Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
In fact, I don’t care what anyone in this stupid town thinks of me. I care what I think. I care what Ronan thinks. Everyone else? They can shove their opinions up their asses for all I care.
“If you’re quite done with your attitude,” Dad says in that holier-than-thou voice that makes me bristle. But I’m not the little girl he can control anymore. “We have more important matters to discuss.”
I blink at him, unable to hide my sneer. More important matters than him apparently coming to check on my safety? Something cold and icy slips through my body, dread filling me. I just know that whatever he’s about to say, it can’t be good.
“You remember Jim Morton?” he asks casually, not waiting for me to answer before he continues. “Well, his son has just returned from overseas. A fine young man, that Abe is. Comes from a good family, you know, always attends church, has a degree in law and everything.”
“Okay…” I say slowly, not understanding where he’s going with this.
“He’ll make a fine husband for you, Roxie,” Dad declares, and I freeze.
No. No. Absolutely not.
My entire life, I’ve been adamant about one thing—I don’t want a marriage like the one my parents have. They got married at twenty, had a child, built a life together—not out of love, but out of convenience. Their families were close. They lived in the same town. Both went to church. Growing up, it was evident to me that they didn’t share any real love. They tolerated each other but put on a good show in front of everyone else. Our house was always cold, and there were always shadows in my mother’s eyes that darkened when my father was in the room.
I want love. Passion. True desire.
What my dad suggests? It’s my worst fucking nightmare.
“No,” I breathe, shaking my head.
“Everything’s arranged,” my father continues, completely ignoring my protest. “It’ll be wonderful for you, Roxie. Exactly what you need. You’re such a good girl, and he’s a good man—”
“No,” I repeat, my voice shaking. But my father acts as though I’m not even talking.
“Of course, Abe would like to court you for a little while, but marriage is obviously the next step—”
“My girl won’t be marrying anyone but me.”
Ronan’s dark, gravelly voice rushes through my mind as I gasp, turning quickly to find him standing behind me, glaring daggers at Dad. I didn’t even hear him approach, didn’t even realize he’d woken up. But he’s here, standing up for me, defending me, claiming me.
“Excuse me?” Dad sputters, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping in absolute shock. It’s so satisfying to see that I can’t help the smile tugging at my mouth.
Ronan winds an arm around my waist, pulling me to him possessively. I lean into him, soaking up his steady presence, my mind spinning as my heart thuds so hard in my chest I think it might break free.
“You heard me,” Ronan says, his voice as steady as his body against mine.
“My daughter is not your girl, she’s not your anything!” Dad yells, his face turning purple as rage overrides his momentary shock. He points a finger at Ronan, fury radiating off him. “I don’t know what hole you crawled out of, boy, but you need to learn some respect! Step away from my daughter right this instant or—”
“Or what?” Ronan asks, sounding genuinely curious. I slap my hand over my mouth to try to muffle my laughter, feeling giddy with amusement at their argument.
It shouldn’t be funny, but I can’t help it. All my emotions are a big jumble in my stomach, and I can’t control them anymore. I’m angry, furious really, at my dad for thinking he can just marry off to whoever’s most convenient. I’m in shock at Ronan’s declaration that the only person I’ll be marrying is him.
There’s a warm, fuzzy feeling wrapping around my heart at the determination he has in standing up to Dad, the way he doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated by him. Then again, why would he be? He didn’t grow up here and he never had to be squashed under Dad’s thumb the way I have been. Ronan is a law unto himself, and now he’s determined to protect me.
Oh God, I love him.
The realization hits me like a physical shove, and I rock back on my feet a little. Logic tells me it’s far too fast to feel that, but logic has nothing on my heart. Ronan swept into this town like the storm, and I want him to carry me away.
Dad doesn’t have an answer to Ronan’s question, standing in the doorway with his mouth gaping open and closed like a goldfish out of water.
“You cannot just … just … steal my daughter!” he finally manages to say, his pale blue gaze swinging between Ronan and me. I’ve seen Dad angry before, but I’ve never seen him so … powerless.