Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“Darn it!” I rose up on my toes and swiveled my head first to the right and then to the left when I didn’t spot them.
I walked as quickly as I could once I found them about a block down the sidewalk, huddled against the building. They were completely focused on each other and didn’t see me nearing them. Garret was more than able to handle anything my dad threw at him, but I wanted to be at my husband’s side when Dad dropped the hammer so we could face him down together. Except once I got there and slid my palm against Garret’s, I wanted to yank it away as I heard what my dad was saying.
“The only reason I didn’t put a stop to this ridiculous farce of a marriage was because you had me convinced it was the best way to keep her safe. Under your watchful eye. I mean, who could do it better than the owner of Hansen Security himself? But judging by what you allowed her to wear tonight, you clearly have zero control over my daughter. If I’d known how you’d choose to handle this situation, I never would have hired you in the first place. So I’m cutting your contract short and expect you to file the necessary papers to put an end to your marriage. Immediately. I’ll have my PR team figure out a way to weather the storm somehow. You’re fired.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Senator. First of all, you seem to be forgetting that I already quit. Second, you don’t have the power to kick me out of Keaton’s life. I’m her husband, and that’s not going to change.”
“Security? Hired?” I echoed softly, my stomach turning with nausea. I looked up at Garret, shaking my head, in denial of what I’d just heard. But when I saw the contrition in his eyes, I knew that what my father had said was true. “You’re one of my father’s hired goons? You married me because of him?”
“Fuck no,” Garret growled, his fingers tightening around mine.
“Then why were you at—”
I stomped my foot in frustration when he pressed his lips against mine to shut me up. “I’ll explain it all to you after I take care of your father, beautiful. I promise.”
“But—”
“Not in front of him, Keaton. After the shit he just pulled, he doesn’t deserve to be a part of our lives. My explanation is for you and you alone. He gets nothing from us.” His free hand slid between us and lightly brushed against my stomach.
At his gentle reminder of what was at stake here, I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. When that didn’t cool my temper, I counted to ten super slowly. Once I had it semi under control, I opened my eyes and nodded. “Do whatever needs to be done about him”—I waved my arm in my dad’s direction—“and then you owe me one hell of an explanation for all of this.”
“I see you’re not just dressing inappropriately now, you’re swearing, too.” My father shook his head in disappointment. “See how low your marriage to Hansen has already brought you? This is why I can’t trust you to make decisions for yourself. If you wanted to get married, you should’ve just told me, and I would’ve found you someone suitable.” He sent a scathing look Garret’s way. “If we get you a quick annulment, I might even be able to line up an appropriate match for you before the election.”
“Over my dead body,” Garret growled. He released my hand and yanked my dad up by the lapels of his tuxedo jacket. “Or better yet, yours. Because that’s exactly what you’ll be if you try to take Keaton away from me. Dead and buried somewhere nobody’ll ever be able to find the body.”
Oh wow! Did my husband really just threaten my father’s life?
“You can’t talk to me that way. I’m not scared of you.”
“You should be.” Garret leaned closer, until he was right up in my dad’s face. “I’m the head of a billion-dollar security empire. Do you really think yours would be the first body I had to hide?”
Double wow. Did the father of my unborn baby just admit to knowing where the bodies were buried because he’d put them there himself?
My dad looked as shocked as I felt as he stared up at Garret with wide eyes. His skin was pale, and a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. I didn’t recall ever seeing him scared before, but he definitely was now. My husband had apparently put the fear of death in him, and it had soothed a little of my anger. But only a teeny tiny portion of it.
“Do you understand where I’m coming from on this?”
My dad gulped and nodded frantically.