Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Hell, it was a miracle that we’d been born at all. I wasn’t sure our parents had ever been affectionate with each other.
“It took her so long to make it,” Ambrose said, leaning against the doorframe. “That he slept with the top piece for almost a year before she’d added the rest.”
“Really?” Charlie asked.
“He was obsessed with it,” Ambrose confirmed. “On wash day, he refused to play anywhere except the backyard while it hung to dry. Chance used to tease him about being afraid a wild animal would steal it.”
“Sounds like Chance,” I grumbled.
“He took that thing everywhere,” Ambrose said. “I wondered if you had it, but I didn’t want to ask.”
Charlie nodded. “I have a few T-shirts,” he said quietly. “And the dollar coin he carried in his wallet.”
“Did he tell you the story of that?” Ambrose asked.
“No, just that it was worth a lot more than a dollar,” Charlie replied.
“The one with the lady on the front?” I asked, intrigued. I knew I’d seen it when Zeke had emptied his pockets at some point, but I couldn’t remember any significance to it.
“It’s one of the first coins ever minted in the United States,” Ambrose explained. “My father knew that it was a piece of history, so he held on to it. He told us he won it in a game of cards, but it was probably much more boring than that. Eventually, he gave it to Zeke, and by then, the coins were pretty much obsolete. They’d been replaced by others.”
“You’re rich,” I told Charlie, wiggling my eyebrows at him as I poked him in the thigh with my toes.
“It’s not like I’d ever sell it,” Charlie countered, shoving my foot away.
“You’re wealthy without the coin,” Ambrose interrupted, a small smile playing on his lips. “Everything Zeke’s is yours now.”
“What?” Charlie stuttered, pushing himself up on the bed.
“You’re his mate, Charlie,” Ambrose replied. “Everything Zeke owned became yours the moment you completed the bond.”
Charlie shook his head. “But we weren’t married.”
“Marriage is a human construct,” Ambrose said dismissively. “We follow Vampire law.”
“Oh my god,” Charlie whispered.
“What?” I asked, glancing between them.
“Our family is wealthy,” Ambrose said with a wink. “Zeke was filthy rich.”
“He said he always knew what stocks to buy,” Charlie said dazedly.
“This is wealthy?” I asked doubtfully, waving my arm around.
“In comparison, yes,” Ambrose replied.
I flopped down next to my brother. “Well, I want a Range Rover,” I ordered imperiously to the ceiling. “With floral seat covers and vents that smell like sunshine.” I turned to look at him, and his eyes were still blank with shock. “Also, I’d like one of those castle bouncy houses with the slide. I always wanted those, and no time like the present.”
“I’m not buying you a bouncy house,” Charlie replied, finally snapping out of it.
“But you’ll get the Range Rover?”
“You’re such a mooch.”
“Better a mooch than a scrooge,” I countered. “I want the Range Rover to be white.”
“Dream on,” he replied drolly.
“G-Wagon?” I asked hopefully.
“Get the fuck outta here.” Charlie laughed, flicking me in the forehead.
I grinned back at him. Seeing the real Charlie shining through was such a gift—much better than a Range Rover. Though I’d still love one of those. Who wouldn’t?
We hadn’t even had a car growing up. I’d learned to drive as an adult.
Ambrose had disappeared out of the doorway at some point, but I didn’t think he’d gone far.
“You smell like Zeke,” I told Charlie softly, reaching out to ruffle his hair.
“I used his shampoo,” he replied just as quietly. “It doesn’t smell the same on me.”
“Yeah, it does,” I argued.
He just shook his head.
“I bet he’s really happy we’re here.” I rolled to face him and curled my hands under my cheek. “He was so insistent that we find his family.”
“Do you think he knew he wasn’t coming back?” Charlie asked, his eyes welling with tears.
“I think he would’ve done anything to get back to you,” I replied, not quite answering the question. I wasn’t sure if Zeke had known that he was going to die, but I had a feeling that he knew it was a strong possibility. He wouldn’t have made Charlie memorize the message to his family otherwise. Zeke wouldn’t have even put that idea into my brother’s head unless he’d felt like he had to.
“I miss him so much it hurts,” Charlie confessed. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”
“Just hold on a little longer,” I ordered gently, reaching out to grip the hand he’d pulled beneath his chin. “It’ll get better.”
“How?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “But I know it will. You just have to give it some time.”
My brother’s lips trembled as he nodded.
“I’m the third wheel now,” Charlie said. “Is this how you felt when I met Zeke?”
“I was the front wheel,” I countered. “Arguably the most important, so I didn’t let it bother me that there were two of you following me around.”