Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 100853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
She gave another jerk of a nod. “I trust you,” she said. “I just…”
“Look, if the worst happens, we’ll deal with it together.”
“I’m sorry, Ford,” she said, her pale blue eyes on mine.
“For what?” I asked.
“For lying.”
“Are you sorry about this?” I raised my eyebrows as I tightened my arm around her shoulders.
Pink hit her cheeks, and she shook her head. “No. Maybe I should be, but I’m not. This is…” She reached up and brushed her lips across my jawbone. “This has been perfect.”
“Not ‘has been,’” I said, pressing a fingertip to her bottom lip. “Is. It is perfect. And everything’s going to be okay. Just trust me.”
She stared into my eyes for a beat and then let out a breath. “I do. I will.”
“Then let’s go see if the hot water is working,” I said, sliding out of bed.
A slow smile spread across her face.
I turned on the taps in the bathroom and steam floated up almost immediately. I followed her into the shower, wishing we had time for more than just getting clean. Her skin was soft and slick under my hands as I ran them over her body. “Later,” I whispered in her ear, my erection bumping her stomach as we shifted in the tight space.
“Later,” she agreed. Then she dropped a hand to wrap soapy fingers around my cock, stroking until my knees went weak.
I was tempted to forget the time, but I’d left the condoms in the other room. My promises about her not being fired wouldn’t be any good if I made her late to work.
I timed my entrance to breakfast just late enough that no one would have any idea we’d seen each other that morning, but early enough that I got to lay eyes on her once more. Sometimes the kids ate in the kitchen, but more often lately, they came to the main dining room where Finn laid out a breakfast buffet in heated chafing dishes. I grabbed a Belgian waffle and a scoop of scrambled eggs. Going from prison food to Finn’s cooking was the best kind of whiplash.
I took my seat at the table, pretending my attention was on my phone as I ate, though I snuck glances at Paige helping Nicky cut his waffles and pouring a refill of juice for August.
Hope came in carrying Stella. “She’s going to be a handful today,” she said, setting her daughter into the high chair, barely flinching as Stella let out a wail.
“Bad night?” Paige asked.
“No, maybe the opposite.” Hope let out a laugh. “She slept all night. When I got her out of her crib this morning, her little legs were beating the air. I put her down, and she zoomed all over the room.”
Paige grinned. “You always think you want them to walk—that first step is so important—and then you realize they were a lot easier when all they could do was roll.”
“So true,” Hope said, smiling wearily.
“Do you want me to take her with me when I drop the boys off at school?” Paige asked, smiling warmly at Stella who was shoving fruit in her mouth as fast as she could, smearing strawberry juice across her round cheeks.
Griffen and Hope exchanged a look. “Actually,” Griffen said, “we’re going to have Hawk’s team do drop-offs and pickups at school for now.”
Paige’s eyes widened. “Because of—?” She cut off and shot a glance in my direction.
“Yes,” Griffen said, catching her meaning. “I think the kids are safe at school—though we may assign someone there temporarily until this is resolved—but the drive between…” He shook his head. “We’re working on getting more manpower. For now, I need everyone to stick close to the house until we’ve come up with a solid plan.”
Paige nodded, and I couldn’t help my flash of relief. I knew most of my siblings were sick and tired of the need for extra security. I pushed down the flare of guilt. Griffen had made it abundantly clear we were in this together, and I was going to do my best to listen to him.
“What does your morning look like?” I asked Griffen and Hope.
“Somewhat flexible,” Hope said. “Why?”
I looked to Paige and gave a short nod.
“I need to talk to you,” Paige said.
“Oh God, please tell me you’re not quitting,” Hope said, her hazel eyes flying wide with alarm.
Paige swallowed. “No, I’m not quitting.”
Only I heard the unspoken addition: But when we’re done, you may throw me out.
“Why don’t you come to our office after the kids leave for school?” Griffen suggested.
“That would be good.” Paige’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Griffen. “I’ll be there by eight,” she said.
Stella let out another ear-piercing shriek, breaking the tension. August and Nicky watched with rapt attention as she dove her little fingers into the mound of eggs Hope had put on her tray and shoveled them into her mouth.