Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
“Now?” Roxie asks, her voice somewhere between shocked and excited.
“Now,” I agree, smirking as she scampers away to grab whatever stuff she has here.
Minutes later, we’re in my car. Roxie gives me directions to her parents’ house, just around the corner, but when I pull up outside, she makes no move to get out of the car.
“Look at me, sunflower,” I demand, and she does, nervousness written all over her gorgeous face. I reach across the center console and squeeze her thigh. “I won’t let anyone take your life away from you. Whatever he says, he can’t control you anymore. I swear to you, Roxie, I’ll make sure you get every fucking thing you ever want in life, you hear me?”
In answer, Roxie shuffles to face me, leaning over to kiss me deeply before pulling away and giving me a sharp nod. “I’m ready.”
I slide out of the car and walk around, opening her door for her. When she gets out, I take her hand, wanting her to remember she’s not alone anymore.
Roxie knocks on the door, and seconds later, a familiar face opens it.
“Dad,” Roxie greets, voice strained.
“Ah, Roxie, perfect timing!” her father announces, completely ignoring my entire existence as he plasters a fake ass smile on his wrinkled face.
“What? Why?” Roxie asks, as confused as I am about what the fuck he’s on about.
“Come in, come in.” Her father ushers her in, glaring at me when I refuse to drop her hand and barge in behind her. I offer him a smile in return, and he looks away, making me grin wider.
Other voices ring through the air as the front door closes behind us, and suspicion curls in my gut. I tighten my hold on Roxie, keeping her close.
“Dad, who—”
“Roxie, you remember Abe, don’t you?” the pastor cuts in as we turn the corner to what’s clearly the living room. A man rises from the sofa, and I analyze him. He’s nearly as tall as me and muscular, but I bet my ass he’s never been in a fight before. He has that gym boy look, the kind who likes to brag about how much they bench but probably can’t throw a punch without breaking their own thumb.
I scoff, not bothering to hide my distaste. Roxie shuffles closer to me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulder, holding Abe’s gaze.
So this is the asshole her father wants to marry her off to like she’s some possession that can be traded for connections.
“I’ve been so excited to see you properly again, Roxie,” Abe says, his gaze flicking between my girl and me. There’s uncertainty in his dark eyes that he does a shit job of hiding.
I step in front of Roxie, hiding her from view. “Don’t fucking look at her,” I snap, making Abe’s eyes widen comically. I’m too angry to find any amusement in it, though.
“Uh, who are you?” he stutters, looking at Roxie’s father as if that pathetic fucker can do anything to protect him from me.
“I’m hers,” I snarl, glaring Abe down.
“Roxie, don’t be ridiculous—” the pastor tries to say, but I talk over him.
“Let’s get one thing fucking clear,” I say, pointing a finger at Abe. “No matter what deal you’ve struck with her father, Roxie will never be yours.”
Abe shakes his head. “I’ll be a good husband to her,” he starts to say, but I lose any patience I’ve managed to cling to up to now.
I surge forward, grab Abe by his shirt, and yank him back through the front door, taking him outside. In my periphery, I see Roxie step in front of her father, stopping him from following me.
I slam Abe against the side of the house, grinning in satisfaction when he makes an oof noise as the air leaves his lungs.
“What the fuck man? Get off me!” Abe yells, shoving me away.
He’s strong, I’ll give him that, but I’m stronger. If there’s one thing prison did for me, it’s make me fitter than I’ve ever been. He throws a shit punch that I easily dodge before raising my fist to pop him in the jaw. He reels, and I pin him back against the house, holding him still by pressing my weight against him.
“Stay the fuck away from my girl if you want to live to see another day,” I threaten, my face so close to his I can see sweat beading on his brow.
“Stay out of it,” Abe counters, struggling in my grip. “This has nothing to do with you.”
“That’s where you’re mistaken,” I growl. “She has nothing to do with you. She’s not a fucking pawn you can trade for. She deserves far better than this shitty town and her shitty father and some pathetic, shitty husband.”
“What—”
“Here’s what you’re going to do, Abe,” I instruct, my voice as hard as my grip on him. “You’re going to walk your ass back in that house, tell her father the deal’s off and you’ve changed your mind, then walk back out. And if I ever see you around my girl again, I won’t be nearly as kind as I have been today.”