Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 69365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“You did not ask to play with my toys, which Zero is.”
Not my favorite label, but I won’t be verbalizing that.
“And most importantly, you did not ask could you take it home to destroy.”
Thad frantically begins clutching at his throat.
“You also did not ask to kiss my hand, Weslington…” The appendage is lifted to display. “You merely assumed I wouldn’t mind, much like you did when it came to being in my waters and threatening a valued member of our syndicate.” Her head angles to one side as he begins pounding on the nearby railing, anxious for aid. “The punishment for all the crimes you have committed is death.” Ravencroft uses the other hand to gently peel off a coating from the one she’s holding up. “The kiss of death to be exact.”
“Youpoisonedhim?!” his twin croaks out in spite of the barrel wedged against her face.
“He poisoned himself,” corrects the only woman I knew who had more power than the two of them, while continuing to remove the coating. “Manners maketh man.” Post her finishing, she steps towards his seizing body, gives it one solid push to send it over the edge, and discards whatever coating she had on both hands over his body. “Gibbons.” One of the men who had escorted Thaddeus onto the ship holsters his gun. “Chum.”
“Yes, Madam,” is all he states before rushing away.
“Hold your whining, Salacia,” Ravencroft commands without missing a beat. “I am more than aware of the repercussions and eco shifts that chumming can create; however, I’m also a woman who believes you should treat yourself whenever the opportunity fits and have a feeling the sharks that do roam these waters share in the sentiment.” She lets her stare briefly cut to her. “And you can rest assure the residue from my accessory will dissolve without harming them or their feast because if either are harmed there’s a beautiful, brilliant chemist whose balls I will empty for more than just an heir to my legacy.” Salay’s mouth doesn’t even have time to twitch courtesy of another order being spoken. “Follow.”
Staying close on her heels occurs without reluctance.
“Youjustkilledmybrother!” Temperance shouts in surprising disbelief, the sounds of fish gut filled buckets being dumped overboard forcing her to do so.
“Oh, tuck your Tony Award winning tears away, Princess,” sighs the woman approaching her. “You’re just upset that I beat you to it.”
At that, she clamps her mouth shut.
“I’m upset because you had the audacity to hire one of the syndicate’s companies to do your dirty work to avoid blowback on your pending coronation, dirty work that included harming those under its direct protection.” Our arrival at her side precedes Ravencroft roughly gripping Temperance’s chin. “I’m upset because you brought your little family squabble into my waters, went after my property, and tried to use my resources to wrap up this little inbred feud that had no business being brought to my shores without permission, permission that your younger sibling, Theodosia, understands, respects, and is more than willing to abide by, making her a much better successor to the Weslington crown than either of you would’ve ever been.” Her eyes widen in what I assume is shock. “Opener.” Salay swiftly tosses over the sharp object to the woman I now owe my life to resulting in a flawless catch followed by an even more impeccable stab into Temperance’s neck. “Most people assume you can’t successfully pierce the carotid with such a tiny point; however, like most things, with enough force,” word emphasized by her mirroring the exact motion, “you absolutely can.”
“Holy shit,” whispers the woman who delivered the object.
“Now, you and your brother know your place, Temperance.” Crimson slowly begins cascading down Ravencroft’s wrists. “And so does the next Queen of Hoalkey.” Craning her face to practically close the gap between them is accompanied by her cooing, “Reign. Order. Reestablished.”
One smooth pullback allows the blood to drip across Ravencroft’s toes and enough space to abandon Temperance’s twitching figure over the edge.
“Franklin,” she states to one of the men who helped the deceased piece of royalty to her watery grave. “Chum.”
“Yes, Madam,” he replies and tucks his weapon away to do what he’s been instructed to do.
“Longworth.” Her foot twists to the side. “Feet.”
The other male that had been previously assisting in the holding of my partners hostage immediately puts away his gun, drops to his knees, and retrieves his pocket square to begin his task.
“Wow,” breathes Salay in admiration, “you’re like Great White with phenomenal legs.”
“And an ass that won’t ever retire.” The single remaining man left hustles over to clean the blood coating her palm. “Greet them.”
I instantly rush over to the only two people I don’t wanna live without and wind my arms aggressively around both.
“Thank fuck, you’re okay,” Garcia murmurs into my neck, fingers latching possessively onto a fistful of my shirt. “Estaba preocupado.”