Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“I honestly don’t care about my family’s alliances.” I say it too fast and I instantly snap my jaw shut. I shouldn’t have let that come out. I don’t know Casey, but she’s married to the big boss. Her allegiances are squarely with the Whelans. Any suggestion that I’m not necessarily a team player won’t go over with her.
I expect a rebuke, but there’s only more sympathy. “That doesn’t change much, does it? You’ll find a way to live with this. I can’t help you, but I can try to be your friend if you’ll let me.”
I nod slowly. “I’d like that,” I say even though I don’t trust her yet. She seems nice, but I’ve learned a hundred times over the years that looks can sure as hell be deceiving.
“Good. We’ll start there.” She beams at me and I try to relax, but I’m simmering on the inside. None of this is fair and I wish there was some way I could get out of it. I’d give almost anything to have my life back. I was just starting to find my own way, starting to get a little independence from my family, and now suddenly they’re selling me like the pawn I’ve always been.
The door to the apartment opens. I look over in surprise as Finn comes striding into the room. He stops, an aloof, surprised smile on his face as he looks straight through me and at Casey.
“What are you doing in here? Declan send you to check up on me?”
She breezily goes over and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “Not at all. I was actually here to check up on her.” She gives me a meaningful look.
Finn’s smile doesn’t change, but I notice a tension in his shoulders. “I see you met my future wife.”
I grimace and look down. I don’t like those words, future wife.
“You’re being nice, right? Not working her too hard?”
“Nothing she can’t handle.”
Casey lightly punches his shoulder. “Be good, dickhead. She’s going through it right now.”
“We’re all going through it, Case. Thanks for stopping by.”
She looks like she wants to hang around, but only shoots me a last look before walking off. “Have a good night, you two!”
I wish she’d stay. Once the door clicks shut and I’m alone with Finn, his smile slips ever so slightly. The coldness underneath the smirk shines through. His eyes narrow, icy and dangerous.
“I didn’t know she’d be here,” I say quickly, trying my best to shrink into myself. I’ve seen that look a dozen times before and it never precedes anything good. I’ve learned to apologize, even if I’m not wrong, and to get very small. The more pathetic I seem, the less likely they were to hurt me. Most of the time.
Finn’s smile disappears. He cocks his head to the side. “Why would you?”
“I’m just saying. I’m sorry I was talking to her.”
There’s a long pause. Then he walks into the kitchen. I shy away from him, heart racing, hating myself for this reaction. I feel utterly wretched. Why am I so afraid right now? Why do I keep seeing their smirking faces? Why can I feel every single scar like it’s fresh?
“You can talk to whomever you want.” He pours himself some wine. “And I know you don’t control what Casey does. That woman goes where she wants whenever she wants.”
“Right. Okay.” I take a deep breath to steady myself. “Should I get to work?”
He seems surprised. “Do you want to?”
“Well, that’s what I’m here for—”
“Take the night off.” He turns toward the steps. “I’m going for a swim.” He starts to head toward the stairs. “You can join me.”
I don’t know why, but a bold thrill slams into my bloodstream. I should get out of here, except the memory of my sweaty body under his skilled hands careens into my brain at breakneck speed. It’s like my skull bounces off concrete. I’m dizzy, my pulse racing.
“No sauna,” I call out, getting to my feet. I should just go home. There’s no need for me to stick around.
But I’m marrying this guy soon. I might as well try to get to know him. It’s possible I can learn something important and maybe figure out how I can get out of this mess.
Or at the very least, figure out how I’m going to live with it.
“Your loss,” he says back.
8
CAROLINE
Islip into the water. Finn’s already in the shallow end with his wine on the edge. I gesture at the drink. “You know you shouldn’t have glass near a pool, right? You have to drain the whole thing if any gets in the water.”
“That rule only applies to people who can’t afford to hire a dozen cleaners to come solve their problems.”
“Must be nice.”
“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness is full of shit. Money buys time, and time buys happiness.”