Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“I sure do, love.” He starts walking, and I reluctantly follow. “Just like your daddy.”
We lapse into silence. Liam leads us on a circuitous route for a half hour before ordering an Uber back into Manhattan. I sit in the back of the car, our knees almost touching, and try not to stare at the strange man taking me back to his unknown apartment.
The Whelan family. My father’s employers.
Liam’s one of them, and the kind of member who wears a suit and goes to work every day in an office like I’m used to. He was snooping through Kieren’s car, which means something very bad is going on, and I don’t fully understand what.
We get dropped off outside of a surprisingly nice apartment building. Liam heads inside, greets the doorman, and gets on the elevator. “You smell like gas and smoke,” I mutter as we ride to the top floor.
“I know, great, isn’t it? Don’t worry about Ivan down there. He’s seen much worse, trust me.”
Liam’s place is shockingly nice. The man’s dressed like a thug and acts like a killer, but his apartment feels more like it belongs to a high-end hedge fund manager. Big, airy windows, multiple rooms, everything expensively furnished. He cracks a bottle of whisky and pours two glasses as I sit nervously at his kitchen island, the marble countertop gleaming in the modern lighting.
“Drink,” he says, sliding a glass to me, and lifts his to his lips.
I don’t bother pretending like I don’t want it. I toss the full thing back in one go and cough, covering my mouth.
“Jesus Christ, that was a three-hundred-dollar glass of scotch.” He laughs, delighted, and pours me another. “Do it again.”
I glare and ignore him. “Are you ready to explain what the hell happened back there? I’m seriously struggling to keep myself from freaking out right now.”
“That’s fair.” He rolls his glass, sips, and wanders into the living room, looking out the windows. “I hate this city, but I love this view.”
I spin and watch him look out at the vista. I follow his gaze, softening somewhat. I have to admit, it’s an incredible view: New York spreads out, lights and steel, cars crawling along. I try to spot a plume of rising smoke, but the skyline is quiet.
“Why were you searching Kieren’s car?”
He turns to study me again. Another sip of his drink. The whisky warms my belly and spreads to my head, making everything soft.
“Your boyfriend did something very stupid. I was sent to confirm it, and to fix it.”
I snort, very undignified. “Yeah, pretty sure I already know he fucked up big time. I saw it happen. In my bed.”
Liam’s nose wrinkles. “He cheated on you in the bed you two shared?”
“For years. It was his idea to move in!” I don’t know why that detail makes it feel so much worse. “I was against it at first, but he talked me into it.”
“Kieren’s good at that, isn’t he?”
I nod, pissed off, and grab the second glass. I try sipping this time but it still just tastes like wood steeped in cleaning solution. I suppress a gag.
“That’s Kieren, able to talk himself out of basically anything. My dad loved him. Not sure how he feels now that we broke up and he hasn’t been coming into work. God, that stupid asshole, we had a good thing—“ Tears threaten and I have to swallow them back, struggling to maintain control. Liam looks on impassively. “Kieren was moving up at work. Dad was talking like he’d help run the business one day. I’d be the company’s main CPA, he’d be the CEO or something, and together—“ I let out a bitter laugh. “But that future’s dead now, huh? Burned like his stupid car.”
I throw back the whisky, feeling stupid, ugly, angry, and broken.
“I’m sorry, love. He’s a fucking idiot.” Liam sounds genuine, which surprises me. He glances back at the city. “Lots of fucking idiots in this town. If I had a woman like you, I’d lick your toes and treat you the way you deserve.”
I burst out laughing. “Oh my god, lick my toes?!” I wipe tears from my eyes. “Are you serious?”
He shrugs, smiling slightly too. “If you’re into it, love, I’ll give you it.”
“You’re one weird freak, you know that?”
“I’ll wear that badge proudly.” He finishes his drink and comes over. With a sigh, he pours a second, and nods at me. “Unfortunately, though, we do have some business to discuss.” His eyes roam me toes to lips. “Where’s Kieren staying right now?”
The question surprises me. I shake my head. “I don’t know. I figured he was still back at our apartment.”
“From what I can tell, he hasn’t been back there since you caught him.”
“Then he’s probably staying with—“ I close my eyes and see Vera’s bored smirk, her tits swaying with every thrust.