Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“I’m not going to shame you for anything you’ve done. I know you have done what was needed every time. Your heart is a good one, but you’re still your father’s daughter.
“If they fuck around, they’re going to find out. Make peace with who you truly are, Danika, and embrace the love that man wants to give you. It’s time.”
“What if he can’t accept who I am?” I whisper to my lap.
She bursts into laughter, then reaches to lift my head by my chin. I search her eyes through my tear-filled ones. There is so much here for me to process.
“Girl, I know my brother taught you better than that. You don’t see the killer in that man’s eyes? I know a killer when I see one, it’s all I ran with when I was younger.” She snorts.
“Oh, you’ve been thinking with that thing between your legs. Look again, baby. You two are one and the same.”
My head is officially fucked up. Could she be right, and I’ve been ignoring the signs all along? I’m going to figure that out, but first, I’m going to find out who killed my father.
Yeah, that shit didn’t go over my head.
CHAPTER 30
Betting the Odds
Dean
“You’re forty-four? Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” Mom says as she looks across the table at Ronan.
“Aye, I got lucky. Some say I know the location of the fountain of youth. I say the good Lord wanted to take the piss at my brothers. I looked a lot older than my age as a young lad, but the clock stopped somewhere after twenty.”
“Your brothers don’t look their ages either,” I snicker.
“Aye, if ya say so. I’m the best looking of the lot.”
“I love the confidence. It’s needed with Danny. If she lets you in, you’re lucky, but she won’t spare your feelings just because she cares about you,” Mom says.
“Ach, I’ve come to love that about her. I’m not a bullshitter and neither is she.”
“Okay, so I have a question for you. Danny will turn thirty-three this year. You are going to be forty-five. Do you want to have children?”
“Mom.”
“It’s a legit question. You and Anika are my only daughters. Your sister has disappeared to God knows where, so you are my only option for becoming a grandmother. I need to know where his mind is.”
Ronan swallows hard and a distant look comes to his face. It happens so fast, but I catch it. It’s almost a look of longing or disappointment.
“Aye, I would like to be a father if that’s in the cards. Sometimes ya don’t know how much ya want something until it’s taken away.” He clears his throat then reaches to take a sip of his drink.
“Good, Danny froze her eggs earlier this year. There’s still hope.”
“Mom,” I growl.
That was something I wanted to share with him at another time, like the fact that I started birth control right after I froze them. There is a lot we still need to address as a couple. Although I know a lot more about him since sitting at this table.
“Girl, you’re dating to play. I’m helping you date this man for marriage. Hush up.”
I cover my face and groan as I sink down in my seat, feeling like I’m sixteen all over again. Ronan laughs and reaches to place his hand behind my neck to give it a gentle squeeze. I look at him and his eyes are sparkling.
See, I knew I didn’t need these two to meet; they have us married already. The problem is, I can see it too.
“Not everyone wants to get married, Mom.”
“I used to say the same thing. I think sometimes ya have to find the right person then the desire to be with them and only them comes.”
“Exactly, that desire needs to come quick around here. I’m not going to live forever. I want to see my baby girl walk down the aisle to someone who cares about her. Someone I can trust.”
“Nothing is wrong with that. A life spent with Danny would be one filled with love, laughs, passion, and adventure. Aye, a grand life that would be.”
“Perfect. It’s settled. You two can get married right here in Vegas and give this mother her dying wish.”
“Mom. I can’t with you right now. How the heck are you going to apply that kind of pressure to our relationship? There’s still so much we don’t even know about each other. He doesn’t want to marry me.”
“Aye, love. I do.”
I freeze and stop breathing as I slowly turn my head to look at him. He’s serious. There is a huge smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes.
“What are you talking about?” I ask with my brows knit.
“I told ya. You are mine. I wasn’t talking temporarily. My brother-in-law has this saying he has taught his boys. This life has taught me its truth. Lorg a h-uile duine leatha agus cùm i leat leat fhèin.”