Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
“How about we host them here? Or out in the studio. That’s your private space, so here would be better, but I’m sure we could arrange something.”
Harlow rubbed at her temples. “I’d like that, Wilder. Thank you.” She sighed, looking up at him. “Salvadore twice said he wished he’d known the trouble I was in. He claimed he would have done something to help, that he’d always wanted a sibling.”
“I’m certain he was very sincere, that he meant it, but he grew up in the cartel and has had to abide by their rules. Even if he knew your situation and he could have gotten to you, what life could he have given you? He couldn’t save his mother from her fate.”
It was true. There had been a wealth of regret in her brother’s voice. He hadn’t chosen his life. It was the only way he could survive. The only way Guadalupe could survive and keep her son. Fate—or the senator—had condemned them to a life of violence.
Harlow studied Wilder’s beloved face, inch by inch. He didn’t flinch away from her scrutiny. He had been condemned to that same life of violence. Was he a bad man? She didn’t believe he was. He had a strict code of honor, and he kept to it. He believed in it so much he’d made a bargain with Rainier, the only man he believed might best him in a hunt. That bargain had been to kill him if he ever imploded. What man did that? What man believed in honor to the point that he would ensure his own demise if he ever crossed a line?
“I love the way you look at me, Harlow,” Wilder murmured. “I’ve never had anyone ever look at me the way you do.”
“I love you,” Harlow murmured, meaning it. Deep down. Knowing it was the truth. He was it for her. “You’ll always be the one.”
“Marry me. My last name started out stained with blood, but I’ve spent a lifetime doing my best to remove that and replace it with honor. Marry me, mon rêve. Make me the happiest, proudest man in the world.”
She hadn’t expected a proposal. She’d never even dreamt of a proposal, but then, in her wildest fantasies, she had never imagined she would end up with Hawkin Wilder. On some level, she was aware his proposal in that moment was not just to secure their future, but to give her an anchor to hold on to when once again her life was slipping out of control. Her parents…She would never have a chance to reconcile anything with them.
“Yes. Yes, a thousand times.” She didn’t take time to think about it because she always overthought everything. This man stood with her in the worst moments. Sometimes in front of her. But always with her.
His smile lit up her world. He was beautiful to her. She knew he would forever steal her breath, just with the sight of him. With that smile. He made her laugh. Made her feel safe when all around her the world was imploding. This should have been one of the worst moments of her life, but he’d turned it into something beautiful.
Years earlier, she’d lost all hope of the senator and her mother changing their way of life. She had lost her family. She had given up hope of finding her brother or his mother. Somehow Wilder had brought those things into her life. She would never be able to see her mother and talk with her, try to understand her. She had always thought she didn’t feel anything for the senator, but she felt sorrow at his passing. She knew she wouldn’t have Salvadore or her parents, but at least she knew Salvadore was alive somewhere in the world. And she had Wilder.
“Salvadore told me he would never be able to have a woman. A family. It would be too dangerous for them. And for him. Even after Enrique Delgotto dies. He said more than anything he had wished for a family. He had Enrique growing up, and as long as he did as Enrique wanted and Guadalupe did as well, he could see his mother. They’re very close, but they can’t really see one another anymore.”
“Every child wants to have parents who love them. They want a safe environment. I have to admit I sympathize with your brother. I never believed I would have what you’ve given me. Believe me, more than anything, I intend to provide our children and you with a loving, healthy, very safe home. I know how privileged I am for the opportunity. As sad as it is, as much as I would want that for him, I don’t see a family in Salvadore’s future.”
She loved that Wilder wanted a family for her brother. She could hear the ring of truth in his voice. He so easily could have condemned Salvadore and his way of life, but he took into consideration, as she did, that Salvadore’s only other choice was death. If he wanted to live, just like if Guadalupe wanted to live, they had to comply with the cartel’s demands.