Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Your family is quite intimidating.” Matthew chuckles as we reach the bar. “Though I have dealt with powerful people all my life, so I think I can handle them,” he says as I pull my hand away and look at him curiously. I’ve never even seen this guy around my brother before.
“Would you like another one?” he asks, pointing to my drink. I decline his offer, taking a small sip from the one I already have.
“How old are you?” I ask, casually leaning on the bar. Matthew looks around my age, but I’m unsure what his actual age is. Ford is a few years older than me. “Twenty-seven. And like yourself, the baby of the family. My mother is old-school Italian and is annoyed I haven’t found a nice Italian woman to settle down with yet.” I smile at that, remembering my grandfather talking like that back in Italy. He’s dead now, and I miss him, but he was very strict when it came to traditions. Hell, Eli had to be married before he was able to officially take over the entire mafia business. I’m lucky my brother and I were never under the same expectations.
“So, what brings you here tonight? I’ve never seen you around before,” I say.
His drink is handed to him, and he pulls out two bar stools, offering me the first one. I sit on it, careful not to let the slit in my dress show everything I’m wearing—or, more accurately, not wearing—underneath.
Women start cheering on stage, and I laugh as Ivy swings around the pole. An older woman, who I’m assuming is the birthday girl because she’s wearing a sash, is giving her pointers on her grip.
“Posie invited me, actually. I’ve been around, but am based in Los Angeles. I’ve known your brother for almost five years now, and I’ve done business with your family several times.
“When I met Posie, she asked if I was single.” I laugh. Wow, Posie’s really putting herself out there for me, and I’m kind of grateful for it. Had I known the way to get a leash on my brother was through a woman, I would’ve tried to find him one sooner. Then again, I don’t think just any woman would’ve done—it was always supposed to be Posie.
I glance over at them, admiring their love. Ford’s nowhere to be found, which stirs something unfamiliar within me. Disappointment maybe? I refocus on the man in front of me.
“Did my brother try to kill you because he thought she was hitting on you?” I joke.
He raises his eyebrows, and I know it might’ve not been too far from the truth. “Let’s just say she was quick to clarify that she was asking on behalf of his younger sister. His anger didn’t exactly recede even then. I felt like she’d dragged me into a field of landmines.” I laugh again. I can just imagine it. He smirks as he takes a sip. “To be honest, I didn’t even know he had a younger sister. He keeps that pretty quiet. But when she showed me a photo, I knew I wanted to come and meet you. You’re beautiful, and I thought it was worth the risk of getting my throat slit.” I smile at him.
This Matthew guy might not be all that bad.
But he’s not Ford.
I squash that thought immediately.
“So, tell me more about yourself,” I say, trying to push the man I shouldn’t be thinking about out of my mind and focusing on the one in front of me.
I find myself laughing with Matthew; my first impression of him is he seems funny and kind. And if he’s willing to challenge my brother in any way, it’s a bonus.
We probably haven’t even been talking for ten minutes before we’re interrupted.
“Billie.” I turn to find Ford standing there. He doesn’t acknowledge Matthew; his gaze is intently on me. “I have something to show you,” he says, then turns and walks away. I’m actually gobsmacked that the asshole has this kind of audacity. He tells me we’re nothing but sex, then pulls me away from a man who might be willing and able to offer me more.
Matthew seems confused but stands up.
“I’m sure whatever it is, it can wait,” I say defiantly.
Matthew smiles. “It’s okay. I think I’ve monopolized enough of your time. I don’t want to push your brother over the edge; he looks like he’s about to blow a fuse.” I follow the direction of his gaze, and sure enough, Dutton’s staring at him with the intensity of a lion stalking a gazelle.
“How deep is the friendship between you and Dutton?” I ask.
Matthew chuckles. “Not deep enough for him to let me have you for more than twenty minutes at a time, apparently. Yet.” The last word is full of an intent I don’t want to unpack right now. He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.