Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
He chuckled. “How was your first nightclub?” he asked.
“Time-consuming.”
He cupped her waist and laughed.
She liked to see him smile. “How was business?”
“Eventful, but you don’t have to worry about that.”
“I don’t?”
“No.”
“You were very rude to Peter,” she said.
“He’s used to it. He knows what I require of him.”
“Are all of your men loyal to you?” Willow asked.
“Yes, and women.”
“You have women working for you?”
He kissed her lips. “Come on, let’s go for a walk.”
“Er, I think the park is closed.”
“Not to me.”
He stepped inside the park and Willow’s heart raced. “This is illegal, I’m sure of it.”
“Come on, Willow, are you telling me you’ve never done anything naughty before?”
“No, never. I don’t do this kind of thing. You’re a bad influence on me,” she said. Her hands shook a little and she tried to hide it, but it was impossible to do so. They were in the park, and they were not supposed to be. There was no one else around. Nibbling her lip, she tried to think of a reason to escape.
Carson grabbed her hands and pressed her up against the nearest tree. “Relax.”
“You do realize that security is here, don’t you?”
He chuckled. “And you’re scared of being told off?”
“I don’t want to get arrested.” Her heart pounded.
“Willow, trust me.”
She took a deep breath.
He kissed her. “Relax.”
“No, I can’t relax.”
Carson sighed.
“I’m sorry. I told you I was boring.”
“You’re not boring, and you know what, I don’t mind. We’ll leave.”
He grabbed her hand and as he did, there was a sudden light shining close to where they stood.
“Hey!”
Willow gasped. Holy crap, they were going to get caught. Carson didn’t have to tell her to run, she had already tugged on his hand and was running in the opposite direction from the way they came. Carson kept up with her and she didn’t even take a chance to look toward him or to look back. All she wanted to do was get free of the park. She heard the security officer chasing them.
Carson pulled her toward the main gate, and seeing his car parked with Peter waiting for them was a relief. He nudged her into the car and they were already pulling away from the park before the man was able to catch up with them. She looked behind and they were already too far gone for the man to see them.
Collapsing against Carson, she did something she never thought she would do when faced with being caught by the law. She burst out laughing. That hadn’t been fun, but for some odd reason, she couldn’t help but laugh.
****
The park had indeed been closed last night. Carson knew the security guard and had arranged it. Lauren had given him the suggestion to take Willow on an adventure. She felt her granddaughter had been too afraid of living.
They were never in any real danger with the law or with anyone last night. He’d never put Willow in that position. She would always be safe. But he’d seen the fire in her eyes. The energy. She’d been alive last night and he knew it was an experience he wanted to give her, time and time again.
“We’re here, sir,” Peter said.
He glanced at the security footage of Willow in her shop one last time, and then terminated the connection. He placed the phone inside his suit pocket, securing it in with a zip. Peter had climbed out of the car and opened his door for him.
Carson took a deep breath of the fresh air. He always relished the freedom of breathing. Inhaling. Exhaling. Finally, without another word to his loyal driver, he walked inside the warehouse where a man was hanging upside down. Piss covered his clothing and the floor. The guy had pissed himself. This was something Carson was used to.
Men liked to betray him, or hurt his business. Like this man, who frequented the brothels he owned. Only two nights ago, one of the women he’d paid to service him had ended up in the hospital.
Now, Carson didn’t set out on his path to own women. He didn’t want to be a pimp. Yes, he was aware brothels made a great deal of money. There were a lot of men who would pay their entire fortune for the right woman. Not that he could judge, he’d do anything for Willow. Prostitution wasn’t something he’d been interested in. However, many, many years ago, several women had approached him and begged him to set up a suitable employment so they could be safe while conducing their business. They had offered him a percentage of the profits they would earn, and in return, he would provide the accommodation and security. At first, he’d declined but then they’d told him what was happening on his street corners. The pimps, the torture, the force.
Once he realized what was happening, he had no choice but to do something about it. He found the house, put his name to it, and since then it had been a very profitable alliance.