Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 131926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
I just blink. “I never thought about it like that, which I guess is kinda stupid, but it makes sense. I don’t know, I guess I never gave a second thought to just how big this really is,” I tell him before my eyes go wide and my head whips around to meet his stare. My voice kicks up a notch. “I have to give a speech in front of that many people?”
Carver just grins as the main gate slides open. “Sucks to be you.”
Fucker.
We drive through the streets for ten minutes, neither of us really knowing how to have a casual conversation with one another. Not even the soft music from the radio fills the silence between us.
Carver brings the Escalade to a stop after exactly eleven minutes of driving, and just like with the underground city beneath our homes, he pulls into a parking garage that takes us deep underground. “Dynasty really is built right under Ravenwood Heights.”
“You haven’t even seen the half of it,” he tells me. “Just wait ‘til you see the size of this ballroom. It’ll blow you the fuck away.”
“And here I was thinking that nothing could blow better than me.”
Carver just scoffs and brings his car to a stop right in the very front space that’s reserved with a sign ‘RAVENWOOD.’
“Ahh, it finally makes sense,” I tease as Carver pushes his door wide, stopping to look back at me through narrowed eyes, knowing me all too well that whatever comment comes out of my mouth is going to be as stupid as they come. “You escorted me just so you could get the best parking space.”
He rolls his eyes and gets out of his car as the words “fucking hell,” are muttered so lowly under his breath that I’m left wondering if I even heard them at all.
I start helping myself out, but Carver rushes around and takes my hand, not wanting me to fall in this big dress. His hand is firm on mine, his thumb gently brushing over my knuckles. He meets my eyes, but not a word is muttered as he leads me through the parking garage and toward a door.
We walk through and it’s like walking through to the lobby of a grand, five-star hotel. There are waiters rushing around the brightly lit room, people are checking their jackets, and hostesses are handing off glasses of champagne to guests in the most stunning ball gowns. For just a brief moment, I feel severely underdressed.
At the end of the room, there’s a set of massive double doors, and I have a sneaking suspicion that’s the main entrance of the grand ballroom. We’re offered a glass of champagne and I take it gratefully before Carver leads me toward the main entrance. He offers me his elbow and I instantly raise a brow, looking at him in shock. “Don’t start acting like a gentleman on my account.”
He scoffs, still holding out his elbow until I reluctantly take it. “It’s tradition. A lady must be escorted properly into the Ball. Cruz did the same for Ember, though the term ‘lady’ is being used lightly when it comes to you.”
I ignore Carver’s last comment with a roll of my eyes as my heart flutters thinking about how damn sweet Cruz is. He is honestly the most kind-hearted person I’ve ever met. The fact that he’s also a badass, alpha, overprotective killer with a devilish smile is just the cherry on top.
We reach the doors and Carver pauses for just a second. “Are you ready for this?” he asks. “Everyone’s going to be looking at you, and they’re going to expect you to be as graceful as a fucking swan.”
“Well I hope they don’t disappoint easily because I’m about as graceful as a ham sandwich.”
Carver rolls his eyes and brings me to a stop in front of the massive doors. I hear the music pulsing from behind them and I swallow back the fear that threatens to rise in my throat. This is going to be great. The guys are all going to be there, looking all sorts of delicious, while Ember will be keeping me sane. I can do this. The attention will only be on me for a minute, and once all the bitchy ladies judge my dress, they’ll forget about me and get back to the party.
There’s no need to kill anyone’s father tonight.
Carver nods toward the two men in tuxedos waiting by the door, and for a brief second, I’m left wondering who these guys are and what their relationship to Dynasty is. If they were part of the organization, they’d be on the other side of the door enjoying the party, but they’re working and are clearly privy to the fact that we have an underground world. So who the hell are they? I thought Dynasty was supposed to be some big secret, but there are outsiders working the party. That doesn’t make sense.