Total pages in book: 9
Estimated words: 8854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 44(@200wpm)___ 35(@250wpm)___ 30(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 8854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 44(@200wpm)___ 35(@250wpm)___ 30(@300wpm)
Ryan checks the base. “You need more sand in the bucket, Jodi.”
The tree shudders.
Then steadies.
I exhale slowly. “I have some more sand by the front door.”
Ryan is off to the front door before I finish, returning moments later with a bag of sand on his shoulder.
“I’m taking the top,” Jesse declares, loud and confident, like his tone and volume might change everyone’s mind.
“It’ll topple under the weight of your fucking ego,” Drew mutters.
“You’re lucky you’re a mate.”
“Am I?”
“No one let Drew near any tinsel or string lights,” Jesse says, nailing him in place with a disgruntled glare. “He likes tying women up.”
Everyone looks at me, and I laugh, nervous.
“Don’t we all,” James murmurs, neck craned to watch Ryan pouring more sand in the bucket.
I notice attention suddenly falls to Theo, who’s still keeping his distance from everyone else. “It’s a necessity,” he says, sharp. “Back to the tree.”
“Speaking of Theo,” Jude picks up his bauble and studies it, smiling mildly. “Where’s your dog?”
“In the garden.” I go to the doors and look out into the darkness, seeing his collar glowing as he snuffles his way around the lawn.
“Let him in,” Jake joins me. “I want to meet him.”
I laugh. “No, no, that’s not a good idea.”
“Why?”
“He won’t like you.” They all withdraw, offended. I know what they’re thinking. Everyone likes them. Except, maybe, each other.
“He’s protective,” I go on, pointing at the portrait of him on the wall. “There he is. Theo.”
“Handsome dog,” Johnny murmurs, getting close and inspecting the painting. “I’m quite sure I have never encountered a dog before that presents in appearance like this specimen.”
“That’s because they weren’t bred until the late eighteen hundreds,” I tell him, proud, admiring my boy. “You were dead by then.”
He retreats, and low laughter fills the room. “We’re getting distracted,” I say, getting back to the matter at hand. “The top spot. The star, if you will.”
“Is mine,” Jesse interjects. “Let’s just save ourselves this pointless back and forth. I’m taking the top.”
“You don’t take it, you earn it,” Danny replies, bored.
“I’ve been earning it for thirteen years, Black. You’ve been around for four. Wind your neck in.”
Danny gives Jesse a look I’m quite sure I don’t like, and when he reaches for the back of his trousers, I hold my breath. Oh no. He slowly pulls out his gun and rests it on the counter in front of him.
Jesse laughs. It’s not in humour. He’s insulted. “That’s below the belt.” He points my way. “She didn’t give me a weapon.”
Indignant, I look at him in disgust. “Not strictly true. I gave you many weapons. Just not ones in the shape of guns.” I shake my head in despair and give my attention to Danny. “Put the gun away.”
He sighs but does as he’s told. Thank God. I blow my cheeks out, mentally figuring out how I’m going to put an end to this dispute. I’ve actually got no idea.
“Violence won’t solve this,” Dec rakes a hand through his hair, looking as exasperated as me.
“No, but it’ll shut The Lord of the Sex Manor up,” Danny mutters, flicking his eyes to me when I tilt my head in further warning. “Sorry.” He forces a smile that looks more like a grimace.
“Who’s the pussy now?” Jesse asks, cocky. Because he knows I won’t let Danny kill him.
“You talk too much for a man who thinks he’s untouchable,” James folds his arms over his big chest, resting back against the island.
“Shut up, Kelly,” Jesse hisses, “or I’ll have Ava redecorate the tree with your pride.”
“This is getting embarrassing,” Brad breathes.
“Yeah, I agree.” Jesse waves a hands at my unlawful men. “Three deadly killers silenced by their creator.”
Oh for the love of all things alpha. “Enough,” I snap. Every man in the room stands taller. Wary.
“She’s right.” Danny exhales, dragging a palm down his face. “And if anyone’s at the top, it’s not the loudest in the room.”
“Says the man who solves problems with bullets,” Jack shakes his head, in disbelief I think.
“They work,”
“I have a request.” Miller walks further into the room, his eyes virtually twitching in his head in an effort not to look at the crumbs. My special one. Not exactly stable, but certainly more reasonable. Kind of. Fuck, not at all. I go to the sink and grab the cloth, frantically wiping the worktops down, hoping to calm him down. “The top should go to the man women lose themselves to,” he declares.
“That rules you out, pretty boy,” Theo mumbles, and I pause mid-swipe of my cloth, looking at him in shock.
“And you,” Miller retorts. “He who can’t be touched.”
I slump over the worktop, exhausted, and reach for my wine. I’m going to need another crate at this rate.
“You’re all wrong.” Jake declares.
“Oh?” Various men murmur.
“The top belongs to the man who would burn the tree down if anyone touches her.” He frowns. Looks left and right, just as the others start flicking looks to each other too.