Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
He sat on the bed and grasped hold of her chin, tilting her head back.
“How I choose to spend my money is up to me. It is not for you to worry about.” He released her lip from between her teeth. “Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Cate repeated.
45
Aknock on the bedroom door made Cate tense as she sat on Ethan’s lap.
“It’s probably Rhodes,” he soothed. “He and Seth arrived home a few minutes ago. I sent him a text before to let him know there was an incident with Samantha.” And to ask him to turn off the grill and oven.
“Ethan? Cate?” Rhodes asked. “You guys in there?
“Come in,” she called out.
He walked in, closing the door behind him. Moving toward her, he stopped about a foot away and crouched down.
“Hey, honey. What happened? How are you?”
Lord. She must look bad. Rhodes was speaking to her like he thought she might break at any moment. She swiped at her cheeks.
“Do I look like a mess?” she whispered to Ethan.
“The prettiest mess I’ve ever seen.”
That didn’t make it any better. He reached over and grabbed a few tissues, but when she went to take them from him, he held them back.
“Let me.” He carefully wiped her face clean. It was a bit embarrassing in front of her brother, but it was also so caring.
“What’s happened?” Rhodes asked.
Cate let out a breath before she explained finding Samantha in her bedroom and what she’d said. Rhodes’ face tightened. She knew her brother.
He was angry.
“I’m so sorry that Samantha was in here.” He stood and started to pace. “Did she tell you what she was doing in here?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Ethan said sharply. “She has no business being in here.”
Cate jolted at the sharpness in his tone.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you. I promise.”
She knew that. She guessed she was feeling more delicate than she’d thought.
“I know. Sorry.”
He lightly squeezed her thigh. “What did I tell you about that word?”
Oh.
Uh-oh.
She leaned back to see him giving her a stern look.
“Cate?” Rhodes said quietly.
Shoot. How could she forget that her brother was there?
“Sorry,” she said.
Another squeeze.
Hey, that wasn’t fair! That was her fault for not paying attention to Rhodes.
“She said that she thought I should move out and give you and her the main suite. Something about how she lived here now and soon this house would be hers too.”
Rhodes’ face tightened. “Yeah, that’s not happening. You know that, right, Cate? I would never ask you to leave your room, certainly not your closet. And this is not going to be her house.”
She’d kind of known that. But it was nice to hear it from him.
“She was about to open my closet. If she’d seen inside . . .”
“I know, honey.” Rhodes placed his hand on her back. “I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Only, isn’t she right? This is your house. Shouldn’t you have this suite? I could move into your room.”
Oh God.
The thought of all that change made her break out in a sweat. She couldn’t imagine having to change rooms. Not having her closet . . . panic was starting to tighten her chest.
“Hey, no. Cate. Stop. Turn back, please.” Rhodes firmed his voice as he said her name.
She turned to look at him.
“You are not moving. No one is taking this suite from you. I would never take away your safe place.”
Cate nodded. “Sorry. I know you wouldn’t.”
Another squeeze on her thigh. This time, it helped clear out all the pressure in her head. And she started to breathe easier.
“Do you want me to do anything? Stay with you? Get some food? A drink?” Rhodes asked.
“I’ll get everything, thanks,” Ethan said. “You’ve got someone else to deal with.”
“Yes, and I’m trying to put it off.” Rhodes groaned.
“I’m sorry I’m making things difficult. I could go to the vacation house,” she offered.
“You don’t need to go anywhere,” Rhodes said. “You are not the problem. And stop saying sorry.”
“That’s what I’m always telling her,” Ethan said.
She bit off her last sorry. They were right. This wasn’t her fault. This was on Samantha.
“I just . . . I feel like I can’t tell her to leave while this asshole is out there. It’s my fault she’s being targeted.” Rhodes ran his hand over his face.
Ethan was tense, and she wondered what he was thinking.
“Let me know if you need anything.” Rhodes leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“I don’t envy him, having to deal with that witch,” Ethan muttered once Rhodes was gone.
Neither did she.
“Now, you need to rest for a bit. And you need to drink some water.” Ethan laid her back on the bed, pulling the cushions so they were on either side of her.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t want my baby to roll off the bed while I’m getting her an outfit to wear.”