Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
I pull a necklace from my pocket, a loaner from Adrian, even though I could have bought one myself, and gently slip it around her neck. It sparkles in the bright bathroom lights, and she runs her fingers over it. “Wow. It’s so pretty.”
It would be easier to keep my thoughts to myself, but I can’t help it. Not with her looking so delicious and me being a starving man. “Not as beautiful as you. Let’s go.”
The party has already started when we arrive. Thankfully, I got to miss the awkward mingling when things are just getting going. The room is packed, but I don’t recognize anyone here. I lean down to pull her into my side. “Do you recognize anyone?”
She’s shivering, and I tighten my grip around her waist. “Malyshka, you have to calm down, or I won’t be able to stay calm. You know what happens when I lose my calm. Where are we? Have you ever lived here?”
It takes effort. I watch as she resettles her shoulders and pastes a fake smile on her face. “No, this is likely his girlfriend’s house. Or something. Or maybe he has houses everywhere that I didn’t know about since I lived at the compound.”
The idea he made her live in some hovel when he had this place with its crystal-cut chandeliers and silk curtains ignites my rage to murder him even more.
“Oh, I’m so happy you two love birds could attend.” His voice from behind me makes me stiffen. I stare down into Cilla’s face and wrestle with my control. It would be nothing to pull out my gun and blow this jackass a new asshole. The season ends very soon, but it’s not over yet. I still have time.
“Please,” Cilla whispers, her hand gripping my forearm hard enough that it allows me to focus. I inhale her clean soapy scent deeply and then turn to stand beside her, facing Arthur.
He’s dressed like a villain from a damn Agatha Christie adaptation with a silk jacket and ascot. It makes him look twenty years older than he probably is. “I’m so glad you got my invitation. If you tell me where you’re making your home, I can send the invites directly next time.”
He holds his hand out to shake, but I ignore it, slipping my free hand into my pocket. “Sending anything care of the penthouse is just fine.”
Arthur smiles like the slight is nothing, then waves a server over to offer drinks. I give him a dead-eyed stare. “I’ll decline. I hope you understand.”
Cilla’s hold tightens, and she refuses a drink as well. Did he think we’d walk right back into his clutches and trust he won’t drug us just because he has a deal with Adrian?
When we all stare at each other in silence, Arthur smiles wide and moves off toward another set of guests. Cilla sags and lets out a long sigh beside me. “You didn’t kill him. We are doing great. How long do we have to stay here?”
Arthur laughs loudly from across the room, and I catch him mentioning Adrian’s name. Of course, he’d try to use his new connections to gain favors or more patrons. Let’s go to the bar and get a drink. There are likely people here he won’t want to drug.
While we stand at the bar, I pull out my phone and snap pictures. They are set up to automatically upload to Kai so he can identify them all.
A text comes through, and I open it.
The woman beside the window is my sister, Julia. Find out what the fuck she is doing there.
I stare around and spot the girl on the far side of the room. Same warm tan skin as Kai, same silky black hair as Selena, but she’s a little thinner, and she stands a bit more rigid than both of them. The silver sequin dress she’s wearing hugs her tall thin frame tightly, and I think I spot the strap of a sheath at her thigh.
I lead Cilla with me since I’m not willing to leave her alone. We stop at Julia’s elbow. “Julia?”
She turns to look at me but doesn’t register any recognition. “Yes? Are you looking for me?”
I study her face and the blank look in her eyes. “Are you okay? Do you need help? Kai sent me over here to talk to you.”
She stares around the room. “My brother? How would he even know I’m here. How do you know him?”
Without giving her our entire history, I keep it simple. “We work together, and he’s one of the few people I’d count as a friend.”
Now she smiles, and I see the resemblance to her brother even more. “He does like to collect interesting friends. Tell him I said hello.”
Then without another word, she drifts into the crowd. I try to keep my eyes on her, but the room is growing fuller, especially as people drift off to the large empty room for dancing.