Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 31800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“Ms. Hood,” he wheezes out. “You’re needed on the fortieth floor, now.”
“But—”
“Stop wasting time, Ms. Hood. His Highness says you have four minutes and twenty seconds...and counting.”
Lykan
I’m standing with my back to the door, facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a commanding view of Manhattan’s skyline. The same view I’ve stared at for the past three days, trying to forget the hurt in her eyes when I dropped her off like she meant nothing.
Like she doesn’t mean everything.
A soft knock interrupts my brooding.
“Come in.”
I don’t bother turning around; my secretary wouldn’t dare disturb me unless it was absolutely necessary. And there’s only one person I’ve been waiting for.
The door opens with a quiet click, followed by the whisper of heels on marble. I can smell her before I see her, that soft vanilla scent mixed with something uniquely Scarlette that makes my chest tighten and my hardness stir despite everything.
Despite the fact that she wants another man.
I turn slowly, and despite everything, I’m still not immune to the sight of her, with how I find myself inhaling sharply while clenching my hands against the urge to touch her.
She’s wearing a simple navy dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, her auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail that makes her look younger, more vulnerable. There are shadows under her eyes, like she hasn’t been sleeping. Her lips are bare, slightly parted, and blood rushes south when I remember how those lips felt under mine.
Enough, Qahiri.
I force my gaze upward, but this is also a mistake because I don’t like seeing the pain in her blue-gray eyes. It makes me feel guilty...even though I know damn well that I have nothing to be guilty about. If she’s still thinking of another man even when she’s still with me, I’m no damn saint to stick around in hopes that she would care about me more.
But unfortunately for both of us, our own feelings are not the only thing that matter.
Scarlette’s expression has now turned wary, which is understandable. She’s finally noticed the other person in the room, and I reluctantly make the necessary introductions.
“Ms. Hood.”
She jerks at the sound of my voice, and it has me grinding my teeth. Do I scare her that much now? Or does she simply not want any reminder of her time with me?
“May I introduce our palace’s Chief Steward, Lord Arav? He has been with our family for generations and oversees our personal affairs.”
Arav steps forward and bows low with his trademark blend of grace and dignity. It comes with the territory, Arav having worked for the royal family since he was in his early teens. He’s pretty much seen everything and been through everything with us as well. For the most part of my childhood, tall and gentlemanly Arav has stood as both my second father and royal warden, depending on what the occasion warranted.
“It is an honor to meet you, milady, and I humbly extend my warmest greetings on your engagement to His Highness.”
Damn you, Arav.
Scarlette hasn’t been in the room with us for more than a minute, and shots have already been fired. Arav did never like wasting time pointlessly, and I should have known today wouldn’t be any different.
I turn to Scarlette, and I feel like punching something the moment I see the dismay on her face. Was the idea of being engaged to me truly that horrifying?
“I’m sorry, sir—”
“Please call me Arav, milady.”
The gentle note of friendliness in Arav’s tone seems to throw her off and leaves her blinking. “I...um...thank you. Please call me Scarlette as well.”
“You’re too kind, milady.”
The bemusement in her eyes grows. “Actually, I’m not...” Scarlette throws a helpless look at my direction. “I don’t understand. Aren’t we—”
“We’re still engaged.” There’s no point softening the blow. Nothing will change the truth. We’re both fucked, and that’s the reality of it.
Scarlette starts to laugh but stops when she sees my expression hasn’t changed, and I gesture stiffly to Arav as I force myself to elaborate on the unpleasantness of our current predicament.
“My father has sent him to make clear that word of our engagement has reached the council members in Sharasa.” Each word tastes like ash in my mouth. “Thus, it becomes irrevocable—”
Her face goes white. “But—”
“Unless you’re willing to be executed instead?”
“This isn’t funny,” she says unevenly.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Scarlette takes a step back, hitting the arm of a chair. “I’ll go to the police then. Ask for protection from my government—”
Arav clears his throat at this. “I am deeply sorry to be the bearer of ill news, milady, but from the moment you were engaged to His Highness, your American citizenship was immediately relegated to honorary status.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means you’re my property—” The primitive satisfaction that blazes through me as I say the words should disturb me. “—whether you like it or not.” But it doesn’t.