Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
His large hands rest on my shoulders, and I turn my head to see the tattoos etched on his fingers. One in particular catches my eye: a black raven flying over a river of blood. He got it a month ago, after a night we swore never to mention again. We’ve never spoken of it, but that night replays in my mind repeatedly. A perfect memory etched in sorrow.
Alaric smiles. “Can’t have my little sis not believing she’s the belle of the ball, now, can I?” His words are charming, but his eyes lurk, gliding from my face to my breasts and telling me that night is also present in his mind.
The staff rush out and place the various courses of the meal before us. My stomach becomes a brick, repulsed at the idea of consuming food when my heart is in a million tattered pieces.
I push my food around on the porcelain plate in silence, creating an illusion of enjoying the feast before me. I nod at statements made, not processing the words that reach my ears. Words resonate like white noise. I can’t focus on anything other than losing my anchor. The man who wrapped me in safety is gone, and the treachery of the turbulent ocean is no longer held at bay.
“Ella.” Alaric’s deep voice breaks through my musings.
I look up to see my three stepbrothers leering at me. I feel like a little rabbit surrounded by a pack of rabid wolves.
“I asked what your plans are now,” my stepmother says. “It’s been a month since your father’s passing. I’m sure you have plans in mind.”
A month? I’ve lost my only family, and this woman talks about my father’s death like he was a pet goldfish. “My father died, Celeste. Grief isn’t something you process quickly.”
I’m about to say more and lay it on the line for this woman, but I freeze in shock as River’s hand lands on my knee. When did he move his chair? I swallow audibly, trying to ignore his touch, unsure if it’s wanted. A part of me wants to jump up and blast him for being so bold, but that night flashes in my mind, and shame floods me at the longing I harbor for the heat of his hand on my skin.
I stare Celeste down. “I’m surprised you’ve moved on so quickly.”
Celeste gasps, her hand flying to her chest as if I’ve mortally wounded her with an invisible sword. “I’m in a lot of pain, Ella. Charles was the love of my life. I don’t know if I can go on without him.”
I roll my eyes at her dramatic response. Her indignation is as fake as the non-existent tears she shed at my father’s burial. “Maybe you should have jumped into his grave with him. It would’ve been a poetic ending to your love story.”
River chuckles beside me, throwing me off. Ignoring him, I return my attention to Celeste. “I’m not planning to go anywhere. This is my house. This is where my father raised me. Right now, my only plan is to grieve.”
River laughs again and squeezes my thigh before removing his uninvited touch from my person. “I like the idea of you being around, Ella. It gives me more time to get to know my little sister.”
My body reacts when River says, “little sister.” Two words that should be innocent yet sound blasphemous on his lips.
Celeste clears her throat. “That’s understandable, dear.
Sure it is, you black widow.
I busy myself with my food and copious amounts of liquor for the rest of dinner, hoping I can leave the meal unscathed if I don’t make eye contact with anyone.
“Maybe we can go for a drive tomorrow,” Alaric suggests, his blue eyes searching mine.
I can’t bear to look at him, so I focus on his hands. Bad idea because my mind floods with images of those calloused fingers gliding over my skin. As illogical as it is, I can’t help thinking that night was forged in sin, and my father’s death was the punishment I received.
“Alaric, don’t forget, we have a meeting with the lawyers tomorrow,” Celeste interjects.
“Lawyers?” I ask.
Stepmother dearest turns her beady eyes on me with contention. “Yes, lawyers, dear,” she says smoothly, placing one hand on top of the other. “Now that everything’s settled, we need to find out what will happen with the estate. We need to ensure that you’re all taken care of. It’s what Charles would have wanted after all.”
I wave a hand around the table. “As far as I can tell, we’re all adults here, so I don’t understand what needs to be taken care of.”
Celeste narrows her eyes on me and smiles. “You never know, dear. Better to be safe than sorry.”
I turn to Alaric. I know what I’m about to suggest is a bad idea, but the need to get under Celeste’s skin overrides all logic. “Perhaps we can do something after your appointment.”