Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“When he burned down the frat house, I knew that was it. Not only as his friend, but also as the future boss of this family, I had to save him from himself. I wanted Gage not only because he was one of the most lethal weapons we had, but he was also one of the best friends I had. Losing him because of his obsession with you wasn’t something I could let happen.
“You were a wreck when you found out he’d been arrested. I waited for you in the parking lot of the jail where they were holding him, knowing you’d show up. When you did, I stopped you and led you to my car. Your eyes were swollen and red from crying. I told you I needed to speak with you about a way to help save Gage. That was all you needed to hear to leave with me.
“It was then I threatened to leave Gage behind bars, disengage him from the family, and turn my back on him if you didn’t leave town. I explained that you had become a weakness for him and I couldn’t allow that. If he chose you, then I was done with him. There would be no more saving him or stepping in. The years he’d spent proving his loyalty to the family would mean nothing. The only way for my father to step in and get him out of the mess he was in would be for you to leave, tell him it was over, that you didn’t love him, and not return. No contact with him. Nothing.”
Blaise paused, then sighed. “You wrote the letter to him while you sobbed.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You weren’t a selfish bitch. You gave up the man you loved to save him. To protect him. The person who woke up in that hospital didn’t have a change of personality. You were the same Shiloh; you were just grown up. The teenage girl who hadn’t understood Gage or life in general was gone. She had existed before the accident. But without the memories to haunt you, to keep you living a life you didn’t want, you had the courage to walk away from the things you didn’t want.”
I sat there, unable to speak. Form words. I just stared at him. My emotions were all over the place. What should I even feel right now?
“I kept tabs on you because you were important to Gage. Even if he thought he hated you. When I heard about your accident, I had you trailed. The moment I was told about the changes you were making—breaking off the engagement, no longer a part of the circle of friends you’d had—I knew it was time I gave you a chance. I contacted Carmichael and set your return in motion. It took six months of watching you, making sure you were mature enough to handle Gage, and, of course, figuring out the best way to put you in front of Gage again. When he chose to act like a fucking idiot and take on a group of men alone with no gun, he made that easy for me. He needed a nurse. You worked for our doctor.
“As for Wilder, he was never supposed to form an attachment to you. He stepped out of bounds when he stood up to Gage, trying to keep him from you. Gage could have killed him. I’d warned Wilder of that before, but he wanted you more, it would seem. He failed at his task in the end. He’s been moved to continue his training back in Georgia, where his father is located.”
I finally managed to find my voice. “Wilder?” I asked, thinking I might possibly be hallucinating from the trauma to my head.
“As for your apartment, the lease has now been terminated. Your things are being packed up and moved here today. Carmichael knows your job there has come to an end. He is aware it’s not safe for you, and having you there will only cause your uncle undue stress. However, if you would like a job, Gage will help you find one that makes you happy within the safety of our properties.”
I shook my head. Processing all this was too much at once. “My apartment lease isn’t up for another seven months.”
Blaise smirked. “That’s no longer the case.”
I knew he was waiting for me to say more, but I was almost afraid to ask. Could I take any more truths right now?
“Uncle Neil knew all of this?” That part was one of the most shocking details to me.
Blaise raised his eyebrows. “Do you really think your uncle, knowing Gage, would choose you to be his nurse? Doreen was the nurse Carmichael had lined up for Gage. When I called him to inform him I wanted you tending to Gage, it was the first time Carmichael had ever told me no. It took me promising him that I would make sure you were safe several times and that you wouldn’t be there long before he agreed. And even then, he was not happy with me.” Blaise was grinning, as if that was amusing to him.