Crave Me (The Good Ol' Boys #4)(82)

The mere thought of not being with him every day was too much to bear. I knew I was being selfish, but I was finally happy for the first time in my life since... At the end of the day Austin was a grown ass man, and all I could do was standby and watch it happen.

Praying to God that it wouldn’t change him. That he wouldn’t turn into what my uncle wanted me to become.

My worst nightmare.

“You want me to take over Briggs’ job? I can’t do that to her,” Austin stated with a sincere tone, shaking his head.

My eyes lit up, glancing over at him, thinking I won. That this may lean in my favor.

“I could never take this away from her. It’s—”

“She will be right there with you. Won’t you, Briggs?”

My uncle locked eyes with me.

I spoke too soon. I glared at him. I loved Austin too much to ever leave his side. Especially when it came to this life. Uncle knew I wouldn’t say no. He knew he had me right where he wanted me. Austin was his ticket to my soul.

“He doesn’t know what—”

“And that’s why you’ll teach him. I’ll have someone else take over the traveling for the time being. He will run New York with you. Look at it this way, he will have plenty of time to f*ck you in your own bed,” he mocked, interrupting me from the pitiful excuses I had.

It was the first time in over fifteen years, after everything he had put me through, made me see, made me experience, that I wanted to tell him that I...

Fucking. Hated. Him.

Uncle’s phone rang, breaking through my plaguing thoughts. He grabbed it out of his suit pocket. Putting a finger out in front of him before he turned answering the phone.

“Habla,” he ordered, “Talk,” walking out onto the balcony, shutting the door behind him.

Austin grabbed my chin, making me look up at him instead.

“I don’t want you to do this,” I blurted, unable to hold back my emotions.

He jerked back, offended. “What? You don’t think I can do it?”

“I don’t want you to do it,” I repeated with a stern tone that time.

“So, it’s good enough for you but not for me? Is that what you’re saying?”

“I don’t want you in this life.” I roughly pulled my face out of his grasp.

“Look at me. It’s a little too late for that, Briggs. It’s your life, and now I’m a part of it. At least this way I won’t have to worry about your safety anymore.”

“What about yours?” I countered.

“You don’t think I can handle myself, baby?”

“There’s a lot more that goes into this lifestyle than what I’ve been showing you. I’ve kept you in the dark for a reason. You don’t know what the f*ck you’re getting involved in. You’re signing your life away to the devil, and you don’t even f*cking realize it.”

“As long as it keeps you by my side. I don’t give a flying f*ck where my life goes.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying. You have a family and friends back home. What about them?”

I was trying anything and everything to get him to open his eyes and see the picture clearly.

“I don’t give a f*ck about anyone but you, Briggs. All I know this gig makes a shit ton of money. I know that it keeps you in the lifestyle that you’re used to. I can’t give you this life without him, do you understand?”

I shook my head. “I don’t care about any of that. Fuck the money, f*ck this apartment, and f*ck him,” I viciously spewed, pointing to the balcony.

“I care!” he argued. “None of this belongs to you, Briggs. I can do this for a few years, and I can set us up. We can get married, get a house, have you barefoot and pregnant in our kitchen.” He grinned and my heart melted.

He was saying everything I wanted to hear. Everything I ever wanted.

A home.

A life.

A family.

Us.

He stepped toward me, grabbing my chin again to look deep into my eyes.

“I love you. Trust me. I know what I’m doing. Let me take care of you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

I took a deep breath. My resolve fading.

“Austin… I don’t—”

“I would never lie to you. I promise it will only be for a few years, baby. That’s all I need to give you your dream. To give you a happy life.” He grabbed the sides of my face, caressing my cheeks with his thumbs. “I want to marry you, Daisy. I want the white picket fence. The three kids I plan to knock you up with. The dog. The cat. The whole nine yards, baby. I want to give you the life that you deserve. No more sad stories. Only happy ones from here on out.”

“I want all that too,” I whispered.

My uncle walked back in from the balcony. Austin kissed the tip of my nose, murmuring, “You’re my girl.” Then he turned to face him.

I would forever remember this moment for the rest of my life. Two words. Two simple words.

“I’m in.”

Since the death of my parents…

Austin was the first place I ever called home.

He was also the first person to ever destroy it.





Chapter 25





<>Austin<>