Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“All I’m trying to do is survive, to make it through another day.”
Levi gives me a half-hearted smile. “I know none of this is what you wanted, and maybe you might have wished he killed you instead of spared you. I don’t really know. What I do know is that loyalty and protecting those he cares about are the most important things to him. And for what it’s worth, I think he’s actually trying to keep you safe. Even if the way he’s doing it is a little bit twisted.”
“Safe. Is that what you call this?”
“No. I call it exactly what you did earlier… survival.” Levi signals for a third round, and this time, the bartender looks at him skeptically before pouring. “And sometimes survival and protection look the same. It’s like locking the door to your house to keep the rest of the world outside, even if it means you can never leave. No matter what you think, it’s better than death, because we both know you aren’t ready to die.”
The third shot goes down easier than the first two. The world is starting to soften around the edges, and the constant tension in my shoulders finally begins to ease.
“I get that. I understand why he did it.” I hear myself say, and I’m not sure if it’s the whiskey or the fact that Levi actually seems to care. “It just annoys me that everyone thinks I chose this. That all they see when they look at me is the girl who fell in love with Calder Bishop and married him. They don’t know the truth.”
“What’s the truth?”
I meet his eyes, and for a moment, I consider telling him everything. All the ways my mind and body have been torn in two since Calder took me. But no, he already knows because he helped build the lie.
“The truth is complicated,” I say instead.
“Yeah.” He nods slowly. “It usually is.”
The bartender slides one more shot toward each of us without being asked.
Levi grins at her. “You’re my favorite person right now, Deb.”
“Is that you or the whiskey talking?”
“Me, of course.” He winks.
“I’m sure. Just don’t go telling your daddy I’m getting you drunk before you have to go out there and ride that bull.”
We take the fourth shot, and this time, I definitely feel it. The world tilts slightly, everything going warm and fuzzy. I haven’t eaten much today, and four shots of top-shelf whiskey on an empty stomach is hitting me hard.
“Easy there.” Levi steadies me with a hand on my elbow. “I don’t need you face-planting before I make my ride.”
“I’m fine.” Even though I’m definitely not fine. I’m tipsy.
“You might be able to sling those shots back, but you can’t outdrink me. You’re definitely a lightweight,” he says, but there’s no judgment in it. Just amusement. “Come on, let’s get some water in you before my brother comes back and murders me for corrupting his wife.”
He orders a bottle of water and presses it into my hands the moment it arrives. I drink greedily, the cool liquid helping to clear my foggy mind. Around us, the rodeo continues with announcements, cheering, and the constant buzz of crowd noise.
“Ya know, I’m glad my brother married you,” Levi says out of the blue.
“Well, I’m glad we made one person happy with our marriage.”
“Don’t be like that.” He looks at me with surprising sincerity. “I just mean I’m glad he has someone like you. To hold him accountable and keep him in line. You’re exactly the type of woman he needs.”
“If only it didn’t come as a sacrifice to my personal autonomy.” I don’t really mean it.
He glances toward the grandstand, then back to me. “It’s not all flowers and butterflies, that’s for sure. But you’re not alone in this. You’ve got me. And Sawyer, once you get to know him. Kade too, even if he acts like a sanctimonious douche. We’re not like our father despite his best efforts to make us.”
The words settle over me like a blanket, unexpected comfort in the middle of chaos.
Before I can respond, I spot Calder making his way through the crowd toward us. He’s wearing a murderous expression that makes me tremble.
“Shit,” Levi mutters. “Here comes the fun police.”
Calder reaches us, and his icy-blue eyes flick back and forth between Levi and me, taking in the empty shot glasses on the bar, the flush in my cheeks, and the way I’m swaying slightly.
“What the hell is this?” His voice is dangerously quiet.
“Relax,” Levi says, all easy charm again. “I was just keeping your wife company while you were off doing whatever mysterious business you were doing. Bought her a couple of drinks. You know, being a good brother.”
“What’s a couple of drinks?” Calder’s gaze fixes on me.
“Four,” I say, lifting my chin. “And I’m fine.”