Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
He’d been furious when he’d learned that they all liked her. Mostly because he’d thought he would never be able to make a move. That whole stepbrother-stepsister taboo thing.
But after they’d all cooled off, it had been Quaid who had suggested sharing her. He’d pointed out to Slade that they’d already been teenagers when they met. That being attracted to his stepsister didn’t mean he was a degenerate.
Still, he wasn’t sure he would have been comfortable making a move until his father and her mother had decided to separate.
That cleared the path.
He wasn’t going to let her get away.
The guy, who he assumed was her boss, came to a sudden stop, giving Rock a confused look. That confusion soon turned into a deep, dark rage. Suddenly, he burst out into Italian. Everyone turned to stare as he exploded, his arms firing into the air, his face turning red.
“Uh-oh,” Indie said.
Slade moved up behind her, wrapping an arm around her gently as he tugged her back several steps.
He needed to get her away from the crazy guy.
Suddenly the guy stopped. He stepped around Rock so he could stare at where Slade held Indie.
“Let her go.”
Slade raised his eyebrows. “Nope.”
“Oh God,” Indie muttered.
The guy stepped forward and Rock held a hand up, catching him in the middle of his chest.
“Let her go right now!” he demanded.
“Why would I do that?” Slade drawled. “When she belongs to me.”
“Oh hell,” Indie muttered.
Fuck.
He probably shouldn’t be egging this guy on when it was likely causing Indie stress.
“Are you the one that beat her?” the guy roared.
The whole room was silent, waiting for Slade’s reply. Anger filled him, taking him over. He’d always been like this. Quick to anger.
Then Indie placed her hand on his arm and the anger started to fade.
“Breathe,” she told him. “He doesn’t mean any insult. He’s just looking out for me.”
Yeah? Where was he when Billy was fucking beating her?
Where were you?
Fuck you, inner voice.
This was more than just him looking out for her.
This guy was into her. Yet he’d let her work on her feet all day long while she was pregnant. He’d only given her enough food for one meal. He must have seen her splitting it and taking the rest home, right?
Surely, he’d noticed her threadbare shoes and worn clothes? How pale and tired she was.
If he liked her, then he should have been taking care of her.
And you should have been here for her. You should have known what she was going through.
Yeah.
He should have.
“I think we should all go into the staff room,” Indie said hastily. “Let all of these people finish their food in peace and quiet.”
The guy heaved for breath, then he gave a quick nod and turned, walking away.
Indie turned, and reaching up, cupped Slade’s face between her hands. “Please stay calm. He’s just worried about me. When I tell him who you are, he’ll calm down. Okay?”
Slade just nodded and glanced over at Rock who didn’t look any happier than he was.
“You stay next to me and Rock at all times,” he said. “You’re not alone with this guy and he doesn’t touch you.”
“Benito would never harm me,” she said.
“Those are the conditions.” Slade stared at her sternly.
“Urgh, you really are a bossy bastard,” she grumbled at him. “Fine.”
Reaching out, Rock took her hand in his and led her toward the back. Slade didn’t try to touch her again. Probably best to let her cool off.
He preferred that his balls remain attached to his body and not halfway up his throat.
Indie hadn’t realized how exhausting this would be. It was ridiculous, really.
It wasn’t like she’d done anything except walk from the car to the café.
Hide it.
If the guys realized how tired she was, they’d insist on carrying her back to the car and taking her home to bed.
And as much as she liked the idea of that, she had to talk to Benito. Plus, she wanted to convince the guys to let her do some shopping after this.
She couldn’t wear Spencer’s coat for the rest of winter. She had a bit of cash tucked away. If they took her to a charity shop she would surely be able to get a coat. Maybe she could go to a budget shop for some more panties and cheap makeup.
As she walked into the staff room, she saw Benito pacing up and down the room. He was going to give himself a heart attack at this rate.
“Benito, I’d like you to meet Rock and Slade,” she said. “These guys are . . . old friends. They aren’t my ex.”
He stilled and stared at her. “They did not do this.” He waved a hand at her appearance.
“No.”
“They didn’t leave you to work and support yourself while pregnant?”
She sighed. “A lot of women are pregnant and on their own, you know.”