Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 132791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
There was a mouthwatering number of books about arts and music in front of me, a new Kindle—connected to the internet this time—a vibrating alarm clock, a bed shaker, sound field speakers, and a Bluetooth microphone. I also splurged on new sketchbooks and pencils.
I picked up my phone and checked if Mama answered my last message.
Lila: Are you really cutting all ties with me because I speak to my husband? Do you understand how utterly deranged that is?
The message was read, but there was no reply. It had been a week since her showdown with Tiernan, so I gathered she made her decision. I was dead to her.
With a sigh, I opened a new message bubble and texted Enzo.
Lila: How’s Mama doing?
Enzo: Still butthurt. Fuck her, though. It’s for her to work out with herself. You did nothing wrong.
Lila: It’s a huge change for her.
Enzo: Nah. It’s a huge change for YOU. If she can’t be there for you, she deserves to stew in it until she comes to her senses.
Even though I knew he was right, talking about it made tears sting my eyes.
Lila: And how’s your arm?
Enzo: Better. Even managed to rub one out yesterday.
Lila: Rub what out?
Enzo: Oops. Nothing. Is Tiernan treating you well?
I googled the meaning of rub one out. Gagged. Reopened our text window.
Lila: No complaints here.
I was downplaying it, of course. The truth was, I liked my husband. I liked our dinners. I liked his dry sense of humor and sardonic smirks and that he spooned me from behind at night just to make me practice being touched. I still couldn’t sleep at all, but at least I could be in the same vicinity with an intimidating, muscular male without recoiling.
Enzo: I still can’t believe you can talk. The amount of gossip sessions we could’ve had about our messed up family ☹.
Lila: We can always play catch up.
Enzo: Don’t worry. I have a feeling we’re about to get some fresh material soon, between Luca and Achilles.
I smiled, shaking my head. My phone vibrated, alerting me through a special app that the front door had opened. It was one of the many gadgets Tiernan had installed for me.
A moment later, my husband appeared at our bedroom door, parking his shoulder on the doorframe. For a moment, he just stared at me.
“Hi.” I smiled. He didn’t.
“Have you slept any tonight?”
“I’m fine.”
But I wasn’t.
I knew he was disgusted with the baby growing inside me, and I had a feeling he was going to find a creative way to get rid of both of us once I gave birth.
He avoided touching my belly completely when he held me at night, sticking to my shoulders, my rib cage, my waist. As if my midriff was radioactive.
My husband pushed off the doorframe, advancing toward me. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”
“News to me.”
His penetrating gaze told me he did not appreciate me lipping back.
I sighed. “Where are we going?”
It couldn’t be the OB-GYN, because I switched to someone else and booked my own appointment online, so I knew exactly when it was. The prospect of seeing Brandy again gave me the hives. And I didn’t trust myself not to bash her head against the reception desk.
“The shooting range. I’m going to teach you how to use a gun, since not knowing how to use one doesn’t stop you.”
My spine straightened. His words from our wedding night tumbled back into the forefront of my mind.
“If you were a real Callaghan, I’d have taken you to the shooting range to work on that aim. We have a reputation to uphold.”
Did that mean I was a real Callaghan now?
I decided to get dressed and do what I was told for once. I made my way to the walk-in closet in my old bedroom, and Tiernan followed me. We both stopped in front of my messy shelves. When I gave him an annoyed look, he explained, “Can’t wear any frilly pink dresses or tutu skirts. Go for comfy jeans and a tee.”
“Got it. Would you like to watch me put them on?” I asked sarcastically, since he wouldn’t budge.
It was so liberating. Being sassy and daring and…me. Being me. I spent my entire life wondering who I truly was under the facade my mother made me put on. Being the girl she wanted me to be. And Tiernan let me find out who I truly was. As it turned out, I had a bit of a temper.
“Yes.” Simple. Unapologetic. Cold.
Nibbling on the corner of my lower lip, I considered it. He’d already seen me naked at the doctor’s office, and his gaze felt so good on my skin that just thinking about it made me want to moan.
“It’ll be good practice for you. If you ever want to try sex.” He slipped his hands into his front pockets.