Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
I placed a kiss on her cheek before standing. “I will.”
Hunter stubbornly didn’t respond, closing her eyes and turning away from me.
I covered her with a blanket and then sat on the table and watched her until her breathing slowed and she fell asleep.
Standing, I quietly stalked for the elevator and rode it down to the lobby, where Abel was waiting. The last place I wanted to be was in the streets when I could be with Hunter and Coby instead, but my father had forced my hand, which meant I still had moves to make before I could even think about sleep.
Abel was never without his game face, so I didn’t have to ask if he was ready. Still, I could see his concern for Hunter and Coby bleeding through. They were growing on him, especially Hunter, though he’d never let her know. “Are they good?”
I nodded and said a silent prayer to God for Hunter and Coby’s instincts and ferocity when it came to each other.
My pops made his move, and now it was my turn.
I was going to kill the head of the Fola, and after, I’d deliver his head to my queens as a wedding gift.
COBY
Today was supposed to be my wedding day, but I haven’t seen Ocean in a week. He hadn’t returned to Glainne since the day his father tried to make Hunter and me disappear. For good reason, the wedding was postponed until after the war (unless the world wanted a repeat of the Red Wedding). Hunter and I have been busying ourselves making the huge penthouse festive for Christmas. Or rather, I decorated with the help of the staff, while Hunter the Scrooge complained that it was pointless.
I was starting to think I would get through the holiday unscathed when I woke up to a disturbing text this morning.
Shaun: I’m still your brother…
It had been a few hours since he sent that obvious attempt at guilt, so I sighed and finally texted back.
What do you want, Shaun?
The bubbles that told me he was typing appeared immediately.
Shaun: We need to talk. Can u meet me?
I can’t, I texted back. Ocean will kill you.
Shaun: Ain’t nobody afraid of his bitch ass!
As usual, my brother’s temper made him a damn fool. We both knew Ocean was far from a bitch. When I didn’t respond right away, Shaun texted again.
Shaun: Just for a few minutes. He won’t know. Just tell me where u r. I’ll come to u.
Shaun: U owe me that much…
I nibbled on my lip as guilt finally clawed its way inside my belly. I heard everything he didn’t say. It wasn’t just about what he did for me after our parents died. I left him in the hospital to die. I should have fought harder to be there for him while he was injured. Ocean had turned me down whenever I asked until it became a sore subject between us. I couldn’t even mention my brother’s name in his presence without putting Ocean in a foul mood. It was more than just Roshaun stealing from him. Ocean didn’t respect how Roshaun didn’t do more to protect me. Ocean every right to hate him, but Roshaun was still my brother.
Okay, I texted back.
And then I told him where we were.
It took another hour before I had my opening.
It came after dinner when Hunter was knocked out on the couch. Ocean was still gone, and he’d taken all of his guards with him because there was no way up to this floor without access. It went unspoken that Hunter and I weren’t allowed to leave Glainne, but I couldn’t turn my back on my brother anymore than I could stop my heart from beating.
I wasn’t going far, and I wouldn’t be long.
Ocean doesn’t have to know.
After pulling on a pair of jeans, a sweater, and tall silver sequin UGGs, I snatched the extra keycard off the counter that Ocean gave us for emergencies only—like the building being on fire—but my brother sounded desperate, so close enough.
I glanced at Hunter to ensure she was still sleeping before taking a deep breath and quietly leaving the suite. I knew she wouldn’t understand any more than Ocean since she hated Shaun, so I’d decided against telling her.
It’s not like my brother would hurt me.
I took the stairs because I didn’t want to risk running into Ocean in the elevator, in case he decided today was a good day to show his face. Over forty floors later, I was panting as I entered the underground parking garage and looked around for Shaun, who had already texted that he was there.
“Coby.”
I gasped and jumped with my hand on my chest as I spun around to see who had snuck up on me. “Goddamn it, Shaun. You scared me!”
“My bad.” Even though he looked different—the curly hair on top of his head was now braided with the sides shaved into a fade—he gave me his signature crooked grin and then opened his arms. I felt a surge of joy at seeing my big brother alive as I rushed to hug him. He winced a little when I slammed into him, and I remembered he was still recovering.