Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Orson sat back down. “Now, we begin.”
I set down the bottle of water.
“We begin.”
Chapter 14
Cian
Skylar was snuggled into my side, her head leaning on my shoulder. I nuzzled her hair, and breathing in her scent, I relaxed. She smelled so good to me—soft, light, and so right. The air in the sprawling, dreary compound I was forced to stay in was stale, permeated with cigarette smoke, alcohol, and the stink of mistrust and too many dark, evil thoughts. I hadn’t slept well or taken a proper breath in the days I’d been gone. Before I could even touch Skylar, I’d stood under a hot shower, letting the steam and soap wash away the surface grit and rancid smell. The filth under my skin would never be eradicated until Orson drew in his last breath and I rid the world of as much of his poison as I could.
When Sean had arrived at Orson’s lair, he’d discreetly let me know the entire place was bugged. As I’d suspected, the phone and car Orson insisted I accept were also wired, and he could follow my every move. It took Sean a full day to figure out a way to circumvent the devices without alerting suspicion. The “gift” of the expensive watch earlier today had been a problem until I’d announced loudly I needed to blow off steam at my favorite strip club. The watch and the tracker on the car both showed me there, and the lackey who followed me at a safe distance would tell Orson he had seen me step out for a breath of fresh air several times—a different woman with me every time. I was sure “twin me” was enjoying his evening.
In the meantime, I was safe back at the farmhouse with Skylar and Sean.
“Did you plant the idea the way we discussed?” Sean asked.
I nodded, scrubbing a hand over my face roughly. “Yes. I told him Harry was behaving strangely.”
Sean glanced at the screen. “He’s scheduled to pick up the shipment in two days.”
I smirked. “Too bad Harry and the shipment will go missing.”
Sean smirked back. “And several million more will disappear.”
I took a deep drink of the coffee I was holding. “I want to start escalating it soon.”
“Patience, Cian.”
“I know.”
“You need to stick close to Orson.” His gaze skittered to Skylar, then back to me. “We both do.”
I nodded—for the first time ever, hating the idea of being apart from someone.
“I’ll be fine.” Skylar’s low voice was close to my ear. “Don’t worry about me, Cian. Sean brought me a bunch more movies and books, and I have plenty of food.”
I smiled down at her sweet face. “I hate the thought of you alone. What if you need something?”
She shrugged. “I can use the snowmobile. I know how to get to town if I need to.”
I choked on my coffee, sputtering.
Sean spoke up. “I gave her lessons after you left—in case of an emergency, she needs to know where to go and how to get out of here.” He grinned at Skylar with a wink. “And since a car was out of the question, I decided on the snowmobile. Your girl is a fast learner.”
“You did what?” I growled.
Skylar pulled herself away, sitting up and crossing her arms. “No need to sound so pissy—at least he thought about it.”
“It’s dangerous!”
Sean’s voice was patient. “So is leaving her here alone, with no way to get away if needed.”
Panic built in my chest—a feeling so foreign, I had no idea how to handle it. I grabbed Skylar’s hand, squeezing it. “You can’t leave. You said you wouldn’t.”
The annoyance on her face melted away, her eyes filled with understanding. She leaned forward, cupping my cheek. “I’m not leaving you, Cian. Sean just showed me in case something happened, like you were gone longer than planned and I ran out of food or something.” Her hand tightened. “I’m not leaving you.”
Relief flooded my system, and I yanked her into my arms, my mouth covering hers. I heard Sean’s fading footsteps as I kissed Skylar, my lips hard and unrelenting, my tongue insistent and claiming. I pulled back, burying my face into her neck. “I’m sorry, Kitten… I can’t…I just can’t…”
“Shh,” she whispered. “Sean was only trying to help.”
“He’s right. I should have thought about that.” I shook her slightly. “But you have to be careful. No one can see you—we can’t take the chance of Orson somehow finding out you’re alive. I can’t risk you—I can’t. Only leave if you absolutely have to. Promise me.” I drew in a deep breath. “I should send you to Julia. Let you go.” I shook my head. “But I can’t. So you have to promise me.”
“I promise.” She leaned back, running her fingers over my face, tracing the hollows under my eyes. “Are you all right, Cian?”