Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“That’s not all. The Caldwell brothers are here too.” When it rains, it pours. I’m already heading for the door. Kate falls in step beside me.
“I don’t have them down for a meeting.”
“That’s because there isn’t one scheduled,” Kate advises me. I haven’t spoken to them in any form since that dinner. They’d emailed, texted, and called. When they didn’t get a response, they went to Kate. I advised her to ignore them. I was still pissed about that dinner, and honestly, I’m not sure if I want to sell ClickIt anymore. Especially not to people like them. It’s not because I have any sort of attachment to it, but Lev enjoys it here.
“I didn’t take them as the popping-up kind.” Kate utters these words as we descend the stairs to the lobby. I spot Lev’s father instantly. He is waving his arms around and shouting at the front desk guard. I can tell he’s highly intoxicated.
I’m sure they paused on what to do because the man was claiming to be Lev’s father, and everyone knows by now that Lev is a hot button for me. I don’t get worked up easily. Hell, no one around here has ever seen me pissed before Lev came along. The possessive protectiveness I have for her can drive away all rational thoughts.
“Sir, I wasn’t sure what to do.” Johnny puts his hand on his taser, which is strapped to his waist. Tom spins around to see me hit the last stair. The Caldwell brothers are standing around watching.
“Where is my daughter?!” The man actually has the balls to start toward me.
“Sir?” Johnny is itching to tase him, but I nod him off. I want nothing more than to handle this asshole myself.
“You can’t just take her. Not without—” He doesn’t get to finish that sentence because I coldcock him. Tom crumples to the floor.
“Holy fuck,” Nick mutters.
“What are you doing here?” I send a glare toward the brothers.
They both take a step back. “Needed to talk.”
Lev’s father groans, rolling over on the ground. I want to kick him for good measure, but I restrain myself because I see my Lev pulling open the lobby door. Her eyes widen at the sight in front of her.
“Dad?” Lev rushes over to where we’re all standing. His only response is another groan as he rolls over. “What is going on?” Lev’s eyes are still wide.
“Everything is fine.” I reach for her, pulling her into me.
“Should I call the police?” Johnny asks.
“No!” Kate snaps.
“Yes!” Tom says from the floor.
“He’s getting blood on the floor.” Paul points out the obvious. His expression is one of disgust.
“I think we need to call your lawyer,” Kate .
“Probably a good idea,” my dad adds.
“A lawyer.” Lev's head rests against my chest. “Oh my God.” Her whole body goes rigid in my hold. I can feel the fear and embarrassment coursing through her at the realization of what took place.
"Everything is going to be okay," I try to reassure her, but I can tell she is starting to freak out. No sooner do the words leave my mouth than her mother comes walking through the doors. Fuck me.
This keeps getting worse. I need to get Lev out of here before she does what I fear most in this whole fucking world.
Run.
19
LEV
How did this go from one of the most perfect days to the worst? I glance around the lobby to where Eros's parents are, then over to Kate, who has a phone pressed to her ear, her face etched with worry. They have all been so good to me, and I brought this right to their front door.
My parents and the Caldwell brothers are speaking to the police. I had begged my mother to not call them, but after she demanded money for a payout to not press charges and Eros told her to get fucked, she called the police. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how the hell I am even related to these people. I thought stealing from their own daughter was the lowest, most hurtful thing they could do to me, but I was wrong. Them pulling this shit on Eros takes that to a whole other level.
“Honey, are you okay?” Polly asks again. Eros is sitting on the stairs with two police officers.
“Not really,” I admit. Is he going to go to jail? How is this going to affect his career? Eros is known as one of the most stand-up men in the city. He is one of the good ones. I’ve learned that over the past weeks. People always gush over him. Now I've gone and ruined that. Hurt the one man that has ever been good to me.
“I promise. It’s fine,” Polly tries to reassure me.
“Eros can handle this,” his dad adds.
They are, of course, being kind. Both of them are the sweetest people on the freaking planet. I'm sure they're tempted to yell at me. Polly told me that I'm the only girl her son has ever spoken about in a romantic manner. That had me swooning. Now I think that is playing against me.