Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“If she looked anything like you, then I know she was beautiful. And if you are anything like her, then I know she was courageous and smart and kind.”
“That’s . . . that’s one of the nicest things that anyone has ever said to me,” she told him.
“It’s just the truth.” He shrugged and turned away, feeling like he’d said too much. “How are Tank and Big B?”
He knew that she’d been worried about Tank getting upset with Captain being in the house.
“Actually, they’re surprisingly good. I’m going to go outside with the girls and Dougie and Gummy.”
“All right. Just stay where I can see you at all times.” The kitchen was at the back of the house so he could keep an eye on her through the window and the cameras.
Her lips twitched. “Yes, Daddy.”
His words dried on his tongue as she turned with a swish of her hips and left the kitchen.
Did she realize what she’d just done to him? There was no way she knew about that part of him. Was there?
No. It was just a joke.
Although maybe Livvy and Millie had said something? But he wasn’t sure they even knew.
Which likely meant it was just a joke.
And that should fill him relief. But, for some reason, it didn’t.
21
Maya sleepily climbed into her pajamas on Monday night. They were white with strawberries all over them. And the buttons down the top were small strawberries. She loved them. They were her comfort pajamas and they always made her feel better when she put them on.
She was tired. She’d worked Saturday, then spent the last two days with her babies or messaging Millie or Livvy while doing her best to avoid being alone too much with Matthieu. He’d spent a lot of time working on his laptop and phone.
It had been kind of awkward.
As she moved toward the bathroom, she glanced out the window.
There he was!
The street lighting was a bit hit and miss around here, but the dumbass had parked right under one of the few lights that actually worked.
Maya felt a wave of anger come over her.
Matthieu was right. This wasn’t normal. And it wasn’t healthy. How long until Ryan pushed things further? She’d thought him harmless because he just watched and never touched her.
But if this had been happening to a friend and they’d told her about it . . . she’d have told them all the things that Matthieu had said to her.
Maybe it was because she’d felt helpless to stop him. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t confront him. It was like a bully, right? If she confronted him, he’d likely back down.
Maya didn’t give anything else another thought as she strode out of the bedroom. Dougie, who’d been waiting at the door, ran after her as she headed out the front door t.
“Stay, Dougie.”
Dougie didn’t leave the property with her, but he did start to bark.
“Quiet, Dougie!” she called out as she reached Ryan’s door and glared down at him.
Was he . . . was that his hand . . . moving?
Oh. My. God.
She was going to vomit! He was out here masturbating? But why? Turning, she saw that she hadn’t closed her drapes.
Yep.
She was definitely going to vomit. Later. After she told Ryan what a pervert he was.
Opening the car door, she scowled at him. Then immediately regretted her decision. He’d obviously been so . . . involved in what he was doing that he hadn’t noticed her approach the car.
“Eww! Oh my God, Ryan! What do you think you are doing?”
“What the fuck!” he cried as he tried to desperately tuck himself back into his pants.
So gross.
“That is disgusting! What—eek!” Her words were broken off as an arm wrapped around her waist.
She was lifted into the air and turned. When she was placed on her feet, she frowned up at her assailant.
Her rather angry-looking assailant.
Who also happened to be her bodyguard. The one who had told her not to leave the house without him.
“Oh crap,” she muttered, directing her gaze to her feet.
“Oh crap is right,” he said in a low voice, his finger sliding under her chin and pushing her head back. “And you’re going to look at me for this part. You are in a world of trouble. Stay. Here.”
“But—”
“No buts. Stay right here or I swear I’m going to turn you over my knee right here and now.”
“Hey!” Ryan protested. “You can’t talk to her like that, you asshole! Who the fuck do you think you are!”
Oh no he didn’t! He didn’t get to speak to Matthieu like that! She spun back to Ryan. “Who the fuck do you think you are!” She pointed at him. “You’re sitting out here, watching me get changed into my pajamas and touching yourself like a fucking creep.”
“He was doing what?” Matthieu asked in a low voice.