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)
He doesn’t disagree with her.
My jaw tics in irritation. I’m often frustrated when this group gets together. I down a mouthful of whiskey as we wait in the living area of my parents’ mansion. I’d offered to host it at my place, but my mother was hell-bent on having it here. Now I know why—because she decided to invite fucking everyone.
“To answer your question,” Dutton says to his sister, “she’s definitely on the spectrum of crazy.”
“Watch your mouth when you’re talking about my fiancée,” I growl. Everyone falls silent, and Dutton raises an eyebrow.
“I thought she was just a means to an end, that you’re using her to get everything you want. Isn’t that what you told me?” he says quietly so only those of us in the room can hear.
I ignore him. Dutton has already taken over his father’s business completely. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have his future hinging on something as stupid as a marriage requirement. Ever since I was eighteen, I’ve had to fight for my role and for every new responsibility. I did tell him that Jewel serves a purpose, but I won’t let him speak ill of her.
I haven’t spoken to my father since the engagement, and when he walks in with my uncle Dawson after finishing work, I stand to pour them both a glass of whiskey.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Father says. He pulls me in for a one-armed hug and pats my back. “Proud of you, son. The best thing I ever did was force your mother to marry me.” He chuckles. I hand him and Dutton each a glass.
“It was my choice to marry you; I want that made very clear,” my mother says as she enters the room with Aunt Honey. He goes to her, immediately pulling her in for a kiss. He is, in every sense of the word, obsessed with my mother. Although I grew up watching them unable to keep their hands off each other, I can’t imagine myself having the same experience in my own marriage. I just remind myself that Jewel serves a business purpose only. But the fucking is most definitely a perk.
Dawson gravitates to Honey, and she raises on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.
“So where is she?” my father asks, looking around the room.
I’m not entirely thrilled that she’s late to what’s supposed to be her introduction to my parents. She had a shift tonight, and although we didn’t part on the best of terms last night, I had her swear she’d be here. Then again, when has that woman done anything I’ve told her to do?
“She was probably scared off after her future mother-in-law surprised her at her own home,” Hawke says. Everyone’s eyes grow wide, and realization dawns on him. “Oh shit, that wasn’t common knowledge?”
“Rya! You didn’t, did you?” Honey yells at her sister. “Oh my gosh, the poor girl.”
My mother waves it off, saying, “What? I just had to confirm my suspicions, and I wanted to see what type of woman she is.”
I look at my phone. Still no update from her.
Where the fuck is she?
“I’m starving,” Hawke complains.
“We’ll wait for her. The table is already set, so you can be patient,” Mother tells him.
“Besides, you’re always hungry.” Billie checks her pockets and fishes out a lollipop.
“You’re a fucking angel.” Hawke grins as he steals the sucker from her hand.
Dutton looks up from the book he’s reading and pins Hawke with a glare. Then sends one Ford’s way when she hands him one. Ford isn’t as big of an eater as his gym junkie brother, but I’ve never seen him turn down a sweet.
“No, we can start dinner now. Her shift must be going over. I’ll try to call her one more time,” I say.
“Oh, a shift worker?” I hear Honey ask curiously. No one knows she’s technically a hitwoman, and I have every intent to keep it that way.
I call, but there’s no answer. This time, though, she does text back. I grin at the updated contact name I gave her since Stalker didn’t seem to fit anymore.
Wifey: I’m running late. Eat without me.
I frown at the short text and lack of apology. But it’s likely she’s had to stay at work later than she expected. I don’t even know why she keeps that job. I understand having a cover, but as my wife, she won’t have to hide behind something so trivial. If she were my real wife, that is.
When I enter the dining room, I see it’s beautifully set up. My mother stands behind my father at the head of the table with a smile, proud of the outcome. She then looks up at me expectantly.
“She’ll be a bit longer yet. But she said to start without her.”
I sit beside my mother, leaving the other side free for when Jewel arrives. A private chef brings out entrées, setting a plate in front of each of us. My mother uses this time to ask Dutton about Jewel, and he tells her she will most likely challenge me in every way and that she’s flawlessly stubborn. I don’t think that’s what my mother wants to hear.