Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Knowing it really tore her up that my brothers and I had pretty much sworn off relationships because of Nina’s betrayal, I fought the urge to try and reassure her I was fine, knowing she’d see through my lie. “I know.”
I could tell she wanted to say more, but held back, satisfying herself with a brief hug before releasing me. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
As soon as she left, my phone rang. I growled with irritation before answering it, turning my gaze back to Joy’s still form. “This had better be good news.”
Terrance, one of my enforcers, replied in a tight voice, “Got another girl beat to shit tonight. Guy matches the description of one of the Salvatore cartel’s pimps that’s been trying to lure our girls away. What do you want me to do?”
My brother Fernando used to deal with our high-end escort business, but when he’d lost his son due to his bitch wife’s treachery, he’d also lost his mind.
Now, in addition to being in charge of the nightclub branch of my parent’s empire, and in charge of head hunting for new talent and doing the occasional assassination, I also helped out some with keeping the high-end escorts that worked for us safe.
From what Terrance said, I’d failed at that as well.
With a heavy heart, I watched Joy sleep. “I have some things I have to deal with here. Have David take care of it and tell him to make a statement. How bad was our girl hurt?”
“Not too bad. The training we gave her when she signed with us kicked in, and she managed to mace the guy before he did much more than slap her around. She has some bruises, but nothing big.”
“She got kids?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Send her to our spa out in Laguna Beach for two weeks. Give her one of the bungalows and let her rest and heal up. If she has someone she wants to bring with her for support, that’s fine. Either way, make sure she has a nurse and a therapist available to her.”
“Will do.”
“Call me if you have any problems.”
After I hung up, I took in the silence of the room and the soft sigh of Joy breathing in her sleep. The reality of the situation sank in and a tremor shook my hands as I tossed my phone on the couch. My girl was hurt, and I fucking hated myself for not claiming her earlier like I’d wanted. Instead, I’d let my fear of trusting a woman almost rob me of my chance at happiness.
Looking down at her, I tried to resist the lure of touching Joy, knowing I should let her get her rest, but I couldn’t.
For months I’d watched her, studied her, observed her life with a single-minded focus that baffled even me. I’d fantasized about what it would be like to just happen to run into her on the street, wondering if she’d recognize me, if she’d find me attractive. If she’d even speak to me. Our first meeting at my Aunt’s house had not gone well, so I kind of hoped she didn’t remember the fact that I’d assumed she was an exotic dancer or a gold digging whore.
I’m ashamed to say I judged her solely on her body and looks, two things she’d been born with and couldn’t help. Unfortunately for her, in many ways I am a sexist pig, and when I see a woman built for sin, I assume she’s aware of that gift and uses it to her benefit. Beauty makes men dumb; it’s a proven fact. I knew some women who used their good looks to manipulate and scam their way through life.
Joy, however, secretly hated her appearance. I saw it when I watched her, alone in her bedroom, standing naked before her mirror and sighing with dissatisfaction as she tried to suck in her adorable round belly, or jiggled her large ass with a scowl. If only she knew how fucking beautiful she was; if only she could accept that she was literally a goddess. I’d never imagined that a body as perfect as hers, extra curves and all, existed. Those big, heavy, brown tipped breasts of hers were constant stars in my jerk-off fantasies, and I’d imagined a thousand and one ways I’d defile her tits.
My gaze had wandered to the rise of her chest, covered by clean sheets, before I forced my attention back to her swollen face.
No, she was out, as in O-U-T out and I wasn’t the kind of guy to take advantage of any woman, especially Joy.
But I had to touch her.
I moved to the side of the queen-sized bed and sat down next to Joy, the depression of the mattress making her lean into me.
Just the contact of her soft, warm hip against mine sent my blood boiling, and I fought myself, wrestled with this roaring need to hold her close and never let her go.