Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Again, I studied both men. “I’m not sure about this. I don’t want to be a burden or forced on anyone. And I most certainly don’t want to run from one monster straight to another.” I shook my head, though, in my heart, I knew what Dom proposed wasn’t anything like what Borris had.
“Calista,” Dom whispered, brokenly. “No. No one would ever force you into something like that. Least of all me. I only want you protected. You like Ringo. He likes you.” He shrugged, shaking his head. “It’s just our way. Our men know almost at first sight when they find the woman they want. I don’t think Ringo’s any different.”
“What about you?” I couldn’t help the question. It felt like a low blow, but I had to know. “Did you want my mom for something more than a passing fling?”
Dom lowered his head, then leaned back to stare at the ceiling, his head resting on the back of the chair. “Yeah, honey. I did. I intended to marry her, then my life went all to shit and back. The last time I met up with her was when I made her memorize the map to this place from Riviera Beach. I spent the entire night with her. Makin’ sure she never forgot the directions. Or me.” A small smile parted his lips as he continued to look at the ceiling. “God, I loved her…” His voice was nearly a whisper now. “I had to keep her safe and the only way to do that was to leave her alone. I admit, I was hurt she gave in as easily as she did. Looking back, she probably knew she was pregnant, was afraid to be near me, and used my lesson as the excuse she needed to forget I existed. Lord knew I scared her half to death to make an impression on her. I wanted her with me more than anything other than wanting to keep her safe. So I didn’t push her. Thinkin’ now that was the exact wrong thing to do.”
“You were just trying to do what you thought was right.” I found myself believing my words. They weren’t just something I was saying to make him -- and myself -- feel better. Dom was exactly the type of man to sacrifice himself to keep his family safe. I sighed. “What if we hate each other?”
“Then I kick his ass and he changes his attitude.” I thought he was only half joking.
I turned to study Ringo. He was still draped lazily on the couch. The smirk on his face was sexy as fuck, and I wanted to know what those lips felt like on mine.
“Even if it looks like Dom’s just selling you to the highest bidder, you know this is different.” Ringo’s expression was deceptive. On the one hand, he looked relaxed and arrogant. But, underneath the surface, there was a vulnerability he tried to bury deep. I had to really study him to see even a glimmer. It was there, though. The expectation that I’d reject him.
‘Course, I didn’t know the guy. Maybe I was reading way more into it than I should.
Lord knew refusing this would be the smart thing to do. Unfortunately, I’d never been accused of being smart.
“Maybe,” I conceded. “I still think I should have the choice to not be claimed by anyone.”
“Sorry, honey,” Dom said with a grin. “I want you safe. To ensure that, I want my best man on you. That’s Ringo. Sure, he could still do the job and not make any kind of claim on you. But he and I both know that you’ll end up sleeping with him.” He held up a hand to stave off an argument. “No reflection on either of you. Just saying I can see he’s got it for you, and you’re certainly interested in him. He wouldn’t want other men around you and would turn into a grouch when some of our brothers made a play for you, because he’d still be responsible for your safety and would have to be with you. It would all turn into a ghastly mess. People might even end up dying.” Dom looked smug. Like he knew there was no way I’d refuse him. We both knew I’d protest but I’d give in eventually.
Mainly because he was right. If I spent much time in Ringo’s presence, if he showed the least bit of interest in me, I’d end up in his bed. I might be a virgin, but I knew that about myself. Besides, I’d rather give myself to a man I wanted -- no matter what happened later -- than have it sold or taken from me.
“If I agree to this, you’re not going to kill Ringo. Right?”
Dom barked out a laugh. “No, honey.”