Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
In fact, other than having a hard-as-fuck dick because the soft, sweet woman of my fantasies is just a few feet away, I feel fine.
“He thinks you’re dead.”
That’s great news for me. “So he’ll get brazen. One less competitor, right? See if you can get him to move on the next part of his operation so we can figure out what the fuck is happening.”
“Actually, I should have a lot of new information soon. You lie low until then, ’k? And hey, thanks for not making me mourn you just yet.”
“Nah. I wouldn’t let a punk like Paul Carboni off me.” Especially not if I have any chance with Havana.
But there are complications I need to deal with before we have any chance of sharing a future.
“I gotta go,” Ridge mutters hurriedly, like he’s worried someone is listening. “I’ll call when I can.”
“Stay safe.”
My youngest brother tells me to do the same, then hangs up.
I’m worried like hell for Havana’s safety. I can watch over her for now. But we can’t stay here long. I need to see where her head—and her heart—are at, then make some decisions.
Other questions niggle at the back of my brain. How did Paul know where to find me tonight? He shouldn’t have been able to, and I hope like hell he can’t guess why I was in that strip mall. But in case he knows, Havana needs to lie low with me until this shit blows over.
But if she’s changed her mind about me—and she should—how am I going to keep my hands off of her?
Cursing under my breath, I dial my son. I’m worried about him, too. He’s spent too much time with me and his uncles. He’s turning out just like us.
Ethan picks up right away. “Dad, you okay?”
“Fine. There are people after me. You need to worry about your own hide.”
“Already taking precautions, I promise.”
“Good. Now what the fuck were you thinking, pawning me off on Havana? You put her in danger, and you know it.”
“It was a calculated risk. That’s why I gave you two someplace secluded to go. You have unresolved shit, and you’ve been making some reckless fucking decisions since you sent her away. Fix it.”
I should berate Ethan for his language and taking this choice out of my hands. But he learned from me, and he’s not wrong. Hell, maybe he’s even done me a favor, except…
“Son, you know there’s only one way for me to fix this for good, and it will hurt you.” Not that it will stop me from claiming Havana if she still feels about me the way she did the morning I kissed her.
“It won’t,” Ethan assures. “I’m not in love with her. I’m not even interested anymore.”
Really? I sigh. “I can’t say the same.”
He laughs. “I knew you’d caught feelings for Havana. It’s mutual. Go get her. You deserve to be happy after Mom fucked you over a hundred ways. She’s been weighing you down since you were sixteen. If Havana makes you happy, I’m cool with it.”
Damn, when did my kid go from the gangly, defiant boy who wanted to blame me for every fucking thing wrong in his life to the sharp, rational man I’m talking to now? I’m almost choked with pride. “Thanks.”
“Totally. Besides, if you marry Havana, I’ll have the hottest stepmom ever.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Why, do you want me to be less than honest?”
“I want you to get your thoughts out of her panties.”
That’s hard for me to say. I’m ninety-percent sure he once had way more than his thoughts in them. Hell, he probably popped her cherry. I try like hell not to be jealous. But I know my son. He started getting regular ass a few years ago, and he’s never without now. I don’t care as long as he’s careful and doesn’t repeat my teenage pregnancy fiasco.
Or I didn’t care until Havana.
“Actually, they’re in someone else’s, so can we cut this chat short? A friend’s older sister called me for some…company. She’s expecting me in an hour.”
“You have a booty call?”
“Yep, and I’d rather not show up covered in your blood.”
That both fills me with relief and sobers me up. “Sure. Just one more thing… We’re going to need some supplies here.”
“I figured. I already started a short list, but text me what else you need. I’ll have stuff delivered before noon tomorrow. Can you last until then?”
I don’t know what Havana and I will eat, but if we fall into bed together, will either of us care? “We’ll manage.”
Ethan laughs. “I’m sure you’ll think of some way to pass the time.”
Then he hangs up, and I’m free to tell Havana what’s on my mind. What’s in my heart. What I hope for our future. A glance at the clock on the wall tells me I still have ninety minutes left of her birthday to make it the best I can. I’m not wasting another minute.