Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
"Go on." Garion pressed his lips to her forehead. "I'll be here if you need me, baby."
Daisy Rae could see that the billionaire was worried about her, but she also understood that this was his way of showing her how much he trusted her.
"Thank you," Daisy Rae whispered as she pulled away.
Garion only looked at her, but the fierce emotion in his eyes spoke volumes.
He loved her, Daisy Rae realized in shock.
Garion saw her golden eyes brighten with tears. I can't believe you beat me to saying I love you, those eyes told him.
His lips curved ever so slightly in response. I'll say it as often as you want. But for now...
He nodded in the direction of her uncle's room. Go.
Daisy Rae nodded back. I'll try not to keep you waiting.
Hilda's gaze moved back and forth between the billionaire and her cousin. Were these two fucking talking with their eyes? How the hell were they doing that? Was there some kind of course for this? Was this how her stupid fat cousin managed to snag someone like Garion Ross?
Daisy Rae could feel her cousin's gaze shooting daggers at her back, but she paid this no heed as she entered her uncle's room. He was lying in bed, his face bruised all over, and his left arm was in a cast.
I'm so sorry, Uncle." She rushed forward and took a seat next to his bed. "Are you alright?"
"I've been better," the older man said hoarsely.
"What happened?"
Nolan's expression turned bleak. "This is all my fault, Daisy Rae, but I need your help..."
Daisy Rae grew increasingly numb as she listened to her uncle.
"And that's it," Nolan finished just as a bout of cough shook his body. "They saw you with him, and now the loan sharks no longer want to wait."
"I'm so sorry, Uncle."
Nolan nearly scowled. Was that all she had to say?
"What did the police—-"
"The police can't do anything," Nolan burst out. "Can't you see that? They'll get to me again sooner or later, and who knows if they'll leave me alive next time? I need to pay them back, and you're the only one who can help me!"
"I only have a few hundred dollars in my bank account, but it's yours—-"
Nolan's unbandaged hand slammed down on the bedside table. "Wake up, Daisy Rae! You can't pay my loan, but he can."
Daisy Rae sucked her breath in at her uncle's outburst.
"He's fucking loaded," Nolan howled, "and it's my life on the line. My fucking life, Daisy Rae! Don't you get that?"
"I do understand, but—-"
"Don't you think you owe this to me and Helena after all the years we've taken care of you? The man you're fucking is a goddamn billionaire—-"
The door suddenly opened, and Daisy Rae paled when she saw Garion stride in, followed shortly by her cousin.
Garion's furious gaze swept over Daisy Rae. "Are you okay?"
Hilda scowled. "Why wouldn't she be?"
Daisy Rae forced a smile. "Everything's fine—-"
"You were being yelled at."
Nolan cleared his throat. "I'm sorry you had to hear that. I was just being emotional." He looked at his niece. "Tell him, Daisy Rae. Please."
Hilda, who was also in on the plan, looked at her cousin reproachfully. "I can't believe it. Does this mean you're refusing to help Daddy?"
Daisy Rae bit her lip hard. "It's not like that—-" Garion suddenly took hold of her hand, and her voice trailed off. She looked up at him in confusion, but the billionaire was staring hard at her uncle.
"How much do you need?"
Daisy Rae gasped.
Nolan's pulse leapt in excitement at the unexpected offer. "I owe them close to a million dollars—-"
Daisy Rae was dismayed to hear this. Didn't he tell her earlier that he only owed the loan sharks a hundred grand?
"Alright." Garion knew he was allowing himself to be conned out of his money, but it was better than having to listen to the bastard yell at his future wife for another second.
He took one of his company's business cards out of his wallet and placed it on the bedside table. "You can text your account details to this number. The amount will be wired to you within—-"
"No." Daisy Rae's tone was low and shaken.
Hilda let out a gasp. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"It means exactly what it means," Daisy Rae said painfully. "I know you've always seen me as this clueless pushover, but I was never that. I only chose to overlook certain things because I consider myself indebted to your family—-"
"And you don't now?" Hilda shot back.
Nolan started to panic as he felt his chance to earn an easy mil start to slip away. He turned to his niece with an expression of hurt. "Why are you being like this?"
"Isn't it obvious, Daddy?" her cousin sneered. "She thinks she's above us now, just because Garion—-"
"Garion is the man I love," Daisy said quietly, "and that's why I can't in good conscience allow either of you to take advantage of him."