Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
She looks down at my sorry form on a sigh. “I’m talking to you.”
“Then why are you sulking?” I ask.
“Because a woman has just invaded our home and tried to stake a claim on you, Jesse,” she says, irritable, like I’m asking a dumb question. Which I know I am. “That is why I’m sulking.”
“Come here,” I order, not giving her a chance to protest, pulling her down and cuddling her. She doesn’t fight me. I’m taking that as a good sign. “I love it when you trample.”
“It’s tiring,” she mumbles. “I really need to go.”
“Okay.” I’ll take that. “Tell me we’re friends,” I order, holding her face. God, she does look tired. I decide here and now that I’m picking her up from work on Friday and taking her back to Paradise. No arguments.
“We’re friends,” she breathes, exasperated.
“Good girl.” I beam at her, happy, but I am mentally plotting the demise of Coral for causing this shitshow. “We’ll make friends properly later. Go get your breakfast. I’ll be two minutes.”
“I need to go, it’s eight thirty already.”
“Two minutes,” I say, standing us up. “You’ll wait for me.”
“Hurry up then,” she snaps, pushing me on. I quickly find my phone and answer John’s missed calls on my way to the dressing room.
“Morning,” I say, holding my phone to my ear as I drop my towel and pull on some boxers. “What’s up?”
“Did I just see Coral leaving?”
“Yes, you won’t believe the fucking morning I’ve had.”
He laughs. “I bet I will.”
He couldn’t possibly. “We’re coming.” I hang up and rush into my suit, trying to call Sam, just needing to vent. But the fucker doesn’t answer. So I try Drew. Nothing. “Where are your fucking friends when you need them?” I mutter, stuffing my feet into my brogues and pulling a tie off the rack, fixing it as I head back down.
“Here he is,” Cathy sings. “And he’s dressed.” She wrinkles her nose, a cheeky glint in her old eyes.
“I’m dressed.” I chuckle. “As is my beautiful wife.” And doesn’t she look beautiful today?.
“Can I go to work now?” she asks on a roll of her eyes.
“Have you taken your folic acid?” I ask, sorting my collar, aware that despite being grumpy with me, she’s still admiring me.
“Yes.”
“Have you had your breakfast?” I ask, and she indicates a bag. I can’t put my foot down. If she feels anything like me, this morning has chased away any appetite. “You better eat that.” I seize her hand. “Say goodbye to Cathy.”
They sing their goodbyes and we leave, ready for another day. But not.
“Morning, Ava,” Clive says, happy as fucking Larry. Not for long. “Mr. Ward.”
“Clive,” I say, reminding myself that he’s an old boy, “how the hell did a woman make it past you and up to the penthouse?”
“Mr. Ward,” he says, laughing. “I’ve just come on shift.”
“Just?” Don’t tell me that young, good-looking fucker is responsible for this. I’ll have him fired.
“Yes, I relieved the new boy only ten minutes ago,” Clive confirms as he checks the time.
“When’s he back on shift?”
“I finish at four. Did he do something wrong, Mr. Ward? I have advised him of protocol.”
Protocol? “For what fucking use it’s done,” I mumble, leading a quiet Ava outside. “John’s taking you to work.”
“When do I get my Mini back?”
“You’re not. It’s a write-off.”
“Oh,” she whispers, becoming even more despondent. “Well, when do I get to drive myself to work, then?”
“When I find out who stole my car.” I’m honest as I pull the Range Rover door open, helping her into the passenger seat and getting her seatbelt on.
“Why aren’t you taking me to work?”
“I have a few meetings at The Manor.” I kiss her scowl away.
“Then why did you make me wait for you?”
“So I could put you in John’s car and remind you to speak with Patrick.”
“You’re impossible.”
“You’re beautiful. Have a good day.” I close the door and give John a look, not that I need to. He won’t let Ava out of his sight, and I’m not resting until I have some answers.
Slipping into the Aston, I pull out of Lusso and drive to The Manor to meet Cook. I order two coffees with Pete and take a seat in the bar rather than my office, knowing Sarah will be in there. I settle and open a message from John, raising my brows.
Peterson is in the office today.
“So let me hear you tell me otherwise, baby,” I muse, dialing John, but I know deep down Ava telling her boss doesn’t really make any difference. If Van Der Haus wants to reach my wife, there are plenty of options for him to take. Unfortunately for him, he has no shit on me now. No bullets to fire. Will that make a difference? I laugh under my breath as John answers.