Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Sitting in bed with pent-up energy made me entirely too restless, and if I were being honest, I would rather hear anyone else’s thoughts but my own at that moment. After slipping on some yoga pants and a long-sleeved tee, pulling my hair back in a messy top-knot, I’d headed toward the most popular haunt this time of evening—the informal dining room. For some reason, I actually had an appetite. I hated that thinking that this sudden burst of energy and hunger could mean the worst—that I was transitioning into the last hurrah stage of my life—but the thought was there all the same.
Ignoring it, I focused on my hunt for those muffins the baker constantly piled on the wide table in the dining room. Walking through Alek’s mansion never ceased to amaze me—it was gorgeous and massive yet had such a homey atmosphere I couldn’t help but feel like I belonged here. And the certainty that I wouldn’t be able to have a future here with Ajax made me bubble with anger at the unfairness of it all.
Stop with the pity party, Grace. It’s not a good look on you.
I nodded to myself, rounding the corner and stepping into the main residence’s entryway, the last stop before I’d find my muffin fix another hallway down.
“You honestly think I’d welcome you with open arms? Are you out of your fucking mind?” Ransom’s voice took on that predatory tone I’d heard a couple of times when anyone had done anything even remotely dangerous around his pregnant mate, Olivia—you know, like light a candle or wear too much perfume. Most the time the way he protected and cared for her was incredibly romantic, but Olivia was nowhere in sight now.
Instead, a male vampire stood in front of him, one hand holding a black duffle bag, the other shoved into the pocket of a suit that likely cost more than my entire life savings. The sleek navy-blue fabric was cut to his body, showing off tons of carved muscle that was more lithe than bulky. His hair was cut short and was so black it almost looked blue and his dark eyes were so familiar.
“Warrick!” Cassandra’s voice echoed from down the opposite hallway, her massive panther prowling behind her as she ran to the male and threw her arms around his neck. He wrapped his free arm around her side, but never took his eyes off Ransom.
Smart of him, because Ransom looked like he wanted to tear his throat out.
“I didn’t think you’d show up here,” Cassandra said, releasing him and switching back to that beautiful severity she normally exuded now that she’d gotten her excitement out of the way.
Fucking Zorins. Ransom’s voice filtered into my mind, and I did my best to block him out, but maintaining my shields was getting harder every day.
Zorin.
Oh, now that made a whole lot of sense. Warrick’s eyes were the same dark brown shade as Cassandra’s, the color of freshly ground espresso. This was her brother.
I chewed on my lip, watching the exchange before finally deciding I’d better just quietly make my way to the muffins—
“I came here to train,” Warrick said. “And to give you this.” He handed a piece of paper to Cassandra, and my feet froze when I recognized the format.
It was another list of targets from the Sons.
“The fuck you’re here for training,” Ransom said. “Your family tried to slaughter my mate—”
“My father,” Warrick cut him off, his jaw going taut. “My being here should prove I wasn’t aligned with his zealous antics. I never have been. And neither has she.” He motioned to Cassandra, who looked up from the list with something close to pity and shame in her eyes. I’ve only gotten pieces of her story, but she’d only ever been kind to me. “That’s a peace offering,” he continued, pointing at the paper in his sister’s hand.
“I don’t give a fuck, Zorin,” Ransom spat. “Cassandra has proven her loyalty to Alek, but you show up unannounced and expect to be welcomed into the assassin fold?”
“No,” Warrick answered, somehow keeping his composure. I’d be terrified if Ransom were directing all that anger at me, but seeing as I was just a spectator at this point, I was okay. “Of course not. I understand it will take time for you and yours to trust me. That’s why I’m here. It never sat right with me what happened between our families, and I’m here to show you what side I stand on.” He raised his hands in an innocent gesture.
Cassandra noticed me then, giving me a soft smile and waving me over. I skirted behind Ransom, going to her side and giving her panther a soft pet between his shoulder blades, his favorite spot. Yes, Ajax had nearly lost his shit when I’d befriended the creature, but could he really blame me? He was just a giant kitty cat who loved to lounge with us girls when we had downtime. And he was so soft.