Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Something clicked in Brandon’s eyes, and he let his friend pull him away. They continued down the street and got into a car parked on the side of the road.
As they drove away, I turned to Serenity. Seething, she glared after them, but behind her rage, tears were gathering in her eyes, and I could tell it was taking everything she had to hide how much he’d hurt her. Seeing that broke something inside of me, and I wanted to chase down that son-of-a-bitch and beat him until his own mother wouldn’t recognize his face.
Letting out a breath, I glanced at the crowd. “Nothing to see here, folks. The party’s in there.” I jerked my chin at the door, and the bouncers helped direct people inside.
Swallowing my anger, I stepped toward Serenity.
She stiffened. “I’m fine.” But her voice shook. In fact, her whole body trembled.
“Well, I’m not.” Still enraged at her ex, I tugged her against my chest and rubbed her back.
“Oh.” Her breath caught, but she slowly let it out and relaxed into my arms. I held her until she stopped trembling. “Let’s go get your things.” Keeping my arm around her, I walked her back into the club, doing my best to shield her from curious gazes. I held her while we got her purse and jacket, and didn’t let go until we’d gone through the back door and into the parking lot.
At my car, I moved to open the door, but she pushed my arm away.
“Wait. Let me touch it first.”
I waited, watching her peel off her glove and reach for the handle. Brushing the cool surface, she swallowed before nodding. “It’s fine.”
I pulled the door open and she got in. Heading to the other side, I slid behind the wheel and started the car. After backing out, I pulled onto the road and glanced her way. “Your ex is a piece of shit.”
She nodded, but didn’t say anything, finally letting her mask fall and the tears come.
“Just so you know. If I ever come across him again, I will beat the hell out of him.”
She sniffed. “Really? Even if I didn’t want you to?”
“You really don’t want me to beat him up?” I didn’t believe that for a second.
A tiny smile pinched one corner of her gorgeous mouth. “He’s not worth the trouble. Besides that, he’s suing me, so I need to be careful.” Pausing, she sent me a trembling smile. “But once that part is over, I wouldn’t stop you.”
I nodded. “It’s a deal.” Glancing at the time, I shook my head. “I’m afraid that taking out the trash means there’s not time for you to change.”
She sighed. “Oh well. It’s okay. I can put my jacket on.” Working around her seatbelt, she slipped her arms through the jacket and stuffed her gloves into her purse. Before closing it, she pulled out a tissue and wiped her nose. After checking her reflection in the visor mirror, she dabbed at her eyes and settled back into the seat.
I waited for her to say something about her husband, but when she didn’t, I spoke up. “So… on top of getting divorced, he’s suing you? What’s that about… are you a secret billionaire or something?”
“Hardly.” A sardonic laugh burst out of her. “He says it’s for mental cruelty, because of the stress from the accident.” She made finger quotes. “But all he really wants is the insurance settlement money.”
She laughed at the irony. “He thinks I’ve got it stashed away somewhere, but I don’t. It’s gone… I had to use it to pay all the hospital and doctor bills. I had insurance, but it barely helped, and the bills piled up. After I paid them and my lawyer’s fees, I used the rest to pay off the mortgage.
“Now, he wants half of what the house is worth, along with half of the settlement money. My lawyer says he won’t get it, but Brandon’s promised to tell everyone I’m a psychopath if I fight him on this. My lawyer says I can’t lose, but it’s going to cost me a ton of money in fees. Plus—” She waved her hand. “It’ll ruin my reputation.
I shook my head. “No it won’t. I mean… a lot of men say their exes are psychos.”
Her mouth flattened, and she stared at me with a raised brow.
My eyes widened. “What? They do.”
“I know.” Shaking her head, she pressed a hand to her forehead. “I shouldn’t let it get to me, but it does.”
“So, is that why you took the job?”
She sent me a furtive glance. “Mostly. Plus, working for Vanetti is a real boost to my business. I should be able to get more clients with his recommendation, you know?”
“True.” I shook my head. “The accident must have been bad, but I don’t understand why your husband would turn on you. You’re a beautiful woman. You’re smart, and funny, and you’re… sexy as hell. It doesn’t make sense.”