Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
“It’s over?” I ask, stunned.
“You’re sure?” Reese asks.
“Yes,” Reid states. “Very sure.”
“Reid kicked ass,” Gabe interjects. “He was angry when we left and he made that work.”
Reid and I have been so broken and he did this for me. He fought for me. I round the island and he turns to face me. I don’t give him time to back away. I fling my arms around him and hug him, and to my surprise, he holds me and not gently. He holds on like he was really afraid of losing me and he’s been lost to me for so long, that I actually start to cry.
Debbie gave me a gift. She gave me my brother back.
Chapter seventy-eight
Cat
We’re still in the kitchen and I’ve just finished hugging Reid and Gabe to thank them for helping us end this Debbie nightmare when the doorbell rings. Reese heads to the door to answer it and when I round the island Reid looks at me. “Why do you look different?” he asks.
“You do look different,” Gabe comments. “New hair or something.”
Just a baby growing in my belly, I think, shocked that my brothers notice the change. “You two are just actually looking at me for once.”
“Ouch,” Gabe says. “I don’t deserve that, but Reid does.”
Reese re-enters the kitchen with Royce on his heels. “Royce has more news,” Reese announces, joining me on the opposite side of the island, his hand settling on my lower back.
“Our men were watching the motel Debbie’s cohort, Wilson Moore, has been hiding out in,” Royce states. “He ordered pizza and got his ass kicked instead. My man probably saved his life. He’s in an ambulance on the way to the ER now. He’s not going to be a problem in the immediate future.”
“Really,” Gabe says dryly. “How inconvenient for him.”
Royce’s gaze narrows on Gabe. “And convenient for us?”
His question reeks of accusations I don’t understand and I study the two of them, trying to read their exchange more clearly.
“I’m not sorry the bastard got his ass beat,” Reid replies before Gabe can. “He was stalking my sister.” He knocks on the island. “And Debbie is handled. Her parents took her out of town and now, I’m going home to drink an expensive bottle of whiskey to celebrate.”
“I’ll join you,” Gabe says, pointing at me and Reese. “You two celebrate the way married couples celebrate, but don’t tell us about it.”
My brothers then disappear out of the kitchen. “What was that?” Reese asks when the front door opens and shuts, and it’s clear Reid and Gabe have left.
“Gabe called me and asked me who the bookie was that was hunting Moore, and an hour later, he’s getting his face beat in,” Royce says. “I know he did it, and I both dislike and understand it, as contradictory as that sounds.”
“My brother did that? Gabe? He’s the nice one.”
Royce is quick to dismiss that idea. “That’s like saying Savage is the nice one because what comes out of his mouth is humorous. He’s not nice at all and neither is your brother.” He eyes Reese. “I won’t trust the Debbie situation being resolved until I have eyes on her departure. I recommend keeping security in place.”
“Agreed,” Reese confirms. “Change nothing.”
Royce nods. “Savage will stay in place with Cat.” He changes the subject. “Martha. She’s home. She’s safe. We’ll have her in court early tomorrow.” He looks between us. “Do you need anything else from me?”
“We’re good,” Reese says.
“We’re good,” I agree.
Royce inclines his head. “Then I’ll let you know if I have updates.” He pushes off the counter and exits the kitchen.
Reese turns me and pulls me between him and the counter. He waits for the door to open and close. “First thought?”
“I hate having Savage follow me around. Your first thought?”
“I hate having Savage follow you around. Second thought?”
“I think Gabe got that man beat up,” I say. “He could have gotten him killed. Your second thought?”
“The exact same as yours and I know I should have a problem with that, but, Cat, I don’t. He protected you.”
My hand flattens on his chest, and I can feel his heart thundering under my palm. “I don’t know how I feel right now. My brothers. Debbie. The beating. I just don’t know.”
He pulls me to him. “Ask me my next thought,” he orders softly.
“What’s your next thought?” I ask.
“I’m really damn tired of seeing Savage by your side.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.” He cups my backside and pulls me to him. “It is.”
“You’ve never been jealous.”
“Because I’ve never had a woman claim I made a baby with her when I didn’t. Because I know we’re solid and I damn sure know men envy me. I promise you, Savage envies me.” His mouth covers mine, his tongue licking into my mouth before he declares, “You’re mine.”