Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“No, you’re staying home.”
“Sven…”
Before she can say anything, I roll her to her back, smooth her hair out of her face, and settle my hands under her jaw. “I need to know you’re safe. This isn’t something that’s up for debate. Until I’ve discussed what happened yesterday with Zack, Lane, and Teo and get their feedback about the situation, I’m not willing to let you step foot in the club.”
“I can take care of myself,” she growls, and I drop a kiss to her pouty lips then lean back and grin.
“I didn’t say you couldn’t take care of yourself, Maggie. I know you’re a fighter.” I smile then shake my head. “I don’t want you to have to fight, and I don’t want something to happen to you that I can prevent. Last night, you were drugged. I know we’re good now, but this situation could have been completely different had I not shown up at the club when I did.” My gut twists and I pull in a breath. “I fucking hate thinking about it like this, baby, but I took you when you didn’t know what you were doing.”
“Sven,” she whispers, bringing her hand up running her fingers along my jaw.
Turning my head, I press a kiss to her palm. “It’s true, baby. Fucked up, but true.”
“Okay, I’ll stay home,” she agrees, and I can tell she doesn’t want to, but is doing it for me.
“Good, now kiss me. I gotta shower,” I tell her, watching her eyes heat in a way that makes me groan and my cock grow hard once more. Pulling her toward me, I wrap a fist in her hair and force her head to the side, kissing her until she’s breathing heavy and clawing at my chest. Slowing down, I pull away with once last nibble to her lips. “While I’m gone, I want you thinking about what I’m going to do to you when I get home,” I growl, pulling her breast into my mouth, leaving another hickey before reluctantly leaving her in bed.
*
As soon as I walk through the door of the club, all eyes come to me. Seeing the concern on the faces of my employees, I walk toward their small huddle around the bar.
“Where’s Maggie?” Eva asks, looking toward the door.
“Home, she won’t be in today,” I tell her, and her hands wring together in front of her as her eyes fill with worry when they lift to meet mine.
“I called, but she didn’t answer,” she whispers.
“She was getting in the shower when I left. I’m sure she’ll call you back when she checks her phone,” I assure, not positive if I’m lying. I know Maggie wants to believe Eva is her friend, but after last night, she has doubts about who she can trust. And as fucked up as it is, that works for me. Between what happened with Maggie and things coming to a head with Paulie and his crew, the list of people I know I can trust is small, and growing smaller by the second.
“If she doesn’t, will you tell her I’m worried about her?” she asks, straightening her shoulders.
“I’ll let her know,” I mutter then look at Zack, Teo, and Lane. “We need to talk,” I tell them, leaving the bar, knowing they’re following without looking. Getting to my office, I slip off my jacket and toss it on the couch then wait for all of them to enter. As soon as the door is closed, the vibe in the room changes.
“Is Maggie okay?” Lane asks first, breaking the silence. Studying him, I notice his eyes are full of worry, a worry that matches Zack’s and Teo’s. My woman has made an impression with these guys, and I know the concern I see is out of care for her, but the jealousy in the pit of my stomach still bubbles to the surface.
“She’s home in our bed, resting,” I tell him, letting the words speak for themselves.
“Fucking told you,” Teo mutters, looking at Lane and Zack.
“Told them what?” I question, crossing my arms over my chest and raising a brow.
“You said our bed, meaning a bed you share. I told these fucks that you and her were together. I knew.” He grins then mutters, “You fucks owe me a hundred each.”
Pressing my fingers to the bridge of my nose, I let out a breath then lift my eyes to Teo and narrow them. “As entertaining as it is to know you’re betting on my relationship, we need to talk about Maggie and what happened,” I growl, and the energy in the room instantly shifts once more. “I looked over the tapes and didn’t come across anything out of the ordinary. I know from the timestamp that Maggie got to the bar a little after one, and she didn’t move from her seat until I came in.”