Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
She shrugged. “I don’t blame him.” Everything he’d said was true. She’d left and she would again. Obligations and her sister’s life awaited her in Illinois. Suddenly chilled, she crossed her arms and rubbed her skin.
“Well, I do,” Zach muttered. “My life is none of his business. Although…”
She narrowed her gaze. “What?”
He leaned against the pillows. “I get where he’s coming from. Even though Dad was there for us after my biological mother left, as Asher got older, he assumed a parental role. That included creating Dirty Dare Vodka and ensuring we all invested and had money beyond what we earned in our jobs. Or trusts,” he acknowledged, knowing the wealth made Hadley uncomfortable. “Falling in love with Nikki helped soften him but sometimes the asshole in him returns.”
Hadley was unable to hold back her smile. “You are so lucky to have a family who will go to bat for you.”
“The way you do for Dani.”
She nodded.
“But who goes to bat for you?” Zach’s serious gaze held hers. She was drawn into those gorgeous indigo eyes but she didn’t want him feeling sorry for her.
“I can take care of myself.” She always had.
“I’m serious. Who else looks out for you?” he asked.
“You do.” She reached out a hand and cupped his cheek. “And I’m grateful.” Her heart beat harder in her chest, her feelings for him almost too big to hold in.
“Not what I meant.” He smiled but those eyes didn’t sparkle back. “Hadley, who will take care of you when you go home?”
She swallowed hard. “We don’t need to talk about this now.”
His gaze narrowed, his mouth opened… and apparently he wasn’t finished. “What’s back in Illinois for you?”
Was he serious? “A career. Tenure at my school. Working off student loan forgiveness? Dani has her friends. Do you need more?” There was no Zach, none of his siblings, Sheila at the bar, Maddox, all people she was coming to know and like.
He clenched his jaw before answering. “I respect that. All of it. I’m just asking you to think about how you feel being here, where you have a more fulfilling life.”
She shook her head. Her feelings didn’t matter. Reality did. “Am I supposed to send Dani home to live with my father? Assuming he doesn’t end up in prison? I’m not her legal guardian,” she said, her voice rising.
“Okay.” Zach held up both hands. “I understand. I’ll back off,” he said. “Please, just calm down. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He reached out and pulled her against him, holding her tight.
“I know you didn’t.” He just wanted something out of reach.
“And you’re right. We don’t need to get into this now. We have time,” he said, sounding sad.
She nodded.
“Now you see why Asher is so protective. So don’t be too hard on him. Your brother loves you.”
And she did too.
The realization hit her hard and tears filled her eyes. She loved him and she couldn’t keep him. All they had was now. She would never ask him to leave his family and businesses behind to move to Illinois. He was just as firmly entrenched in where he lived as she was.
“Hads? You okay?” he asked.
She covered her emotional reaction with a yawn. “Yes. Just tired.”
His eyes crinkled as he studied her with concern. “It’s been a long day. Let’s get some sleep, okay?” He held out his arms and she slid into them.
Rolling over, she snuggled in, her back to his front so he could wrap himself around her from behind. And so she didn’t have to face him and see all she had to lose.
Chapter Fifteen
A couple of days after the girls had scared Hadley to death, things had calmed down. Dani kept in touch more and was very contrite. It wasn’t typical but she obviously realized how badly they had screwed up.
It was around eleven a.m. and Zach was about to head to work. Hadley was folding clothing she’d washed when she heard Zach’s phone ring from the hall.
“Hello?” he said.
She finished with the last towel as he spoke.
“Yes. I’ll be here. See you soon.” He walked into the room and met her gaze. “Remy’s stopping by with someone. They want to talk to you.”
She stilled. “Why? What’s going on?”
He drew a deep breath. “The man is a fed. They have information on your father.” He picked up the empty laundry basket. “Come. We’ll wait in the family room.”
She walked to the oversized couch and sat down, waiting as Zach put the basket in the laundry room before joining her and taking a seat next to her.
She twisted her hands in her lap, her stomach churning, her nerves taking over. “You don’t know what they want?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Remy asked me to be with you though,” he said, grasping her hand. “Whatever the news, I’m with you, okay?”