Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“What happens when the engagement ends?” I asked him.
Sebastian took a drink of his whiskey. “The stalker will be caught then. Because it’s a political thing, we won’t be handling the man. He’ll be handed over to the authorities. Scotlin will break off the engagement because of the trauma and move to Paris for some emotional recovery. Jefferson will be the protective father who stands by her and demands justice. It’ll all turn out nicely for them in the public eye. If her abortion ever becomes public knowledge, the hopes are it will be overshadowed by this. Once he’s in office and the stalker is set free, he will … disappear.”
I took a drink of my water, then asked, “Disappear?”
He nodded once.
“Meaning?”
Sebastian looked down at me. “Meaning we’ll handle him then.”
Oh. Ohhh. “I see.”
I scanned the crowd and the people arriving, using all my restraint not to look at King. It wasn’t an easy task. I was so very tempted.
“Do you think the man is here?” I asked Sebastian.
He started to speak when a smile was suddenly on his face, and his attention was focused on an older gentleman with a black cowboy hat covering most of his white hair. His short, trimmed beard was equally white. He was shorter than Sebastian by several inches, but the way he stood gave an air of authority.
“You’re looking more like your father every day,” the man said, shaking Sebastian’s hand. “More so than that brother of yours.”
Sebastian chuckled. “I’m sure Thatcher would take that as a compliment,” he replied, then turned to me. “Rumor, this is Dawson Woodrow. Dawson, this is Rumor Beauregard. She’s a close friend of the family.”
The older gentleman gave me a nod and tipped his hat at me. “Nice to meet you, Miss Beauregard. I’ve been buying winning racehorses from the Shephards for nigh on thirty years.”
“They do have the best, but please, call me Rumor.”
He gave me an appreciative look, then cut his eyes to Sebastian. “I’d hang on to this one.”
Sebastian laughed, but I could see him glance over in King’s direction. When he responded, he turned the subject around to the Derby, and I only half listened as they discussed the horses that had raced. My eyes scanned the room, finding those I recognized, which were all family members. Ronan Salazar and Jupiter were to the far right of the room, speaking with guests. I could see Ronan casually glancing over in King’s direction, as if he was watching him. Making sure he didn’t leave his post.
As close as I was to Maeme, I barely knew Ronan or Jupiter. I adored their daughter, Birdie, but I wondered if the baby would bring them around more. Would I ever really feel like they were my family? They would be my child’s grandparents. King never spoke of his mother, and I wondered if she would want to know the baby. We hadn’t ever discussed it, but I wanted my baby to have all the family she could. Something I never had. To grow up loved and adored. The more family, the better.
• Thirty-Two •
He broke my fucking nose!
King
I wasn’t going to last much longer. Every fucking cocksucker who looked at her with even a mere glance, I wanted to rip out their heart. Sebastian was obeying. He hadn’t come close to touching her again. This was a level of hell I hadn’t known existed, and although I knew I belonged in hell, I wasn’t dead yet.
“You need to stop watching her like she’s your next meal,” Scotlin hissed between her teeth as she smiled.
“She is my next meal,” I replied. “As soon as this bullshit is over.”
“Ugh, King. TMI,” she said, sounding disgusted.
What-the-fuck-ever. She had no idea how sweet Rumor’s pussy was.
“You look like you’re about to face a lifetime sentence. At least try and smile.”
“This is the best I can do,” I replied.
“Look, I’m as ready for this to be over as you are. I thought it would be more fun, but I hadn’t been aware you’d become … this.”
Rumor laughed at something Luella, Roland’s wife, said, and my chest tightened. I wanted to be close enough to hear that sound. I’d upset her when she got here, and it had taken a while for her to relax again. It wasn’t like I could help it. She’d arrived, touching Sebastian and looking like an angel.
My angel.
“All the guests have arrived,” Jefferson informed us. “Scotlin, go with your mother to mingle with the guests. King, I need a word with you.”
I didn’t want to leave the room. That meant I couldn’t see Rumor.
I tore my eyes off her to look at him. “Now?”
He nodded.
“Can it not wait until this is over? I should be here if anything out of place happens.” Meaning so I could protect Rumor and get her the fuck out.