Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Rolling my eyes, I dished up the pasta for everyone, smiling as they dug right in. Zane had just finished up and was taking care of something in the back when his client walked in. Molly and Dahlia greeted him, but the guy’s gaze zeroed in on me.
“Hey.” He flashed me a smile. “You must be new. I’m Dirk. One of Whiskey’s very best clients, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me.”
“Um, hi. Sorry, but I don’t work here,” I mumbled.
“Are you getting a tattoo from Molly?” he asked. “I can help you pick out where to put it since I have a ton of ’em.”
“Unless you want me to cut off all the art I’ve put on your skin, you’d better get the fuck away from my woman,” Zane growled as he prowled into the waiting area.
Dirk’s eyes widened, and he jumped back a few steps, raising his hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. “Sorry, man. I had no idea she was yours.”
“Maybe you shoulda used your brain instead of thinking with your dick.” Zane glared at him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “You ever see a woman in a place owned by the Iron Rogues, assume she belongs to one of us.”
“Sorry. Like I said, I didn’t know.” He shook his head with a sigh. “If I had, I never would’ve hit on her.”
Glancing at Molly and Dahlia, I couldn’t help but think that we wouldn't have been in this situation if Zane had given me a vest like they wore. A property patch proclaiming me as Whiskey’s would have made it pretty darn clear to any man who saw me that an Iron Rogue had claimed me. Hopefully, I would wear it someday soon.
9
WHISKEY
“I’m nervous,” Ellery whispered.
Her hand was clasped in mine, resting on my thigh, so I gave it a gentle squeeze. “Don’t be. They’re gonna love you, baby.”
I was taking my girls home to see my parents. They’d already spent a little time with Corinne, but not much because of everything going on, between trying to get settled and figuring out our routine.
Telling them about Laura had been hard and despite all she’d done, they were still understandably devastated to hear that their daughter was dead. But Corinne had helped to heal them. Even if she hadn’t been their biological granddaughter, no one could meet my baby girl and not fall in love with her.
When I told my mom about Ellery, she’d begged me to bring her to meet them. It had taken a little time and a whole lot of orgasms to convince my girl, but she’d finally agreed.
I stopped at a red light and glanced over at her just as the baby let out a little cry. Ellery’s lips formed a sexy little pout, making me want to bite them. “See? Even Corinne thinks this is a bad idea.”
A laugh rumbled in my chest, and I shook my head. “Relax, baby. I’m pretty sure that smell coming from the back is why Corinne is fussing.”
Ellery sighed. “Probably.”
Luckily, we didn’t have to endure the odor for long because I pulled into my parents’ driveway a couple of minutes later.
My mom came barging out of the house and went straight to the back of the car, wrenching the door open. “Hello, my sweet little grandbaby! How are you, cutie? Did you miss Grandma?” She chattered on as she unbuckled the baby and lifted her out of the car seat, then cradled her against her chest.
I opened the car door and climbed out, rolling my eyes when my mom didn’t even acknowledge me as I slammed it shut behind me. I muttered as I rounded the hood of the car and opened Ellery’s door, then helped her out of her seat.
My mom finally looked up from the baby. “My goodness,” she exclaimed. “Look at how gorgeous you are!”
Ellery’s cheeks heated, but she smiled shyly back at my mom. “Um, thank you.”
“Hey, Mom,” I grumbled. “Nice to see you, too.”
“Oh pish, Zane,” she muttered, looking back down at the baby. “You know I’m always happy to see my boy. Now, introduce me to your girl.”
“Mom, this is my Ellery. Baby, this is my mom, Diana. Don’t believe any stories she tells you about me. She lies.”
Mom gasped and tossed me an indignant glare.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thomas,” Ellery said sweetly, even as she elbowed me in the ribs and whispered, “Be nice.”
My mom grinned widely. “Well, aren’t you all sugar and spice? I have a feeling we’re going to get along wonderfully!” She held Corinne with one arm and slipped the other through Ellery’s before leading her toward the house. “Come, come. Dinner is almost ready!”
My dad, who looked like an older version of me, stood at the door, grinning widely. His body was slightly hunched, and he walked a little stiffly when he moved back to let us enter, but his whiskey-colored eyes twinkled. Despite being in constant pain, my dad was one of the most upbeat and optimistic people I knew.