Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 135300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Come clean with me when you’re ready.
I’m not a chronic liar, I swear. But I’m also not a loyal truth teller.
Kane isn’t exactly an open book himself.
But secrets are in the Blackthorn blood, and to tell people all those grubby little facts about yourself, you have to get close to them.
You have to trust them.
The past five years or so, the only people I’ve felt close to are Ethan and Hattie. Though I guess there’s a first time for everything, including trading half-truths with a stranger who stirs me up in ways I don’t want to deal with.
I shift around so I’m facing him, wrapping the blanket up to my chin.
He twists, too, blanket-free, though he’s wearing a gorgeous burgundy sweater that looks soft enough to sink into. Our breath spirals out in white puffs.
Oh, this is harder than I thought.
But we’re sharing space—something I haven’t really done since Hattie ran off and married my brother.
For whatever reason, I don’t want him thinking the worst of me, like I’m some lying spoiled brat who can’t be trusted around his kids.
“Hey, so… I got the sandwich. And your note.”
Awkward. I almost regret the words as soon as they’re out.
He nods, sipping his beer again before setting his bottle down.
It lands on the wooden armrest next to him with a slight clink. “I shouldn’t have gotten in your face like that. My bad, duchess.”
“You’re going to keep doing that, aren’t you?”
“If the glove fits.” He shrugs, biting back a smile.
I should be furious. The last boy who called me that dumb nickname tried to copy my book report. I guess it was his way of ‘getting back’ at the class princess, all thanks to being a Blackthorn.
And I kinda proved the point by telling the teacher and getting him suspended for three days.
“It’s not a bad thing,” Kane whispers. “It’s how you carry yourself. Very regal. You see how Sophie looks at you. Dan, too, and I’d like to keep it that way. That’s why I’m over what happened earlier—even if it doesn’t mean I’ll drop the duchess part anytime soon.”
I swallow a laugh, shaking my head.
It’s not quite an apology, but it’s close.
Now, I might have to give him the truth.
“You’re right, though. I wasn’t being strictly… open, I guess.”
Deep breath.
His eyes flash, this feeling that’s there and gone in an instant.
Not vindication.
More like an acknowledgment he was right. Plus, an intense flash of disgust because I lied to his face.
But then he looks at me, green eyes like jade in the night, the firelight playing across the shadows of his face, and I know he’s waiting.
Come clean.
Right. Dear God.
I clear my throat. “The thing is, I don’t know what to say. Or how to explain it. My grandfather was—I guess you’d call him eccentric.”
“Leonidas?”
“The one and only. When I inherited this place, he left a letter saying there’s something important here. Something that belonged to him. But I don’t have a freaking clue where to start.”
Kane goes silent, like he’s taking his time thinking, slowly digesting the news.
The opposite of me.
I’m a knee-jerky kind of girl who likes to get things done. When my brother was spiraling, I practically shoved him back into the world.
“Was that so hard, Miss Blackthorn?”
I narrow my eyes at him.
“Don’t push your luck, dude. I’m telling you because yes, I invaded your privacy and I feel pretty crappy about it. And yes, you’re also living in this house, but let’s not forget who owns it. And would it kill you to call me Margot for once?”
The corner of his mouth twitches.
“Gonna kick us out, Margot?”
“If you piss me off enough… yeah. But the kids can stay. They’re nice.” I cock my head, ignoring the warning in my belly that says this feels like flirting. “They make me think you must be doing something right. Don’t prove me wrong.”
That half smile he’s wearing blooms into a smirk.
“Just you wait until Sophie tells you how many Earths can fit in the Sun for the thousandth time. Or when Dan starts his drumming at eight o’clock on a Sunday morning,” he says dryly. “You wouldn’t believe how much laundry these kids can make. Mount fucking Everest.”
I’m laughing.
It’s so jarring, thinking of this tattooed, self-propelled ego who rarely cracks a smile running around and trying to keep up with his kids’ laundry.
The thought relaxes me, and I settle into the blankets.
“I stand by my decision,” I say.
The other corner of his mouth tips up to join the first. “Guess I’d better do my best not to piss you off then, duchess.”
“Guess so. You could also help with the big mystery, since you’re so handy.” I must be desperate if I’m asking Saint Lucifer for help.
But I’m seriously at my wit’s end.
“I could. Any idea what it is you’re looking for? What he might’ve left here?”