Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 129676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“Flew to Jamaica—same beach you and your family went to—to find an identical shell.”
My eyes snapped up to his face. “This is not the original bracelet?”
He shook his head. “It was lost on the way to the coroner’s office. I checked.”
“So how did you—”
“I knelt down in the sand like a fucking toddler and looked for a similar seashell. Took seven hours.”
“How did you remember exactly what it looked like?” The shell was a dead ringer to the one I’d had.
“Because I remember every fucking thing about you, Gia.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, draping the bracelet over my wrist. He stepped forward to help me clasp it. I wasn’t quite ready to apologize for not keeping him updated on my mother’s condition, but I wasn’t livid with him anymore. The man flew to Jamaica and searched its beaches to find me a seashell. To imagine him crouching in his suit on the loose white sand, burying his fingers in it to fish for one of the rarest shells in the world, made me feel fuzzy.
As though reading my mind, Tate grumbled, “And yes, I wore a suit.”
“God.” I placed a hand on his cheek, biting down on a smile. “Now Cal and Dylan think our marriage is a mess.”
“Our marriage is a mess.” He stared at me incredulously.
“I know.” I laughed tiredly. “But…it’s not bad all the time. It’s just that their relationships are so…normal. They’re perfectly in tune with their husbands.”
“It hasn’t always been like this.” Tate brushed my cheeks with his thumbs, cupping my face. “I remember when Calla ran away from Row five hundred times because she was scared of her own shadow. Rhyland and Dylan alternated between boning and trying to kill one another publicly. Relationships are messy. It takes time to find your groove.”
“What a profound observation.” I curled my arms around his waist, drawing him close.
“Thanks. I stole it from a Hallmark movie.”
“Tatum Blackthorn, I’d bet every penny to my name you’ve never watched a Hallmark film.”
“Please don’t do that. We have a joint account, and you’d lose.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “I did, once, while flying commercial. Only one channel was available due to a technical problem. Everyone on the plane had to watch it. It’s what drove me to make enough money to buy my own plane.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. It was the first smile I had on my face since we took Mum off her tubes.
“Also, to set the record straight, you were the one to suggest anal.” He stole another peck, this time on my lips.
“You literally asked me!” I swatted his chest.
“Because you literally pushed that sweet little asshole onto my dick,” he retorted. “I was being polite. Contrary to popular belief, I take social cues well.”
Nothing was right between us. Nothing but the notion we needed each other in this fucked-up, toxic way. And Tate was right—the blame didn’t sit squarely on him. I’d been dodging, avoiding, and omitting too.
“Oh yeah?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah.”
“Then shut up and kiss me.”
From: Dr. Arjun Patel, MD
(arjunpatel@stjohnsmedical.com)
To: Tate Blackthorn
(willnotanswerunsolicitedemails@GSproperties.com)
Subject: Follow up.
Tate.
I have been following the news closely.
I’m worried.
Please get back to me.
Three more days passed, and Telma Bennett was still alive.
I was torn. On the one hand, as long as she survived, so did my marriage to her daughter.
On the other, it took its toll on Gia. She was exhausted whenever I saw her, which wasn’t often. She sat vigil day in and day out at the hospice while her mother straddled the gates of life and death.
Strictly from a practical point of view, Gia was safe as long as she was there. Tiernan wasn’t dumb enough to raid a fucking hospice. And me? Well, let’s just say I used my Gia-less time doing a deep dive in his sister’s life. I knew where she lived, who she fucked, and how often.
Row and Rhyland decided to take me out for a few pints tonight to keep me occupied while Gia was with her mother. Even before I got to the bar, I’d decided they were two boring fucks, and I’d called Achilles and Luca to tag along.
Rhyland and Row kept their poker faces on when I strolled into the Forbidden Fruit Club with two full-blown gangsters. The club was Ferrante territory, so I didn’t get what the big deal was. The table was filled with appetizers and expensive spirits.
“Casablancas. Thank you for catering my engagement party. We received nothing but compliments.” Luca offered Row his hand to shake.
“That’s probably because your family makes Al Capone look like a kitty, but I’ll take it.” Row squeezed his palm. “When’s the wedding?”
“Hopefully never.” Luca knocked a shot back, slamming the glass on the table. “But in all probability, next summer.”
“How are the Callaghans?” I turned to Achilles. I didn’t mind talking shop in front of Row and Rhyland. They were straitlaced but discreet. Also, I had both by the balls financially through different endeavors.