Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Did it bother Aiden that Keira was spending all her time blitzed out of her mind? The family had enough money for rehab, though it would be a challenge to keep Keira there if she was as adept at sneaking out as she seemed to be. But…
She was his little sister. She was obviously drowning, and just as obviously desperate for something—anything—to save her. She wouldn’t have latched on so quickly to Charlie if she was actually intent on destruction, which only made the whole situation more tragic.
Charlie took another, smaller drink. It wasn’t her problem. Aiden might need her help with Dmitri, but he couldn’t have made it clearer that he had no interest in her meddling with the family. She had to remember that.
Focus. Keira asked you a question. She and Aiden had come up with an origin story that seemed plausible enough. Now it was just a matter of selling it. As off-center as she felt after crossing the line with Aiden last night, the fact that he’d had his hands and mouth all over her body would only help legitimize the whole thing. “I run a backroom poker game—high-stakes.”
Keira studied the smoke swirling from the end of the almost-depleted joint. “Is there any other kind of backroom poker game?”
She laughed. “No, I guess there isn’t. Your brother attended a few times, and the second time, he stuck around and we had a few drinks.” Keira’s hazel eyes started to glaze over in a way that had nothing to do with the pot she was smoking. Charlie raised her eyebrows. “And then we fucked on the poker table.”
“Magical pussy.” Keira snapped her fingers. “I knew it. It’s a very rags-to-riches story, because, God knows, you didn’t buy those clothes with your money.”
She’d expected this, which was part of the reason she’d resisted the shopping in the first place. Aiden had turned around and argued that being a gold digger was a motivation people would understand more than love at first sight. “What we have works for us.”
“I’ll just bet it does.” Keira shot her a look. “You’re nuts for voluntarily coming into this life, and I think you have no idea what you signed on for, great sex or no. But I get it.”
There was something there, something beneath the words. Charlie studied her, wondering where she’d come across a man who’d turned her head enough to make her question everything. If she runs off with him…it would be a disaster.
But telling her that—reminding her of her duty—was just going to spur Keira into actions she might not have otherwise done. She seemed contrary like that.
Her thoughts must have shown on Charlie’s face, because Keira rolled her eyes. “Trust me—I’m not going to break rank. I’m destined to marry the monster in the castle, except I’m not beautiful or virginal enough to tame him, and this isn’t a fairy tale, where my wit and charm are going to see me into a happily ever after.” She sounded so defeated, Charlie had the intense urge to hug her.
“It’ll be okay.” She said it out of habit, but the truth was that no one—not Aiden, or Charlie, or Keira—could guarantee that it was the truth.
“You keep telling yourself that. You’re the only one in the room with a magic pussy that makes men lose their minds.” Keira rolled onto her side and took another puff of her joint, finishing it off and tossing it into the ashtray perched precariously on her nightstand. “But I’m tired of talking about me and my pathetic life. You said you run a poker game—teach me to play.”
* * *
“You can’t be serious.”
Aiden looped the tie around his neck. “It’s the best opportunity we’ll have.” He watched Charlie in the mirror as he tied the knot. It was strange getting dressed while talking to her. He’d stayed away from her as much as possible the last few days, though they were required to put on a good show during dinner for whoever attended.
But he hadn’t let things get intimate since that first night.
“You want to talk to the Eldridges at a party you’re throwing for Dmitri and Keira? That’s reckless. Do you know what those women are capable of? Not to insult your manliness, but they make the O’Malleys look like schoolgirls by comparison.”
“It’s important to the greater plan.” Romanov thought the Eldridges would ascribe to the theory that the enemy of their enemy was their friend—or if not a friend, at least a useful tool. Aiden wouldn’t have to fake his hatred of the Russian, and they both believed that Alethea would approach him as a result.
Charlie crossed one long leg over the other and cocked her head. The move sent her hair, pinned to one side, cascading over her shoulder. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”