Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Tristan perked up. “I mean I never mind a show.” He must have heard her uncle growl because his hands came up in defeat. “I will be happy in a bunk. Jeez, for lifestylers we’re all a little prissy, don’t you think?”
He stood and they started to break up.
Her uncle looked her way. “You know what you’re doing?”
“Nope. Not in any way,” she admitted.
“But you’re still going to do it,” her uncle said with a sigh. “He’s in trouble.”
“I know.” She leaned back against him. “We both know we’re on a timer. We’re going to enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not a big deal.”
The sex. While it lasted. A pit opened in her gut because she was talking like he was a sex toy she had to enjoy until he was taken away from her when she knew deep down he was everything. Every fucking thing.
This wasn’t some grand affair she would look back on with fondness when she found her true love.
He was her true love.
“Yeah, we’re going to enjoy it.” Zach said the words but there was a deep well in his tone. Sorrow. Regret.
Her uncle stepped back. “Fine. But I’d like a word alone with Zach first.”
“You don’t need to…” Devi began.
Zach released her. “Of course. Devi, I’ll be there in a minute. Go and get yourself settled.”
Well, that was an order. But she did understand. Zach cared about her uncle. He viewed Ian Taggart as the father figure he never had.
She really wanted to stay for that talk.
Tasha came over and took her hand. “Come on. I’ll help you set up. I’ve been here before. It’s comfy. Nell lets us use this place from time to time. It’s way better than having to hide out in a hotel.”
Kenzie moved in behind her. “I’ll go, too.”
Oh, crap. They were going to have a talk.
She looked back, but Zach wasn’t saving her this time.
Chapter Fourteen
Big Tag crossed to the bar and poured out another glass. Two fingers of amber liquid that if this Henry guy bought, it was likely locally sourced and hadn’t harmed the environment in any way.
Zach took it.
“Tristan, go away,” Big Tag said flatly.
Tristan groaned but stood. “I don’t get to watch any of the drama. TJ, hey man, tell me what happened when Kala found out Lucy was Zach’s contact. Like did things explode?”
TJ followed him out. “No, but she did name this rude donkey after Kala, and that did not go well. Also, did you know geese are really mean?”
They disappeared down the hall.
Henry gestured his daughter’s way. “You’re not going to join in on the girl talk? I suspect they’re about to corner Devi.”
Lucy sighed as she stood and grabbed her bag. “I would make Kala uncomfortable, and I’ve pushed her enough for tonight. We need her ready for tomorrow, so I’ll forgo the doomed love story portion of the evening. I don’t get it. No guy is worth all of this. No offense, Zach.”
Well, she was always honest with him. About things that weren’t her real name or who she was actually working for. “None taken.”
Henry put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “One day you are going to meet someone who sets you on your ass, daughter, and I’m going to be here for it. Let’s go call your mom. She should be in the air by now and ready to give us a heinous lecture on air travel.”
Lucy groaned and walked out with her dad.
Leaving him alone with Big Tag.
“What the fuck, Zach?” Ian said with a shake of his head.
Oh, that could mean so many things. He was surprised at how heavy he felt. Earlier, he’d been light and almost happy because things felt so fucking right between him and Devi. Earlier he’d thought he still had a few weeks with her. Things were moving along with whatever Huisman’s plans were, but he thought he had a little time.
He took a sip of the whiskey. He wouldn’t ask for a second glass because despite Devi’s insistence that they were only having sex, he wanted to remember every second he spent with her. Every touch. Every caress.
Every single thing except the fact that she didn’t love him.
Her words sat on his chest so he couldn’t quite breathe right. And yet he knew it was good. It was good that she didn’t love him since he wasn’t going to be able to stick around to protect and love her. She was being smart. She was salvaging her heart in a way he couldn’t.
It hurt. It made him ache in a way he never thought he would.
But he wouldn’t let it stop him. He would still go into that room with her and be her Dom for as long as he could.
“Which fuck are we talking about? The whole ‘I lied to the team’ fuck? The ‘I got us caught by Huisman’ fuck? Or the fuck where I’m the wanted outlaw sleeping with your niece?”