Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“It’s hard, I know, but we can’t keep them locked away, or they will sneak around. The more you try to control a person, the harder they fight.” Z seems to deflate some. “Go sleep it off. Our sister is—”
“Not my sister.”
“You’re drunk; you don’t mean that.” Oh, I think he does. “Or you wouldn't be so upset about it.” I’m going to have to clue Warren in to what’s really going on around here. His naïveté when it comes to relationships is really shining through. I can’t wait to see the shocked look on his face when I tell him the truth.
“You don’t fucking get it.” Z shakes his head. “You got the girl.”
“Come on, to bed. There are orders not to let Cosima leave the farm for now. We’re on lockdown.” He goes to grab his elbow, but Z jerks it back.
“I’m fucking going.” Z turns, leaving. Warren watches him until he disappears down the hallway.
Warren closes and locks our door behind him.
“He’s in love with her.” His words surprise me. I guess he’s not as naïve as I thought.
“You think?” I feign mock surprise.
“You know?”
“I’ve been piecing it together. How he is with her. Think about it. Who might you act over-the-top crazy about?” I tap my finger against my lips as if I’m thinking real hard.
“Shit.” Warren glances back toward the closed doors. “What about her?”
“She’s into it, but neither is going to admit it.”
“He’s a ticking time bomb. I have never seen him that way.” I haven't either. Z is the laid-back, funny one who is wicked smart. "Maybe it is time for Cosima to head back to Europe."
"Don't." I shake my head. "If she wants to go, that's one thing, but if she wants to stay, this is her home." I might like having her here, too, but I'm not telling Warren that. After him trying to find me friends, he might demand she stay. “You have to let them figure it out. But sometimes a little nudge doesn’t hurt. As you’re well aware.”
“A nudge.” Warren smirks, coming over to me. He lifts me off my feet, and I wrap my legs around him. “You want a nudge?” He’s teasing and light now. I love this side of him. Who am I kidding? I love all of his sides, even the insane ones.
“I might let you nudge me.” Warren carries me over to the bed, laying me down.
“Might?”
“You still have one more confession,” I remind him. “You think I forgot?”
Warren lifts my hand. “Your ring.” Diamonds encrust the entire band. I love that it’s simple but still elegant and pretty, eye-catching.
“It alerted me shortly after Marks that you were in danger.”
“My ring?” I turn my hand over to see, but there isn’t anything that appears abnormal.
“There is a chip in it.” He appears almost sheepish. An expression I have never seen on his handsome face before. I might call it adorable.
“That’s kind of cool,” I admit.
“It doesn’t bother you?”
“No.” Warren’s brows pull together. “What?” I laugh. “Does it give you peace of mind?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down. “Now what about my nudge?”
“Fuck, I love you, little mouse.” Warren’s mouth takes mine before I can tell him I love him too, but he already knows that.
Now I just have to figure out how to get other people around here to realize their love for each other.
I want Z to get the girl, and for Marks to find her hairy thigh man. All in due time. What’s meant to be is in fate’s hands, with maybe a small nudge from me this time. I am the lady of the house, after all.
Epilogue
WARREN
Icheck the time before closing out my emails, sending the last of the contracts I finalized early this morning. It was rather convenient when Mr. Woods' company ended up going up for sale. His wife didn’t want to deal with it, plus she got the insurance payout. She was in it for the money. Which she only had for a few months before she OD'd.
I was able to swoop in and buy it out from her at bottom dollar. Which worked well in my favor, seeing as all of my warehouses and docks were filled to capacity.
This made it easier to expand. It was a perk that Mr. Woods had gone up in flames. I could start from scratch on the land. Now I have finalized those new warehouses as well. We are growing and expanding, and it appears rather legit to the average eye. Not that I had anything to do with the downfall of the Woods family. They, in the end, were the makers of their own demise.
I pass through the kitchen, giving Chef Marcello a nod. He is busy at work making tons of small bites. It's Wednesday night, and Wednesday is girls' night. I already know where my wife is without having to check.