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)
Us.
The Fola.
Fucking Dion.
If he were standing right in front of me, I would have shot his other shoulder.
“I know you’re the one who took my Yin,” Hunter said as she moved over to the dresser and started to dress. “I don’t know why, and I don’t really give a fuck. You’re going to give her back in one piece, and it’s going to be now.”
“Don’t leave me in suspense when you’ve worked so hard to intrigue me, Hunter. What will you do if I don’t?” I challenged.
“I’m sure you can fill in the blanks.” Dressed now in skin-tight black pants, a matching long-sleeve shirt, and a bulletproof vest, Hunter grabbed a box of ammo and an extra mag and began loading the clip.
“Do you even know who you’re threatening?” I asked out of curiosity.
“Should it matter?”
“No,” I said after a long silence. My respect for Hunter Parrish was foolishly growing. Now that Coby was mine, I could understand Hunter’s reckless desire to go to war to get her back. I’d do the same, which is why I said, “It sure as fuck wouldn’t matter to me.”
On the screen, I could see Hunter pause a moment before she resumed sliding bullets into her magazine.“I’m glad we understand each other.”
“Hunter, I think we’re far from understanding each other. Stand down. This is your last warning.”
Ignoring me, she strapped one holster around her thigh and another around her waist. “And this is my warning,” she said as she shoved one of the Sigs into the holster. “You have an hour to return my friend. By the end of that hour, I’ll be on your doorstep, shooting anything that moves.”
Grinning widely, I cooed, “Show me yours, and I’ll show you mine. And Hunter?”
“What?” Her movements grew increasingly agitated.
“I promise mine are bigger.”
Unafraid and strapped for war, Hunter snorted. “Okay, I hear you. I guess we’ll just have to pull them out and see.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” I ended the call and the video feed.
Abel turned around in his seat again, but I paid him no mind as I stared out the window while deep in thought.
I’d found Coby’s warnings cute before, but now I wondered if she’d just been playing along and hiding her friend up her sleeve this entire time. Eager to find out, I slid over in the backseat and pressed my gun to Paul, my driver’s skull. “Hurry the fuck up and get to that apartment,” I barked. “You have seven minutes before I splatter your thoughts on the windshield.”
Paul punched the gas and got us there in six, but when Abel kicked in the door, I stepped inside the girls’ apartment and discovered that we were too late.
Hunter was long gone.
* * *
1 . Advisor
2 . Christmas Day
COBY
“What do you think of this one?” I turned away from the pink cherry blossom Oscar de la Renta dress I was inspecting with a ridiculous ten-thousand-dollar price tag to see Chiara holding up another dress from the same designer, this one was rose gold with hand-cut mirrored panels, a large ivory rose motif, and a layered A-line skirt that was full and sure to twirl with every movement. It was a dress fit for a princess.
The problem was that I didn’t belong in this world. It’s not that I resented the idea of living a soft life, but it didn’t feel right without Hunter. Even now, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Ocean said he was going to get her, but I knew it wouldn’t be as simple as extending the invitation.
Someone was going to get hurt.
“It’s beautiful,” I forced myself to say as I admired the way it glittered under the store lights. Ocean had apparently changed his mind about my going shopping with his cousins, and shortly after he left, they returned and told me I was spending the day with them. The armed escort that tailed us everywhere, though, made it clear that I was still under lock and key.
“Eek! Good. I checked the tag and double-checked with the sales associate. Absolutely no cute little woodland animals were harmed in the making of this gorgeous couture. We thought you could wear it at the reception after the wedding,” Chiara suggested excitedly.
My eyes widened because I just knew they weren’t suggesting I buy it. “Chiara, you can’t be serious. That dress must cost a fortune.”
“Girl, do you know who your man is?” She rolled her eyes. “Please, this is chump change to him.” Spinning around, she handed the dress to the sales associate standing by and told her we’d take it.
“Chiara!”
“Sorry, cousin-in-law, but we have orders.” She strutted away to join Priscilla by the shoes.
I couldn’t lie. The dress was fire, but it was going to be the only thing I bought.
Five hours and over a dozen stores and countless bad decisions later, I had just sat down to a late lunch with Chiara and Priscilla when a dark-skinned girl who was tall, chic, and svelte entered the restaurant. She drew a lot of eyes immediately as she spoke with the hostess. A white collar peeked out from the top of her short black dress with double-breasted gold buttons. Her long black overcoat nearly swayed around her knee-high boots as she moved. It was a sophisticated look for someone so young, but she wore it with confidence.