Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I suppose it’s a possibility. Not all people in the world are rational. If he felt I slighted him by resisting his request and if I messed up his plans, then maybe it’d be enough for him to turn nasty. But why would Evan step away from me to have that conversation?
Is Robert’s crazy wolf explanation real? Is that what Evan was trying to hide from me?
“So, I should call the sheriff?”
“Yeah. Not that he’ll do much. He’s more concerned about his stomach and an easy life to do much about crime, especially if it’s not obvious who the perp is.”
“But if he doesn’t find the person who did this, how can I go back?”
Evan tells me with just one look. “You’re staying with us.”
“But I need to earn money. I need to pay my bills.”
“None of that's an issue.”
“You’re not paying for me. I barely know you.”
Evan puts his hand on my arm. “I know you just fine.”
“This feels like you’re paying me for sex,” I say with a shake of my head.
“Goldie, why the hell would you say that? This has nothing to do with what we did. We have generations of wealth at our disposal. A few utility bills won’t make a ripple. I don’t want you to think like that again.”
I gather the blanket around myself as my mind whirs over what to do next. I’m here to collect enough of my things so I can survive at the Bjorn house for an indeterminable timeframe. Things are getting messy and complicated, and I don’t have the time or headspace to really figure out if what I’m doing is right.
“We should go,” Evan says. “My brothers are on their way back to the house. We should be there when they arrive.”
I’m pushed along by his insistence and stand to grab some yoga pants and a sweatshirt to put on. I won’t need my overalls. Not for a while.
Evan dresses quickly, then takes hold of the handle of my case and waits while I throw the last things I’m going to need into my purse.
“Ready?” he says.
The truth is I’m not sure.
Back at the house, we're just inside the front door when the sound of the truck rumbles outside. Hunter and Robert crunch over the ground and let themselves into the house. I feel the air change when the triplets are all in one place, as though uniting them causes a difference to them physically and a difference to the surrounding environment. When Hunter enters the kitchen and sees me, he inhales deeply. I see his eyes flick to Evan immediately.
“You claimed her?”
Evan shifts on his feet, taking a step back and leaning against the counter. Robert’s eyes move between his brothers. He’s wary of what could happen next and the hair on my forearm’s bristles.
“No.”
“You fucked her?” Hunter asks. “I smell it on both of you.”
I place my hands on the table in front of me. “I’m definitely not comfortable with this conversation,” I say. “Who fucked me and when is none of your damned business.”
Hunter’s face flushes and his fists ball. He’s raging over what? Because he’s the last to get his dick inside me? He’s never getting anywhere near my pussy with his terrible attitude.
“We’re not starting this again,” Robert says. “Hunter, you need to back off right now.”
“Back off what’s mine? While you and Evan get to fulfill your destiny? That isn’t how this is going to be.”
“It is if you keep on walking down this path. Can’t you see the impression you're making on Goldie by talking this way?”
Hunter focuses on me, his eyes like raging volcanoes of fury and passion. “Goldie can think what she likes. She’s our mate, and there’s nothing she can do about it.”
“Really,” I say, standing and pushing the chair behind me with my legs. “What are you going to do, Hunter? Throw me over your shoulder and carry me upstairs so that you can force me?”
Hunter scoffs like I’ve said the most foolish thing he’s ever heard. “Force. How can you force your mate? You’re mine. I can’t force what’s mine.”
“If I don’t want you to, then you would need force. What else would it be?”
Robert takes a step closer to his brother, and I brace myself for what might happen. Hunter punching the table or wall. Hunter raging enough to grab hold of me. What would his brothers do if that happened? Step in to protect me? “Would it be force to give you what you’re destined for?”
“Hunter,” Evan says in a warning tone.
“I’m not destined for you to fuck,” I spit.
“No, you’re destined to carry my babies,” Hunter says, banging his fist on the table as predicted.
Evan and Robert seem to cringe. Robert shakes his head. Is this what they didn’t want Hunter to tell me?