Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 169013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 845(@200wpm)___ 676(@250wpm)___ 563(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 169013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 845(@200wpm)___ 676(@250wpm)___ 563(@300wpm)
One thing I knew for sure was Silas had the answers. I knew down to my soul that whatever they’d been meeting about last night involved Dereck.
Involved me.
A tremor rolled down my spine.
What I wouldn’t give to shun everything Silas had said.
The warnings that had dripped from his cruel, arrogant mouth.
But I knew he meant it.
Knew he was uttering nothing but the truth.
And because of it, I was subject to his reign.
God, that pissed me off, too.
It’d been clear as day when the text had come through last night. I’d rushed to get it, thinking it was Dereck, only it was from an unknown number.
Unknown
You made the right choice, going back to your room. Would not have made me happy if I had to drag you back onto my property.
Didn’t love getting kneed in the balls, either, so let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again, yeah?
Me
How did you get my number?
Unknown
I know a whole lot more than you think.
When I didn’t respond in a few minutes, another text had blipped through.
Unknown
If you need me, use this number, and don’t make me have to chase after you again. Are we clear?
Me
Loud and clear.
I’d sent it with a sneer.
God, I despised him and his crooked crown and the fact that he held my well-being over my head.
The truth that he was the only thing I had.
I’d quickly saved his contact as King.
The cup finally filled, and I brought it to my lips.
I breathed out in relief as the steaming liquid hit my tongue, then every molecule in my body was tightening and expanding when I felt the squall of energy rise behind me.
A flashflood of it when he swung open the door.
It wasn’t necessary to turn around to know it was him.
The man had his own special brand of volatility.
That casual arrogance that infiltrated the space, though there’d been nothing casual about it last night.
I could feel him take a step inside from the shop. Felt him lean against the wall.
Hell, I could almost see him crossing those violent arms over his broad chest.
And I was the sheep who wanted to see.
Slowly, I turned around, holding onto that mug like it might be a lifeline when the undertow of the man threatened to sweep me away.
Silas Mercer was in the exact position I’d imagined.
Dressed in jeans and motorcycle boots and a freaking Henley.
Brown hair damp.
But that fresh out of the shower look didn’t do anything to soften his sharp edges.
His cheeks and eyes were blades.
Brow slashed and severe.
Too violently beautiful to be real.
I’d worked really hard not to lie to myself, and honestly, I could stare at him all day and not get tired of doing it.
Then the jerk had to go and open his mouth.
“I see you’re being a good girl this morning.”
I bristled. Hackles rising in defense.
I really hoped my chin didn’t quiver when I lifted it. “It seems I’m stuck here for a while, doesn’t it?”
God, I really disliked the way it made it sound like I was surrendering. But it wasn’t like I had a whole lot of choices.
From where he leaned against the wall, Silas let his gaze wander over me.
Slowly.
Casually.
Like the bastard had earned the right.
Hazel orbs flicking down and lifting chills on my skin as they went.
Flashing with something that I felt like a rugged caress dragging over my flesh.
The sensation was so overwhelming that I wasn’t sure if I detested it or yearned to feel more of it.
This foreign feeling that bubbled in my belly and scattered through me like the flapping of hummingbird wings.
It’d been there last night, too, when he’d pretty much been manhandling me.
Though then it’d been distorted.
Mangled by the fear and charged by the adrenaline that had pumped through my veins.
Now, it was just disorienting.
“The fuck are you wearin’?” The gruff words scraped through the air.
A frown slashed deep, and I looked down to take in my attire.
The lacy white dress that hit me mid-thigh, cinched at the waist with a black belt and flowy in the skirt, my favorite peep-toe black heels on my feet.
“What, am I not dressed appropriately for you? I figured if I was working in your office representing your fine, upstanding company, I’d better look good doing it.”
I added as much spite to it as I could conjure.
So maybe there was a valid reason I was here, but that didn’t mean I trusted this guy, and it wasn’t like he was offering any answers.
And Silas was dangerous. Up to no good. Involved in foul, nefarious things.
Hands down.
Signed and sealed.
Hell, that shit could be notarized.
Perilous in a way that Dereck should have stayed far away from.
But my brother had always had a sick fascination with villains.
Silas pushed from the wall and came my way.
His stride long yet somehow slowed. Stalking his prey with no covertness to it.