Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Do you really think I’m going to let that bastard in here to see my wife?”
Growling with frustration, she glared at him wishing she could hurt him with her looks alone.
It was useless. There was no way for her to get through his thick fucking skull.
“I want to see Tate and Killer.”
“No.”
Staring at the window, Kelsey forced herself to ignore him.
You fucked up, Kelsey. People now think you’re insane.
“Are you going to ignore me?” he asked.
She was going to ignore him and anyone who tried to talk to her. Staring at the darkness of night, Kelsey thought about Killer and what it would be like if Michael had never come home. She should have told Killer. Her biggest regret was not telling him the truth. Her life would certainly be easier if Michael never came back.
****
Michael walked out of Kelsey’s hospital ward feeling like the worst bastard in the world. From the first moment he saw her, he’d been intrigued by her beauty, but he’d also been pissed by not getting back his money. Kelsey was a pretty girl, innocent in a way he’d never seen before. There was nothing between them, and he didn’t want to fuck her either. Her parents took and didn’t give him a fucking cent back. She asked for time to pay off her parents’ debts, and he respected her for it. Kelsey hadn’t been responsible for her parents’ debts. The truth was, he had to marry a woman to fit with his father’s will. The ultimatum had hit him within days of meeting Kelsey. The way he saw it Kelsey would be easy to manipulate into what he wanted. He liked the freedom of doing what he wanted.
When he first heard about the will his father left, he’d been angry. Then seeing an opportunity to marry a woman who wouldn’t make any demands from him had him grasping for Kelsey.
He liked the power of forcing her to do what he wanted.
Also, he liked being a married man. The gold-digging whores stayed well away. People didn’t mess with him, and it gave him the edge when no one knew where to look. He made sure no one knew about Kelsey. If they ever found out the true identity of his wife she’d be in danger.
His father had given him an ultimatum, and Kelsey was the only safe woman he could think of to marry. Besides the usual legitimate businesses, Michael had inherited something far worse, and he hoped to never let it touch Kelsey. He’d married her to gain his full inheritance, but he wasn’t prepared to have her death on his conscience. Michael hadn’t liked everything he inherited, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.
The only reason he was in Fort Wills was because of his other business. While he was here he always intended to visit Kelsey and remind her of their bargain. Hearing about her involvement with The Skulls hadn’t helped matters. The last thing he needed was the club looking into him.
Glancing at his watch, he saw it was time to leave. If his business associates knew who Kelsey was, she’d be in danger. He was risking fucking everything to keep her hidden, his own life as well.
Leaving the hospital he caught sight of Killer stood outside smoking. Was he the only one of The Skulls left? With them at the hospital Michael always felt on guard. Killer always looked too deeply. He knew everything about the other man and wouldn’t put it past Killer not to look into him. Fortunately, he knew his past and associations were long buried.
“You leaving her for the night?” Killer asked.
“She doesn’t want me there. When she’s finished here I’ll take her away from all this. Probably to one of my islands for her to feel better. Fort Wills is not the place for her to get better. This is a fucked up place, and I don’t want her part of it anymore.” On one of his islands, he wouldn’t have to think about her at all. He didn’t love her or want anything else from her, but he didn’t want her to die because of him. Michael told her what he wanted her to hear. The life he kept hidden was threatening to spill into their world.
Killer threw his cigarette away standing up to his full height.
Michael didn’t scare easily.
“You’re not taking Kelsey anywhere. She’s my woman, and I will have her off you,” Killer said.
“I’d like to see you try.” Michael never backed down from a challenge.
“Are you used to getting what you want?” Killer asked.
On guard once again, Michael stared back at Killer.
The other man laughed. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
Leaving Killer behind, Michael made his way toward his driver. Climbing into the back seat he felt Killer’s eyes on him the entire time.