Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Maggie’s dad just looked shell-shocked.
“Call her a slut again and I will end you,” Jack said in a low voice.
“You can’t threaten me! Get out of my house.”
“Gladly,” Ian said. “As soon as you tell us what we want to know, we’ll leave and you will never see your daughter again.”
“Your loss,” Jameson said. “But rest assured, we’ll take very good care of her.”
She expected to feel sad at the thought of never seeing her family again. But it was actually a relief. And she wasn’t on her own anymore. She’d survived being fucking kidnapped. She could survive this too.
“I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t need your approval,” she said quietly. “My relationship isn’t up for discussion. It’s none of your business and it’s not why I’m here. I’m here to talk to you about Uncle Willy.”
Her mother’s face grew cagey while her dad looked away. Rachelle glared at her until her gaze met Ian’s and then she backed down. Ronny was just staring at them all in shock.
“That’s none of your business,” her mum said.
Um, what the hell?
“What do you mean? Of course, Uncle Willy is my business,” she replied.
“I’m his sister. I’m taking care of his affairs.”
“His . . . affairs? What . . . what have you done to him?” Her heart raced and she felt ill.
Ian squeezed her hand, while Jack placed his hand on the small of her back.
Her mum looked offended, but there was still something in her gaze. “All I’m doing is taking care of him.”
“No. The two of you haven’t gotten on in years. You hated Aunt Lia. You hated that he was successful and you’re not. Where. Is. He?”
Her mother started to grow red. “Get out of my house! Now!”
“Where the bloody hell is he?”
“After everything we did for you,” her mother said. “All of the lessons we paid for. Chauffeuring you around. Going without so you could skate. And this is how you repay us?”
“So you’re saying you were parents to her and now she owes you something?” Jack asked.
“You know that I appreciate everything you did for me,” she said quietly.
“Do we? Since you threw it all away!” her mum screeched.
“Threw it all away?” Ian said in a low, dark voice. “She was in a fucking car accident and shattered her hip. And you’re blaming her?”
“She should never have been in that car. She wasn’t supposed to have a boyfriend!” her mother said.
“What? Was she just supposed to stay at home and skate? Never have a life but the one you had mapped out for her?” Jameson asked in a calm voice. “I suppose you were hoping that she’d get a medal at the Olympics, and then what? Sponsorships? Money? Or was it just the idea of being able to lord it over the neighbors?”
“This is none of your business!” her mother snarled.
He wasn’t wrong, though. They’d likely been hoping for all those things. All of their hopes had been pinned on her. And for so long she’d borne the brunt of their disappointment and anger. But no more.
“It wasn’t my fault. Yes, I got in the car. But I didn’t know we’d crash. I just wanted to be normal. To have fun. I was never allowed to do anything but go to school and train.”
Her mother reared back. “So now you’re saying we’re bad parents?”
“I am,” Jack told them.
“I’m just saying that you had high expectations. I’m sorry I couldn’t make you proud, but I’m tired of you calling me a disappointment. If you won’t tell me what happened to Uncle Willy, then I’ll have to find out on my own.”
Turning, she walked toward the door.
“Leave this house and you’re dead to me, Margaret!” her mother screeched.
Maggie sucked in a harsh breath. It hurt more than she thought it would. But she didn’t stop. They weren’t her family. Not anymore. Now, she had her men. She had Uncle Willy and Indie. They were her family.
She walked outside with her men behind her. She didn’t realize she was shaking until Ian drew her into his side, rubbing her back. Maggie buried her face in his sweater.
“I hate this. I hate it.”
Jack moved in behind her.
“You did so well, Maggie,” Jameson told her. “We’re so proud of you.”
Turning her head, she gave him a tremulous smile.
“I’m going to get us a ride to the hotel,” Jameson said, bringing out his phone. He’d just put it away when the door opened and her dad walked out.
She pushed her way out from between Jack and Ian. Although Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulders as Ian took hold of her hand. Jameson shocked her by stepping in front of her.
She gaped at him for a moment, then shook her head to clear it.
I am not turned on by his protectiveness. I am not.