Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
I want to know the answer to the same question, but don’t dare ask out loud.
“You didn’t deserve to be beaten and violated. Although you had a sexual relationship with him, what he did to you was non-consensual. You could have remained quiet, but you didn’t.”
My body tenses, ready for any type of reaction. Apparently, being a maniacal lunatic turns Craig Johns on. After beating Darla and putting a gun to her mouth, he jacked off on her face. That fact, along with his intentions for Rowan, added to his list of offenses. The man is going down.
“I overstepped my professional capabilities, triggered a madman, and became a statistic of abuse. All because of my entitlement to get Major back. You think I deserve your appreciation?” Darla looks at me quizzically. “Is she for real?”
Pride fills me, and I circle Jewls’ waist, pulling her closer. “She’s as real as they come.”
“Total opposite of me.”
“Don’t go there.”
She nods, turning her head as her eyes swell with tears. “You both deserve my apology.”
“Accepted.” Jewls beats my reply. “I think somewhere inside you is a good person. The risk you took to identify Koby’s killer, and coming forward when Rowan and I were kidnapped, doesn’t fit the raging bitch persona.”
Darla’s gaze cuts back to me. “Did they catch him?”
“They arrested him today. Koby’s death was one of many useless lives taken in the gang world.”
“Are you happy?”
“Happier than a man like me deserves to be. I truly have it all.”
“She have any faults?”
“Not in my eyes.”
She holds my stare, her face turning thoughtful. “You’re wrong. You deserve it all.”
A sense of closure spreads through my system, the hatred washing away in its wake.
“It’s hard to miss that ring.”
“Go big or go home.” I grin smugly, twisting the ring on Jewls’ finger.
“Figures.”
“Darla, it’s been bugging me. In your quest to win Major back, why did you join a defense firm? They are on opposite sides of law enforcement.”
She focuses back on Jewls. “The DA’s office is on a hiring freeze. I figured handling DUIs would work until an opening popped up. You’d be surprised how much people will pay to make a DUI go away.”
With that, I’m done, turning Jewls and keeping my arms around her waist. “We have a dinner to get to.”
“What’ll you do now?” Jewls asks.
Darla shrugs, picking at the tassel on the pillow. “Chicago and Nashville hold too many memories. The small-town life looks appealing. My firm and I came to a mutual agreement. Close out my case files and I’m free.”
In other words, she was fired and they don’t want the publicity.
“Good luck to you, Darla. I hope you find whatever it is that makes you happy,” Jewls tells her sincerely.
Without another word, I usher Jewls out, knowing this is the last time I’ll see Darla Strauss. She didn’t deserve what happened, but for the first time in years, I am free of her toxicity.
This time, we’re alone in the elevator and I take advantage, yanking her to me.
“You’re fucking amazing.”
“I know.”
My lips twitch but I go on. “That being said, you’ll pay for this stunt later.”
“That’s not a threat.” She shimmies against me.
“I’m not waiting all night. As soon as the rehearsal is over, and we get to the dinner, you find a place for me to fuck you in this dress.”
She smiles, lifting up to touch her lips to mine. “There’s a family bathroom on the first floor. Already scoped it out.”
“Fucking perfect.”
38
Major
“Breathtaking,” I mouth, drawing a blinding smile.
Jewls refused to let me see her before the ceremony, citing it was her duty to be by Harley’s side all day.
I stare at her now, counting the minutes until I can drag her back to my room. The strapless blue dress fits perfectly to her chest and body, flaring at the waist.
A waistline that she informed me this morning was showing signs of a slight bump. This thrilled me. I want her showing, to see her grow and know my children are safe inside. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting a right hook before the day even started.
I’ll tell her tonight. Right after I get her out of this dress and bury myself inside her.
The air around us changes as silence falls over the standing crowd. The second Harley comes into sight, Ace jolts. I know what is coming. Ford and Talon snicker at my back, knowing the same.
“Hold it together, Ace.”
My words are wasted as he stalks down the aisle to meet Rich and Harley. Amanda lets out a soft, shaken cry. Sandy follows.
Rich gives Ace a hard time, refusing to step aside until Harley lays her head on his shoulder, whispers something, and his eyes dart between her and Ace.
“She’s my baby girl.”
“She’s my entire world,” Ace counters.
The hush in the crowd is filled with sighs, gasps, and breaths hitching. Rich kisses her cheek, relinquishes her arm to Ace, and steps behind to accompany them back to the raised platform, where we all wait.