
“The one capable of what I’m being accused of. No one will ever hurt her again. It wouldn’t have happened the first time if I had known.
“If I have to choose between who I want to be and who I need to be because of her. I will always be who I need to be.”
With that, I stand, bringing Shawna with me. “Come on. We’ll come back in the morning. We’re heading to the condo for the night to be close if you need me. Happy birthday, Ox. Sorry about the drama, xáderfi,” I say as we walk out.
“Did he just? Really?” Skittles huffs behind me.
“You’re going to learn one of these days,” I hear Lex snicker. “That one is the one we all need to watch out for.”
Ox
“I’m so sorry your birthday weekend didn’t turn out the way you wanted,” Lex yarns as we walk into our home.
I tug her into me and give her a gentle squeeze. “I’m not sweating it. I’m just ready for all this bullshit to be over.”
“I know what you mean. Who in the world would want to kill Ulysses and frame Josh?”
“May that motherfucker rest in piss. He was a son of a bitch and had it coming. He’s lucky it wasn’t me after the things I’ve learned in the last few weeks,” I grumble.
Lex gasps. “Really?”
I tug her close and kiss the top of her head. “I want you to start carrying whenever you leave the house.”
“I never leave home without it.”
“Good. You’ll have someone on you at all times from now on.”
“Is Shawna safe?”
“I think you read the room. My cousin is more than some pretty boy. Something tells me all decisions are made or will be very soon.”
“She’s more to him than we think, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, baby. A whole lot more. I get it now.”
“But for how long? I’ve been thinking. Shouldn’t Pit question where she was that day and night? I didn’t know I was connected at first.”
I sigh. “He’ll know exactly what he needs by morning. For now, he needs sleep and so do we. Come on, I still have some celebrating I want to do,” I say as I bury my face in her neck and palm her ass.
Chapter 5
Go Deeper
Kelex
The last few days have felt like the longest days of my life. However, I’m glad I followed my gut and sent Shawna ahead of me before I made that stop at my father’s.
I lie here in bed with my thoughts racing. The things that were revealed before we left Greece gutted me. I didn’t want to leave things that way, but I had to.