Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“I get it. She’s sweet. Is she always like that with your…”
“Don’t finish that sentence. No. Because I’ve never brought a woman home. My father’s failures made me the man that I am.”
“Wow.”
A loud noise echoed between them and Gage chuckled while Hope blushed. “Talk about wow—your belly is growling. Let me feed you. I’m already a bastard for keeping you locked up. I can’t handle knowing that I’m starving your pretty ass.”
They went to Austin together and spent the evening celebrating before driving home near midnight.
“I’m so tired,” she yawned, linking her fingers and stretching her arms down between her legs.
“I know. Shit. I have a busy day tomorrow. I’m going to be gone from sun up. Are you going to be okay at the house? The hands and Bill will be around.”
“I’ll be worried about you. You know I haven’t forgotten for one minute that you’re meeting with Navarro.” She narrowed her eyes at him. He smirked as he tilted his head.
“I promise I’ll be safe.” They pulled onto the main road to the ranch and hit the security area that now lit up when someone passed it.
She nodded with acceptance, which pleased Gage. It wasn’t like it would change his plans, but at least she wouldn’t be furious with him. “Fine, but until it’s time to get up, can you hold me?”
“That is an easy request, my lovely fiancée.” Saying the words out loud sent a bolt of satisfaction through his chest. He’d never felt this way before about anyone and he would never again. Hope had been his coming home.
She snuggled her head onto his shoulder until he parked in front of the main house. He nudged her to her seat just long enough for him to get out and come around to get his precious cargo.
“Come on, my sleeping beauty.” He carried her into the house and to their room, gently undressing them both. She woke a couple of times to assist. Once they were both tucked into bed, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back into his chest, spooning comfortably.
“Goodnight to you as well, my little baby,” he whispered, rubbing her flat tummy where he was certain their baby was growing.
Chapter Seventeen
“What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe this visit, Mr. Gibson, Ranger Savage.” Navarro stood in his foyer. “I know you’re not here to arrest me. Could this be about your woman, Mr. Gibson?”
“It’s good that you know she’s mine. I won’t stand for anyone coming between us.” Gage’s words were strong and deadly. After the long night of holding his wife and the precious cargo she carried, all he thought about was the threat that loomed outside. He wanted it to be gone for good.
“That’s fine by me. I already told Cummings that I wasn’t interested. She really wasn’t for me, anyway. She was supposed to be a bride for my son.” Navarro rolled his eyes.
“She told me that you wanted her as a mistress,” Gage told the older man.
“That’s what I told Cummings. I wanted an innocent girl for my son. Not some whore, but my son found someone anyway.”
“Then why didn’t you just say that?” Gage demanded to know with his fists clenched.
“Because I thought the bastard would have asked for more money. A man willing to sell his daughter to a life of submission would be willing to do anything. I thought I was fucked up, but he’s a whole other level of fucked up.”
“How am I to believe you?” he persisted, needing reassurance that Hope was safe.
“You can believe it because the second that she disappeared, not one of my men went looking for her, but if you don’t believe me, check this message.” He handed over his phone with a text from his son, Ignacio.
Papa, I don’t want you to buy me a wife. Stop that bullshit. If Anya never speaks to me again, I’ll be done with you.
Gage handed back the phone, and Navarro continued. “He went to our lawyer. He learned that I had a prenup for Ms. Cummings to sign. His woman stormed out after she learned of it.”
“Shit. So, you’re not going to fuck with us?”
He shrugged. “Not at all. I couldn’t care less. I like his woman. She’s a really good girl.”
“Good. I’m going to hold you to that.”
“No problem. Congratulations.”
They excused themselves just as the younger Navarro walked in with a young woman on his arm. He strolled in with power and anger on his person.
“You better not have been here to start shit. My dad and I didn’t commit any crimes.” Ignacio Navarro scowled at the men coming toward him. He pulled the girl close to his side.
“Trying to buy someone is a crime,” Alex informed him, giving him a deadly glare.
“Nothing ever happened with that young lady and me. As you can see, I don’t need a bride.” Ignacio hated that his Anya had ever been subjected to the idea that there was another woman. He’d never do anything to hurt her.