Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Or maybe it’s because I’ve never had to deal with anyone’s mother.
“He asked me,” I say simply, which is the truth, so technically I’m not lying.
“Yes, I gathered that much. But it’s unlike my son to keep secrets. Especially of this magnitude. Are you the reason he killed two men in the restaurant last night and finally got rid of the Bedore girl?”
I try not to show my surprise at her clear dislike for Michelle. Okay, maybe I could like Rya a little more as a badass bitch. But right now, as the mother of my… fiancé, she’s really busting my balls.
When I don’t speak, she considers me. “My son, although headstrong, is not usually so reckless. Or he’s better at hiding his misdeeds.”
“That’s a polite way to say his murders,” I joke.
A silence fills the air, but the corners of her lips twitch.
“Would you like to explain how you found this address, Mother?” Eli’s voice booms from the doorway.
Oh, fuck me. Is this family reunion day? I don’t know if I can handle Eli Monti in here as well. I should’ve shut the door behind her, but I didn’t think she’d be here for so long.
Rya picks at an imaginary piece of fluff on her suit jacket.
“You were acting strange this morning, so I looked into it, and it led to me discovering a recently purchased ring and this address you’ve now frequented more than once. Including last night. And it would appear Jewel hasn’t denied being your fiancée, which confirms my suspicions.” Damn, I walked straight into her confession without even realizing it. How am I feeling like the misplaced one in my own home right now? “Why didn’t you tell us you were dating someone, let alone how serious it is?”
This time, her gaze lands on her son, and I can see the hurt there. I say nothing as Eli walks over to me and slides his hand around my back. I want to throttle this asshole since he’s the one who put me in this uncomfortable situation in the first place.
“Jewel and I wanted to enjoy a few days together in peace before the chaos unfolded,” he lies.
She seems somewhat sympathetic to the issue. But not so much so that she didn’t take matters into her own hands. “I wanted to meet her.” Her gaze flicks to me and then back to Eli. “To make sure you aren’t making a mistake. You know what it means to make this public.”
I should be offended, but I’m not because I know it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the amount of pressure they must carry with the Monti name. I still don’t give a fuck.
“You think I have the capability to make a mistake?” he asks. I scoff at that, and both of them turn their attention to me. My eyes open wider when I realize my noise was audible.
“No, son. I know I raised you right. But not everyone has good intentions,” she says matter-of-factly. And I can attest that I am the definition of not having good intentions toward her son.
“Next week, we’ll set up a dinner. You can sit down and grill Jewel all you want. But for this week, Mother, we want it kept private. Just to enjoy each other before everyone else takes hold.” He leans in and kisses his mother’s cheek. When he pulls away, she nods her head agreeably.
“Pleasure, Jewel. I look forward to getting to know you. I’m sure you’re aware that our family is… a little different.”
“Oh, I can tell how different your son is,” I reply with a sweet smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. Nevertheless, it seems to humor her, and she takes her leave. The moment Eli closes the door behind her, he grabs my left hand.
“Why aren’t you wearing the ring? Please don’t tell me you hocked it with my watches.”
I pull back my hand. “I’ll have you know, I have better things to do than admire all the pretty things I steal from you. I don’t orbit around your existence.”
“Jewel,” he growls. “Where is the ring?” He storms past me and into my bedroom. I sigh, my shoulders sagging. Here, I thought I’d have a delightful evening with me and my vibrator. “On the floor? Really? And why are these flowers scattered all over the place? Are sunflowers not your favorite anymore?”
He’s making a fuss in my room as he basically starts cleaning it. I lean against the doorframe, smirking at the way he’s all flustered. If I keep acting like a slob, he might break the engagement off just for that alone.
He shakes his head, frustrated with the mess, and opens the box in front of me. It’s the first time I’m seeing the blue square-cut diamond that’s twice the size of my fingernail with a white gold band. Damn, that’s excessive.