Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Ya told him about last night, didn’t ya?” I hiss.
“Ach, we told him some guys tried to get out of hand. Aye.”
“What don’t ye get? Ya and yer brother and cousins need to understand Cole and I are done. Stop involving him in my life.
“This is my pub. My business. Take it back. I don’t want it.”
“But—”
“Are ya deaf? I said I don’t want it.”
He stands staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. I can handle myself. I don’t need or want Cole’s stupid bat or his help. I kicked those guys out myself before Carrick or Malcolm could interject.
I warned them to keep their mouths shut last night. I can’t believe they went behind my back and told Cole anyway. All at once, it all comes crashing down on me.
I grab my things and storm out of the pub. I can’t do this. I never should have stayed. I can’t breathe here. He’s everywhere. I need a break from all things Cole.
Brooklyn
I pinch my eyes closed and throw my head back against the headrest as I sit in the back seat of the SUV. I just watched DJ storm out of the pub. I figured she would be angry after receiving my gift.
However, I wanted her to have it. Keeping my distance in the last three months has been harder than I ever thought it would be. Every time I get ready to say fuck it, Phoebe Romaine texts my phone to stop me.
It’s eerie that she knows every single time. For that reason, I listen—because how in the fuck does she know? I play her words in my head daily.
You are to be king—one of the various Kings of New York, and one of the most powerful there is. Your brother will lean on you when times call for it, and you will need to lean on your queen.
A queen meant to be one of the Bellas. Not just any Bella, but the right hand of Death herself. You will resist at times, but this is the way it must be.
I’m still trying to understand what she meant by the Bellas. I have no idea who they are. The right hand of Death? I’ve been circling that part most.
“Should I follow her?” Emory says from the driver’s seat.
I shake my head. “No, let her go. I’m of more use in California. Let’s head back.”
CHAPTER 33
The Lesson
Deja
I walk into my great-gran’s bedroom and go to take the seat next to her bed. My heart aches to see her like this. She looks so frail. Much worse than when I left.
My anger grows all over again. How did I allow this to happen? I feel so selfish and stupid.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
She opens her eyes, and they are unfocused at first. It takes a moment before she’s able to train her gaze on me. A smile comes to her lips.
“Aye, she told me ye were coming,” she says weakly.
I purse my lips. If she’s talking about that gypsy friend of hers, I don’t want to hear it. I left in the first place because of her.
“Och, and she told me ye would be angry. Listen to me, Deja. Ye did the right thing.
“Dinnae fash yersel. I am auld. My time grows near whether ye be here or not but ye should not be here.”
“How can ya say that? Where should I be if not with ya?”
“Ye should be where ye will unlearn—” She begins to cough midsentence.
I have to fight against my tears and frustration. What am I supposed to be unlearning? Why do I have to leave to unlearn it?
“It’s okay, Gran. Rest,” I say softly.
“No, I’m fine. Ye need to understand. It’s important. Yer destiny awaits ye.
“This will always be yer home, but yer life is tied to where Phoebe has seen ye.”
“Where has she seen me?”
“Ye belong in the Big Apple. Yer destiny lives in New York. However, the time hasn’t come for ye all to be there. It is coming. They will be there when ye arrive.”
“They who?”
“Hush—” The coughing begins again.
“I’m sorry, Gran. I will sit here and be silent. You sleep.”
She gives a laugh and her eyes twinkle. “Och, love. No. I don’t mean for ye to hush. That is who will be there when ye arrive. Hush and the Black Death. They will teach ye to trust.
“This is the lesson. This is what you will unlearn. This mistrust. When ye learn this from them, the lad will reappear and ye will know the truth.”
“What if I don’t want him to appear?”
“Aye, ye say that now, but is that what ye heart says? Phoebe has told me a lot. Ye aren’t seeing the whole picture.
“He needs ye to trust him. That’s going to save ye all. The trust of a real family. Not one born of blood but one forged in it. I believe those were her words,” she coughs the last part.