Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Thank you for coming, Inna,” our uncle says. “We can’t wait for you to join the St. Monarch’s family. I’ll have a family suite readied for you.”
My sister smiles brightly. “I’ll see you in two weeks.” Then she turns her attention to me. “Don’t kill any of the attendees during your last two weeks.”
“I’ll do my best,” I mutter, not making any promises. “I’ll walk you out.”
After leaving the office, Inna asks, “Is the meeting with Tshimaga still set for the end of the month?”
I nod, then say, “You don’t have to attend. I can handle it.”
Inna lets out an amused chuckle. “When will you stop trying to keep me from dealing with the rebels?”
“Never.” We reach the castle's front doors, where we stop to finish the conversation. “Let me deal with the dangerous aspect of the business. Your children need you alive.”
Inna stares at me for a solid minute, and I’m just starting to think she’s going to tell me to go to hell when she nods. “If that’s what you want.”
My eyebrows fly up again. “Really? You’re agreeing?”
“Pfft.” She rolls her eyes at me. “Don’t make a big deal of it. Like you said, my children need me.” She waves a hand at the foyer. “Besides, I’ll be busy here.”
Inna’s eyes lock on the stairs, and it has me glancing over my shoulder. Abigail is standing at the top of the staircase, her arms full with her paint supplies and her eyes locked on my sister.
“Anyway,” Inna murmurs, “I’ll see you soon. Don’t miss me too much.” She presses another kiss on my cheek, and we give each other a tight hug.
“Hold on a second.” I glance at Abigail, and not wanting any misunderstandings, I say, “Come meet my sister.”
Surprise flutters over her face, and she descends the stairs. With her arms full, the two women can’t shake hands, but Abigail smiles at Inna. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Abigail Sartori.”
Inna tilts her head, her eyes darting between Abigail and me, then she gives me a questioning look.
I nod, answering her unspoken question, and it makes her smile widely. She turns her attention back to Abigail. “The pleasure is mine.”
My sister's eyes drift over the bruises on Abigail’s face, but wisely she doesn’t comment on them.
“I wish I could stay, but my flight is waiting,” Inna says before she gives me a mischievous look. “I’ll call Mom and tell her the good news.”
The good news being Abigail. God help me. Mom will blow up my phone with her calls.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” I grumble playfully.
Inna just chuckles as she walks out of the castle.
I watch her climb into the back of an armored SUV, and only when the vehicle drives toward the gate do I turn around to find Abigail staring at me.
“What good news?” she asks.
I take the easel and canvas bag from her and start to walk toward the back of the castle. “Inna is taking over as combat instructor.”
“Oh.” I can feel Abigail’s eyes on me and meet her gaze as she asks, “When will you leave?”
“In two weeks.”
“Oh.”
Christ, there’s no way I’ll be able to leave Abigail here.
Only when we step out of the side door and make our way to the waterfall do I say, “I think a vacation would do you a world of good.”
She lets out an empty-sounding chuckle. “If only miracles happened.”
I set the easel down, and Abigail moves it into the position she wants. When she takes the canvas bag from me, she murmurs, “Thanks.”
My eyes are glued to her face as I blurt out the proposal, “Come home with me.”
Her gaze darts to my face, and she gapes at me. “What?”
Not wanting her to feel pressured, I quickly add, “Just for a short while. You’ll love the island, and you can paint to your heart’s delight. Take a break from St. Monarch’s and the pressures of life.”
“I…ahh…”
When uncertainty flashes over her face, I say, “You don’t have to give me an answer now. Think about it.”
Abigail nods, but she seems nervous as she places a blank canvas on the easel. Her eyes only dart to me for a second. “You don’t have to stay. I know you’re busy with work.”
Work can fucking wait.
Stepping closer, my tone is cautious when I mention, “I saw the black painting. Are you struggling to find inspiration?”
She lets out a miserable sigh. “I was just having a bad day.”
Wanting to distract her from her trauma, I take another step closer to her and ask, “Will you give me a painting lesson.”
The corner of her mouth lifts. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”
Shrugging, I shove a hand in my pocket. “Explain what everything is for. Show me how you hold the brush. Start with the little things.”
A small smile plays around her lips as she nods. “Okay, but I can’t guarantee you’ll learn anything.”