Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“Just because I didn’t bring a gun doesn’t mean I can’t kill him with my bare fists.”
I did my best not to roll my eyes at his ridiculous display of machismo. “If either of you does anything, I’ll kick both of your asses.”
He chuckled at the thought. “Sure, Lovely.”
“Hey, I have an awesome right hook.”
“You’ll have to show me sometime. I’d love to see it.”
“I need a punching bag too. Are you volunteering?”
The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. “I miss that…”
“Miss what?” I asked, not following his logic.
“That fiery attitude. You used to talk shit to me all the time when we first met. Now you’re just sweet and affectionate.”
“Are you saying you want me to be mean and sarcastic?”
“No,” he said with a chuckle. “Well, maybe when we’re fucking.”
“Duly noted.”
Dunbar pulled up to the curb and opened the back door so we could exit the car. Crewe took my hand and walked me inside, approaching the hostess desk in the dimly lit room. Tables were packed, but the noise level was low, everyone speaking quietly. A low-burning candle sat on each table.
Joseph already had a table against the back wall, and instead of waving us over, he just stared at us as he drank his beer.
“My brother is in the back.”
Crewe looked up and spotted him before he pulled me with him. As we approached one another, my pulse pounded in my ears. The last thing I wanted was for these two men to murder each other over dinner.
“Hey.” I wrapped my arms around my brother and hugged him.
“Hey.” He hugged me back.
Crewe took a seat, not bothering to shake Joseph’s hand.
Joseph probably wouldn’t have shaken his anyway.
I sat beside Crewe, and Joseph was careful to choose the seat directly across from me.
Super awkward.
Joseph took another drink of his beer, finishing the rest and leaving a foam moustache on his mouth.
Crewe scanned the restaurant discreetly, probably making sure Joseph didn’t have backup lurking around.
There was so much distrust and hatred I could feel it pressing into my skin. “Let’s see what the menu looks like…” I picked up the black menu and read through the selections. “The rib eye looks pretty good. What are you having, Crewe?”
“Scotch,” he replied.
I didn’t dare give him any attitude right now. “Joseph?”
“Beer,” he said. “And the lobster.”
I eyed the two men, wondering if this was a terrible idea after all. “Thanks for coming out…both of you.”
“Didn’t give me much of a choice,” Joseph said.
“Me neither,” Crewe said in agreement.
“Come on, guys,” I said. “We’re here. Let’s just make this work.”
“Honestly, what were you expecting?” Joseph asked. “For Crewe and me to apologize to each other then go golfing?”
“That asshole shot me,” Crewe said. “Let’s not forget.”
I held up my hand. “There will be no insults tonight. When we go our separate ways tonight, the two of you can’t be enemies. I want there to be peace. Not friendship, loyalty, or respect. Just peace.” I wasn’t asking for much, just for the two men to be civil to one another.
Neither one of them disagreed with that.
I tried to strike up a conversation that both of them could participate in. “So, Crewe’s second distillery is doing well. He opened it a few months ago, and the orders are pouring in. Do you like scotch, Joseph?”
He pressed his lips tightly together like he didn’t want to respond. “I do, actually. His is pretty damn good.”
I looked to Crewe, silently commanding him to accept the compliment.
Crewe looked annoyed, but he cooperated. “Thank you.”
It was a rough start, but at least it was a start. “Crewe is helping me get my license so I can start driving.”
“Why don’t you just have his men drive you around?” Joseph asked.
“I wish she would,” Crewe whispered.
“Because I want my own independence,” I answered.
Joseph didn’t hide his thoughts on the matter. “Independence is so overrated. You have a team of men who will cater to your every need. Anyone would do anything to have that. Just enjoy it.”
“I wish she felt that way,” Crewe said. “But she wants to pay for her own things too…”
“This guy is loaded.” He pointed to Crewe. “And he kept you as a prisoner for six months. Let him buy you whatever you want.”
“I don’t need him to buy me anything,” I said harshly. “Crewe is my boyfriend, not my sugar daddy.”
“I don’t mind being your sugar daddy,” Crewe said.
“Well, I do,” I argued. I waved the waiter over so we could get off the subject. I ordered a glass of wine and my entrée, and the two men ordered afterward. When he was gone, we were back to our bubble of awkwardness.
Crewe didn’t strike up a conversation, and neither did Joseph.
I shouldn’t have expected them to do anything.
“Where have you traveled recently?” I asked Joseph.