Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Levi opened the rear door of the Bentley – one of several luxurious cars that Knox kept stored in the garage. Once Harper and Knox slid inside, Levi drove along the long, curved drive; passing the extensive, beautifully landscaped lawn and the security gatehouse.
The estate was bordered by high, brick walls that would have been plain had it not been for the ivy that trailed along them. At first, Harper had felt a little intimidated by the size of the estate. It was a far cry from the many homes she’d grown up in with her nomadic father. But now… well, now it felt like home.
The mansion was an expansive, lavish, beautiful piece of modern architecture, but it wasn’t excessively extravagant. Wasn’t showy or ostentatious. Instead, it possessed a warm elegance and the same undeniable charm as its owner.
It also had blue-tinted, bulletproof windows that Harper found totally awesome.
As the black, heavy, metal gates swung open, Knox spoke. “How do you feel about going somewhere for a few days? Maybe spend some time on the yacht?”
Considering she was used to his overprotective ways, Harper figured she really should have seen this coming. Crossing one leg over the other, she gave him a sideways glance. “Really, Knox, I’m not traumatized by what happened. I don’t need to get away from Vegas.”
Knox stroked her thigh. “No one would blame you if you did. It hasn’t exactly been a relaxing place for you over the past year. Plenty of people would want a break from it in your position.”
“I’m not plenty of people. Knox, seriously, I really am fine.”
Knox could sense that she truly believed that, but he wasn’t convinced – not given that her body was screaming, “stressed!” He knew she was far from fragile, but it was difficult to remember that when she looked so drained and weary. “I need you to promise that if you do feel overwhelmed —” he gently tapped her temple “— you’ll call me.”
“I promise.”
“And I need you to also promise me that you’ll be alert. There is a possibility that more hunters will be sent. I doubt it, because, although hunters are greedy, they aren’t stupid enough to pursue something that got two others killed. Still, there might be some who’ll do it for the right price. Everyone has a price.”
“I’ll be alert,” she vowed.
“Good girl.” He kissed her softly, barely resisting the urge to take her mouth hard and feast on her. He held himself in check, but it was a struggle. “I don’t know who found out that you can fly. The sentinels know, your family knows – it’s possible that someone overheard one of them talk of it. If so, I suspect that someone may have passed on this information to another person who would want it. Either that or they themselves covet your wings. They may also know just how unique your wings are.”
“If they do know, they didn’t tell the hunters. They were sincerely surprised when they saw the colors of my wings.”
“In any case, they obviously have no idea that you can conjure the flames of hell or I doubt they would have risked trying to obtain your wings.” The flames of hell could destroy anything aside from archdemons – nothing else was impervious to the flames, which was why Knox took great care in ensuring the demon world didn’t discover that he truly could call on them.
As a disturbing thought occurred to Harper, she sat up straighter. “Or maybe that’s why they did it. If someone was in possession of wings that were sort of… birthed from the flames of hell… they’d have a lot of fucking power if there was some way they were able to tap into it. The kind of power only you could fight.”
Knox twisted his mouth, pondering it. “True, but I don’t believe they could tap into it. Not unless they have some way of fusing your wings to them – and I’m quite sure that’s impossible.”
“It doesn’t mean there isn’t someone who’s willing to try it. It’s just something we should consider.”
“And we will,” he assured her. “While we’re busy finding who’s behind the attack, we’ll have to put aside our investigations into the remaining Horsemen.”
“Which could be exactly what someone wants,” she pointed out. “The Horsemen could have hired the hunters to either piss you off or distract you – maybe even both.”
That was something he had already considered. “Yes, but I need to be sure. Any immediate threat to you needs to be eliminated.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’d feel a lot better if you’d agree to learn how to call on the flames. Then you could have called on them yesterday.”
“I caused a lot of destruction last time.” Enough to scare her into never wanting to do it ever again.