Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
She blinks up at me, her lips swollen, and her eyes are glassy and dazed. I’m not sure how it’s possible for her to look even sexier, but somehow she does. Maybe it’s because I know it’s my mouth that made her look the way she does at this moment.
"You two done?" Her father tries again.
"No," I say, but I take half a step back and turn to face Frank, keeping my one arm around her waist.
Is this where one is supposed to be shy and not do these kinds of acts in front of a parent? Maybe I should care, but I don’t. I already know I won’t be able to stop myself from touching her, so everyone needs to get used to it. The sooner the better.
"I—" she sputters.
"Never seen her at a loss for words," Frank quips. "You couldn't tell me Ronan was your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Ellie lets out a small gasp of surprise.
"Haven’t been a boy for a long time."
“I need to use the bathroom.” Ellie goes to step away from me, but I don’t let my hold loosen.
“Don’t be too long. I’ve missed you,” I tell her. She blinks up at me, those green eyes of hers still wide with bewilderment. It’s cute seeing her this way.
Ellie simply nods her head. I let her go, watching her scurry away, my eyes dropping to her ass, the black pants she’s wearing look like a second skin. She has on a baggy hoodie, but I know what’s under it. I felt all her sweet curves when they were pressed against me.
“Not sure she’s happy to see you.” Frank folds his arms across his chest. He’s a big guy for his age, having kept himself in shape after he left the Marines.
He’d only been partly skeptical when I pulled up. I was ready for him. I was aware that he would cock a shotgun and aim it directly at my head. When I said my name and then used Ellie’s, he lowered his gun. There had been recognition in his eyes that matched his daughter's. That means she had to have said something.
Frank let me in and offered me a cup of coffee. I took it while we were waiting for Ellie to return home. I wasn't too thrilled when I found out how often she was sneaking out. She really is scared, not wanting to take any chances of someone tracking her back here. I bet she is freaking out right now that I managed to do it.
“She sees me all the time. But I’m sure she is surprised.” Oh, my little fox is going to be shocked then pissed that I've known this whole time.
“I reckon you’re not the reason she’s running scared.”
“No.” I shake my head, my eyes going back down the hallway where she disappeared. The urge to follow after her is strong, but I manage to keep myself in check—for now.
“But you’re here because of that?”
“That and other reasons.”
“Don’t make me kill you.”
“If something happens to her, I’m already dead.” Frank smirks, and I know I got a point in.
“Good, now let’s eat.” He nods back toward the table. As much as I want to go after Ellie, I know she needs a second. Plus, being in good with her father will play in my favor. We also have the same goals in mind. We both want Ellie safe. "There is work to be done around here."
"All right," I agree, taking my seat once again.
"Why don't you tell me more about yourself beyond being Tova's brother?"
“Brother-in-law. She married my brother a few months back,” I correct. I’m sure he’s not going to love the idea of my family being close to Ellie. I’m not really one for casual conversations and small talk, but I’m going to have to learn quickly.
“I work for my family's business doing what needs to be done and keeping them safe. The same as I plan on doing for Ellie.” I don’t elaborate on what the family business is. Frank seems like a smart man; I’m sure he can read between the lines.
“Normally I’d let that slide. You don’t ask me about my shit, and I don’t dig into yours. That’s the way I tend to like it, but Ellie is my business.”
Right, I should have seen that coming, and I don’t blame him. Besides, it’s not as though I hadn’t already dug into him. That had been no easy feat.
I give him the light version of the warehouses and owning different businesses in the city, making it all sound on the up and up.
“You’re a Marino.” Frank gives a slight shake of his head. We aren’t too far out from the city, so it’s not surprising he put that together. He might not live there now, but I’m sure at one time he did, and the Marino name isn’t a new one. Far from it. It goes back a lot of years.