Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I think I’m winning life,” I murmur.
“What’s that?” Bentley asks.
“Nothing. Come on, we can help him open them together. It looks like Tara is coming up with a plan for the order,” I chuckle.
“I bet she has a clipboard and checklist somewhere,” he grumbles and shakes his head.
Yup, I’m winning at life. I couldn’t ask for better family and friends. All it takes is a single moment to change everything.
The moment Bentley appeared at my rehearsal dinner and my mother fainted will forever be the moment that changed my life for the better.
Now that Aaron’s birthday party is out of the way, I can lock in and get some other things in my life on track to ensure that change continues to bring joy like this.
Gilbert
That fucking bitch. I didn’t even get an invite to her brat’s birthday party. I should be there.
I can’t believe how everything changed in the blink of an eye. One minute, I was engaged and about to get married to the one woman I’ve obsessed over since high school. The next, I’m left holding my dick, wondering how the fuck I got here.
No wife, no family fortune, no fucking empire, no revenge. Instead, it’s like that son of a bitch broke my jaw all over again. He’s back here in Arizona, living with my woman, being idolized by the entire state like some immortal hero.
I fucking loathe Coswell. However, killing him would be so unsatisfying. I want him to suffer.
Coswell is going to pay. Zahirah will too. I’ve been patient before. I can do it again.
The only thing getting in my way is Hamilton and those fucking partners of his. They are rushing me to do something I can’t right now. I need time to think and come up with a plan B.
“You’re running out of time,” Hamilton says as if I don’t already know this.
“Aren’t you getting tired of telling me things I already know?”
“Honest? Yeah, I am. However, I like my life. If I don’t make sure you keep your word, I’m fucked. Bro, what are you going to do?”
I sigh and drag a hand down my face. Words aren’t going to fix this. I resent him thinking if he keeps talking, it’s going to change something.
“I need some time to think without everyone in my ear. If it’s not you, it’s my grandmother,” I bite out.
“Is she considering giving you the money without the marriage?”
“No, she’s still trying to figure out how I fucked things up with Zahirah. She wants her grandson back. She’s been talking about counseling and lawyers.”
“Dude, the moment your lawyers try to serve Zah to take her son, she and Coswell are going to blow all your shit up.”
“No fucking duh, Captain Obvious.”
“Listen, maybe it’s time to come up with another plan. These people mean business and when they find out we’ve been bullshitting, they’re going to come to collect whether we have it or not.”
“We weren’t going to have anything from the beginning. You were just the middleman. It’s always been my money, my investment.”
“Bro, this isn’t just about you. Yeah, you were putting up the majority of the funds, but this is my name and reputation on the line. Don’t be an asshole.”
I glare at him, tired of hearing his voice. My grandmother, for now, isn’t a voice I can silence. She won’t tell me if I’ll inherit everything upon her demise.
I’m not ready to take that risk. I need to acquire the money while she’s still alive and I’m in her good graces. However, Hamilton is a buzzing I can do without.
“Listen, Gilbert, I’m your friend. I want this to work out for you as much as I want to be clear of getting my head chopped off.”
“I have a question for you. Do your partners know anything about me?”
“No, not much. Remember, I’m vouching for you, so my name and head are on the—”
I don’t give him a chance to finish. I’ve heard all I want to hear from him. Standing from my seat with the smoking gun still in my hand, I mutter to myself about having to clean up this mess.
“At least now there’s silence, and the deal dies with you. If they don’t know me, they won’t be looking for me. One problem solved.
“Plan B is already working in my favor. Now, to get you cleaned up, or should I leave you for your housekeeper to find? Yes, I’ll wipe all your cams and leave. That sounds best,” I croon.
With that, I get to erasing all traces of my visit tonight. My phone pings in my pocket. I take it out and smile when I see the notification to let me know my gift for Aaron will arrive first thing in the morning.
I’m not going to punish the brat for his mother not inviting me to the party. She can’t erase me from the boy’s life. I was there from the beginning, no matter how hard Zah tried to make that.