Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Maybe if I’m bad enough he’ll punish me for it.
God, even the thought of Gareth spanking me isn’t enough to turn this horrible day around.
“It’s that bad?” he asks softly.
With real emotion in his voice. That’s a surprise, coming from him. I didn’t know the man could feel anything beyond a cold satisfaction at a job well done.
Then again, I felt something when he kissed me yesterday.
“Yeah, it’s that bad. The whole place is gone. All my stuff. All my memories. It’s all gone.”
“I can’t imagine what that must feel like.”
I bite my lip. Even that small bit of empathy makes me blink with emotion. It’s more than the fifty dollars my mother offered.
“It isn’t your fault. Did I ruin that stuff with those clients? The Orin guy?”
“Yes and no. We’ll discuss that in a few hours. Where are you right now?”
“I’m sitting on a bench near my apartment building feeling sorry for myself.”
“You still have that credit card?”
“I do, yes.”
“Find me your nearby cross streets. I’ll send a car to pick you up. It’ll take you to the Grand Hyatt outside of the DFW airport. Rent a room with that card, get yourself something to eat, and wait for me there.”
I sit, staring at the ground. My stomach churns with uncertainty.
Can I really do this? Take his money? Take his help?
I don’t know what it’ll mean. If I’ll owe him whatever I charge to the card, or if I’ll owe him even more than that.
He said we were married. He told a serious Irish gangster that I’m his wife—and I played along.
I feel like that means something, but not something good.
Like we’re bound in the lie, and if I keep following him, I’ll end up going further than I ever imagined.
Further into this fake little world he created.
But the feeling of his mouth on mine, his fingers digging into my side—it makes my heart start to race.
“You kissed me last night,” I say, chewing on my lip at the memory. I blurt it out before I can stop myself.
He laughs, a sensual chuckle. “I was trying to sell the story. You’re welcome.”
“For the kiss? It was a good kiss, but not something I’d thank you for.”
I can hear the smile in his voice. “You liked it? I thought you would. But no, I mean you’re welcome for making sure the Crowley family didn’t murder you.”
“Oh. Right. That little detail.”
“Yes, that. I’m glad you enjoyed the kiss though. Now, go get me the cross streets.”
I slowly stand. “It was an adequate kiss, don’t get all excited.” I find my location and tell him. “I’m not even sure why I’m doing this. I mean, that was really, beyond bizarre. I’m supposed to be your assistant. You’re my freaking boss. I barely know you. Why did you say we’re married?”
“We’ll discuss that in person. Stay where you are, the car’s coming.”
“Gareth, wait, hold on—” But the line goes dead.
Typical controlling asshole.
I stand there in the hot Texas sun, weighing my options. I could go back to the motel Eduardo mentioned and take my chances with what little cash I have left.
Or I could get in Gareth’s car and find out how weird this little wrinkle in my professional life is going to get.
I wipe my forehead. There’s no real choice. I’m broke, my apartment burned down, I don’t know where my car is, and I have no family or friends in town to help me out.
Which means Mr. Bossy-Asshole is my best option.
When the car shows up, I toss my luggage in the trunk, and climb inside.
Chapter 6
Gareth
I’m going to get myself killed.
And I probably deserve it.
I don’t know what the hell I was thinking, saying Fiona is my wife. As soon as I went back into that room, I could tell the vibe had changed. Orin went along with the meeting like nothing had happened, but his sons kept staring at me, especially that creature Liam.
They could tell it was bullshit.
But it was such an insane lie, they probably couldn’t figure out how to prove that I’m a fraud.
I likely could’ve told them the truth. Admitted she was my legal assistant. Apologized for misleading them. I would’ve lost the job, but even violent gangsters aren’t stupid enough to straight out murder a couple of people in the back of a bar.
Probably, at least.
But some part of me can’t let go. I can’t lose, not if there’s a way to turn it around.
And so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
Now I’m fucked because Orin wants to have another meeting.
And he wants me to bring my new wife.
This is bad. Extremely bad. I could go to Carmine or Evander for help, but I can only guess what they’ll say. Something along the lines of, holy shit, you’re an idiot, you might as well put the gun in your mouth and pull the trigger for Orin next time.