Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
She met my gaze. “You know it’s always been my dream to have my own hotel.”
I shoved down my sadness at the thought of her leaving. “I know. And I know you’ve been saving for it.”
A shadow crossed her face, and her smile was forced. “Having enough for my dream will take me longer than I thought. I’m not in any hurry.”
Something was off in her voice. Her shoulders were stiff and drawn back. “What changed? I know you have a budget, and you’ve always been good at following it.”
She shrugged. “Sometimes life happens.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
She stood, reaching for my empty bowl. I wrapped my hand around her wrist. “Una, I know you. What has happened? Do you need a raise? Is there a problem?”
She looked away, sitting. She traced a pattern on the table, not meeting my eyes.
“Una.”
She looked up.
“Tell me.”
“My savings… I loaned it to Brian.”
I narrowed my eyes, instantly suspicious. “You loaned it to him?”
“Yes. He admitted his debt was larger than you knew.”
“Una,” I bit out. “I knew the figure from Lopez himself. The only way the debt was larger was if Brian paid some of it off before I found out. And since you were shocked when I told you about the situation, that means one of two things. You lied to me about not knowing, or he took your money without your knowledge. Which was it?”
She lifted her eyes to mine, and I knew.
“He fucking stole your money.”
“He’s going to pay it back. He promised.”
“Yes, he is. Every penny plus interest. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Finn, stay out of it. It’s between us.”
“No—”
She stood, angry. “I didn’t want to tell you because I knew how you’d react. This is between Brian and me. Stay out of it.”
“And when he doesn’t pay you back?”
“Then I helped my brother.”
“When are you going to open your eyes, Una? Stop letting him take advantage of you!” I roared.
“He’s my brother. My family. He’s all I have left of my dad,” she said, her voice broken. “I have to help him.”
I rose to my feet, staring down at her. “You are too good for him. He’s going to drain you. Financially, emotionally. I fear for you if you don’t break away from him.”
“My brother doesn’t scare me.”
I shook my head. “Then you’re deluding yourself, Una. You refuse to allow me into your life based on the what-ifs, yet you allow him full access, when his what-ifs and past behaviors are far more dangerous to your well-being. Why can’t you see that?”
“It isn’t only the what-ifs,” she replied, her eyes glimmering. “I was there, Finn. I witnessed your world firsthand.”
I shut my eyes at the pain in her voice.
“So, it’s easier to live without me than take a chance with me?” I asked quietly.
“I can’t be the cause of your demise.”
I chuckled without humor. “Since you insist my world is so violent, then someone is going to take me out at some point.”
“Don’t even say that!” she yelled, jumping to her feet.
“They could come after you to get to Brian,” I pointed out.
“He is of no consequence to anyone,” she insisted, crossing her arms. I knew the mulish look in her eyes far too well. She wouldn’t listen to me. When it came to her brother, she never would. I bent and brushed a kiss to her forehead.
“Thank you for dinner, mo chroí. Until the last few moments, it was the best evening I’ve had in a long time.” I paused. “I miss you. I miss us.”
“We didn’t have enough time for there to be an us.”
I shook my head. “Always so stubborn. There was an us. There is an us. I hope one day there will be a forever us. Once you realize it, I’ll be waiting.”
“If you hate my brother so much, why do you want to be a part of my life?” she asked.
“I don’t hate him. I loathe how he uses you. I detest how you allow it, but I understand it. It’s how you show your love. I don’t think he deserves it.”
“But you do?”
Her words stopped me. I lifted my hand, trailing my fingers down her cheek. “No, I don’t. But I am a selfish man, Una, and I want it. I want your love, your laughter, your body. I want your world to begin and end with me. I want your every breath and thought. I want to possess you. Love you. I want to give you everything you need to fulfill your dreams and watch you soar.” I smiled sadly. “As long as I’m part of them.”
“Finn,” she whispered, her eyes wide, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
I bent close so our mouths were almost touching. Near enough I could feel her breath on mine. “I want you. I love you. I’m waiting. Don’t make me wait much longer.”