Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 145942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 730(@200wpm)___ 584(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 730(@200wpm)___ 584(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“It is,” King says, still leading me out of here, desperate to get up into the real world and figure out where the fuck Ember went and who she’s with. Though I’m sure we can figure that out pretty easily. “But the tunnels were here before we were. Just like the ballroom, we had to build everything around the tunnels and I guess that’s exactly what happened with the cells.”
“FUCK.”
“Yeah,” Carver agrees, realizing just how much shit we’re in.
“What do we do now?”
“First, we need to get the fuck out of here, and then we need to make sure that whoever’s estate is built on top of it isn’t going to fucking cave in,” Carver says. “After that, we have a fucking big-ass party to organize.”
Well, shit. A party is the last thing we need now. We knew a party would lure out Paris, but now that Ember is back in her ear, it’s practically a guarantee and we better be fucking ready. Though one thing is for sure, that out I just offered Ember can be shoved right up her ass. I’m done playing nice, and just as I promised, she better be watching her back.
CHAPTER 21
The deep red strapless gown sails down my body like a second skin and I can’t help but feel like the sexiest creature who ever lived, but why shouldn’t I? Tonight’s party is my first official event after rising from the dead and it’s a guarantee that I’ll be going all out. I mean, why not? It’s a big occasion, one of the biggest that Dynasty has ever had and for the majority of the night, all eyes will be on me.
I step out of Carver’s brand-new Escalade into a world of dazzling beauty, absolutely shocked by the sight before me. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before … apart from on TV of course, but it’s certainly something I never expected for myself.
It’s the royal fucking treatment.
There’s a red carpet that’s been rolled out with people scattered on either side, more than I’ve ever seen before, each one of them desperately wanting to get a look at every last person who’s been deemed important enough to get to walk it. I stare for a moment, unable to move one foot in front of the other as people start screaming my name.
I can’t believe my eyes. There were hundreds of people at my fake funeral, but tonight’s event just goes to show exactly how far and wide Dynasty spans, and just how many people I have counting on me.
Cruz’s arm slips into mine and gives me a gentle tug, kick starting my night. “You’re the fucking belle of the ball,” he tells me, the pride radiating out of him in waves.
“I shouldn’t be,” I murmur, smiling at the younger children calling my name and giving small waves, wanting each and every one of them to feel seen and valued, something that I missed out on during my childhood. “Tonight isn’t even about me. It’s for the new members of Dynasty.”
“We could be welcoming Freddie Mercury back from the dead and the masses would still call your name,” he says, his eyes sparkling with adoration. “You’re their only hope of change. You’ve declared that you’re going to kick Paris’ ass, and after news of your involvement saving all of our siblings, you’ve become a god among us. You’re their hero. Elodie Ravenwood can do no wrong.”
I press my lips together and shake my head. Clearly these guys need to have a good chat with Karleigh and then I’m sure they’ll adjust their high opinions of me, because damn, doing wrong is all I’ve ever known. “That’s taking it a bit far, don’t you think? I’m not the girl who should be put on a pedestal. I just want to do what I got to do and then move on. There’s nothing great about that.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he grins. “I bet half the dudes in this place would happily wipe your ass for you if it meant a night alone with the Queen of Ravenwood Heights. You have an air about you. You exude legendary vibes with everything you do and you just happen to look like a fucking goddess while you’re doing it. Taking a stand during your own damn funeral—it’s shit like that these people will never forget.”
“Ugh,” I groan, rolling my eyes as we pass through the crowd and approach the main entrance of tonight’s venue. “Quit it with the ass-kissing.”
“Can’t,” he laughs. “I don’t know if you’ve realized this or not, but you’ve fucked everyone since coming home last week, except for me, so you better fucking believe that I’m going to do all the ass-kissing that it takes because I can’t hold out any longer.”
I laugh. “It’s not my fault that you’ve been out with Grayson saving those little girls’ lives these past few nights. You missed your shot. I had no choice but to crawl into King’s bed instead, and man, he did me good. Even if I wanted to wait up for you, I had no hope. I’ve never been so exhausted. Poor Carver. He had to listen the whole time and couldn’t help coming to watch the show.”