Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Fear curdled in the middle of him, all while hope came sprouting up through the rubble.
He touched her flat belly. “You sure?”
She nodded frantically before she flew forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him hard as she begged, “Let’s leave and start something brand new. No more blood, Milo.”
His arms curled around her, and he stood without letting her go. “Okay, baby. Let’s go.”
He knocked on the door outside Stefan’s office in downtown San Francisco.
He kept his legitimate businesses here, the rest he’d brought to Milo’s door.
“Come in.”
Milo’s chest tightened as he stepped inside.
Stefan studied him, his brow pinching at the look on Milo’s face.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like the reason for this visit?”
Dread raced his throat, and he forced out the words. “Because I can’t fight any longer.”
Stefan scowled. “What do you mean, you can’t fight?”
“It’s time I moved on and did something honest with my life.”
A scoff rolled from Stefan, and he eased forward in his executive chair. “Men like us don’t do honest, Milo. Why do you think I picked you up and took you under my wing? Molded and shaped you into the man you are today? Because you are just like me, and you always will be.”
“Maybe I don’t want to be him anymore.”
Eyeing Milo, Stefan rocked back in his chair. “I gave you everything. Laid every opportunity at your feet. You would be nothing without me.”
A flare of hatred burst in Milo’s spirit.
It’d started out that way. Stefan filling his head with promises, feeding into his wounds and into his pride.
But in the end, Stefan had just wanted to use him.
Use him for power.
For his greed.
For his twisted hungers that Milo hadn’t recognized before it’d been too late.
He’d allowed himself to be led astray.
He knew it then.
“Autumn gave me more.”
In an instant, Milo knew he shouldn’t have admitted it.
Dark amusement played through Stefan’s features. “So, this is about the girl.”
“I’m leaving this life behind and starting a family.”
Stefan grunted. “I am your family.”
“Not anymore.” Milo started for the door.
Stefan pushed to his feet.
“You owe me, Milo. Everything you have is because of me. Wherever you go, don’t forget that. I created you. Made you. Own you. But I’ll let you go. Because you need to see for yourself who you are. Because I love you like a son. You’ll return when the time is right.”
Milo held his scoff.
Stefan was delusional.
He was never coming back.
Milo clung to Autumn’s hand where they stood outside her parents’ mansion hidden in the woods.
Its pitched roof was so tall it became a fixture in the heavens, the grounds pristine and manicured.
Autumn’s mother stood on the front porch since she refused to invite Milo inside. Disgust poured from her as she glowered at him. “What are you thinking, bringing this trash to my doorstep?”
Trash.
Milo fought the voices that stirred in his mind, and Autumn clung tighter to his hand like she could protect him from the ugliness that wanted to climb from the pit where he’d locked it away.
“Please, don’t be like that, Mom. I love him.”
Paula scoffed. “That’s not love, Autumn. This is juvenile infatuation. I promise you’ll come to your senses and get over it soon enough. Now, come inside where you belong.”
“It’s not infatuation. I love him. So much. We’re getting married and having a baby.”
Her mother blanched.
Her face stark white.
Horror bowed her back, and her hand darted out to grip onto the railing. “I won’t stand for it.”
“You don’t have a say.” Milo couldn’t keep the words locked on his tongue, the sound of them close to savagery.
“The hell I don’t. She’s my daughter. Mine. And I won’t let some lowlife swoop in and destroy her future.”
“Mom,” Autumn wheezed. “Please don’t be this way.”
“I’m only protecting you, Autumn. Don’t you see your life has spiraled since you met him? You’re going to amount to nothing if you stay with him.”
Knives pierced his flesh, but he held the fury back.
“If that’s what it means to be with him? Then so be it.”
Autumn turned and started to drag him down the stairs.
Thank fuck, because Milo didn’t think he could stay there for a second longer.
“You’re going to regret this, Autumn,” her mother shouted. She rushed down the steps behind them. “Don’t do this. Please. If you walk away now, you’re walking away from everything. You’ll have nothing. Your bank account is gone. I’m warning you.”
Didn’t she know her daughter at all?
What she wanted from life?
Milo turned, his voice haggard and hard. “You don’t have to like me, but I love your daughter, and I will protect her, fight for her, and take care of her forever.”
Her nose curled and pained disbelief huffed from her mouth. “I doubt you know what that means.”
A tiny giggle rippled from her lips, her smile pure adoration. “I know you better than you think I do, Milo Hendricks.”