Page 44 of Mr. Kelly

Andrea’s eyes flash with fury. The dynamics of a powerful family aren’t always pretty. His dad constantly reminded Andrea how he’d be powerless against him. Frankly, he was a bully who made us his enforcers, not realizing that every man his son brutally murdered favored him. Like I said, it’s the only way to explain how Delaney’s sister feels.

“I would have fought to find you.”

I nod to acknowledge the truth. He would have started a war with his dad, but he should know it’s not the same.

“Yeah, you have a following now. I’m sure you could have turned some of the men to your side then, but Dr. Porter has no such resources. She only wants to talk to her sister.”

He nods tersely and sends a message to summon Delaney. I stand as he rises from his desk. I know what’s coming before he reels back and punches me hard in the stomach.

“That’s for bringing up that miserable bastard.”

I cough through the pain but crack a smile at him. “That’s your one and only hit, asshole.”

“Oh, yeah?” he taunts, stepping closer. “Want to take this back to college, Kelly?”

“Anytime, Tesio.”

We once got into a brawl, both of us intent on beating the shit out of each other. It was a double knockout, but we both maintain that we won the fight. It’d be easy to say it was over a girl, but it really was both of us thinking we’re invincible and refusing to back down.

We’ve matured greatly since then, but the refusal to back down from our beliefs is still very strong. The door creaks and pulls us out of our stare-down. A tall yet timid woman, severalshades darker than River, walks into the office, looking around. Just like her sister, she’s stunning, with a cute button nose, wise but scared eyes, and curves I know Andrea craves. She’s dressed simply in a soft yellow sundress that shows off her long legs and her curly hair is pulled back into a ponytail.

“Delaney, this is Theodore, my best man.”

Her bottom lip trembles, but she bravely shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you,” I tell her although I know her feelings aren't mutual yet.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and dial her sister’s number. Once she answers, I pass the phone to Delaney. The tears she was holding back spill once she hears her sister’s voice.

“Let’s give them a moment,” I suggest as I tilt my head towards his door.

Andrea shakes his head and points at the study connected to the office. He refuses to leave anyone alone anywhere where they can snoop. It looks like it extends to his future wife as well. She walks off while being bathed in his threatening glare.

“Ten minutes,” he tells her before she closes the door. “Happy now?”

His eyes narrow at me as he waits for my response. “Was that so hard?” I mock him, glad that I have something on him this time. My words earn me another evil eye. “Best man? Bride-to-be? You’re going to marry her?”

His expression softens some and catches me off guard. “Soon.”

I doubt that they’re on the same page about that, but I know Andrea is a force when he wants something and, unfortunately for her, he wants Delaney.

To prove my point, his phone rings with a call from a wedding planner. “Yeah? Next week? That sounds good. I’ll round up the wedding party.”

“Next week?” I almost yell.

“Yup. She needs to have the Tesio name before I fuck a baby into her.”

I can tell by the way he absently licks his lips that he hasn’t touched her yet. I just don’t know how long his patience is going to last. Andrea is not used to resistance. This should be interesting.

Chapter Twenty-Two

RIVER

“Call them.”

I look up from where I'm sitting on the floor, sorting baby clothes, to watch Teddy walk my way. No,stalkis a better word. He moves light on his feet like he may need to capture prey or take out an enemy without detection. Seeing him with neat hair and sporting a suit is always a treat, but I love seeing him like this.

Soft hair falls on his forehead, begging me to run my fingers through it. His missing shirt has him displaying his toned chest and torso, along with the tattoos that decorate his skin. Sleep pants ride low on his waist and do a terrible job of leaving his underwearless dick to my imagination.

Mine.Another wave of possession hits me so hard that I almost miss the bruise on his stomach.

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