Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 94834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Shit,” Zade spits, grabbing me and shoving me hard into Dalton’s chest, his steel grip closing around my arms. “The three of you go hide her. Don’t let her out of your fucking sight, got it? I’m going to end this now.”
They nod, and before I know it, Zade disappears into the crowd like a fucking ghost, but I don’t get a chance to linger on it as Dalton drags me away with Sawyer and Cross hot on our heels. They move like lightning, and as I struggle to keep up, Dalton’s grip on my arm is the only thing keeping me on my feet.
We push through to a private storeroom and Sawyer locks it behind us before shoving a hardback chair under the handle. I’m knocked aside as the boys immediately start to pace. This must be the room the caterers are using for extra storage. “How did we fucking miss this?” Dalton roars. “A hit in front of the whole fucking society. That’s the kind of betrayal you don’t come back from.”
“They want him to look weak,” Sawyer says, his eyes wild. “They’re going to turn the whole society against him, making them think he can’t handle it.”
I throw myself back toward them, the anger blasting through my chest, not even caring that they’re suddenly talking openly in front of me and are probably on the verge of answering some of those darker questions I’m probably not ready for. Right now, I have my own set of questions, and I won’t stop until I get what I’m looking for. “One of you assholes better tell me what the fuck is going on right now or I—”
“Or you’ll what?” Cross demands, stepping in front of me, just as lethal as Zade.
Without even taking a second to think it over, I curl my hand into a tight fist and nail him with the hardest uppercut I can possibly manage, watching as he sucks in a sharp breath. “I’m not fucking scared of you,” I lie. “Now answer my fucking question before I tear your balls out through your throat.”
Cross’s jaw clenches and Dalton shoves between us, pushing us apart. “Enough of the bullshit,” he says. “Both of you sit your fucking asses down. We’ve got bigger problems than this.”
“Then go right ahead and enlighten me, asshole,” I demand, refusing to back down. “Who sent me that invitation?”
Dalton shakes his head, the frustration in his eyes making it clear he’s not going to answer.
“Just great,” I scoff. “After what you did to me, you fucking owe me. Now tell me what I need to know.”
Sawyer whips around. “We don’t fucking know, alright? It’s probably the same prick who left that calling card in your room.”
I fall back a step, gaping at him. “Wait, that wasn’t you?” I question, my voice shaking at the thought of there being someone else after me. “I thought it was Zade.”
Sawyer’s face scrunches with confusion. “Why the fuck would Zade leave you a calling card when he doesn’t want you to know shit about any of this?” He lets out a breath and goes back to pacing in front of the door. “Look, just sit down and shut up, and we’ll all be out of here soon.”
“I—” I shake my head, the unease and wariness making me feel sick. Not knowing what else to do, I walk across the room and crack open a wooden carton before peering in with a smile. My hand curls around the neck of a bottle, and I pull it out, glancing over the label and not understanding a word of it. Though it’s definitely French, so it must be good.
Popping the top, I bring the bottle right to my lips. If I’m going to suffer in here with two assholes and a backstabber, then the best I can do is make sure I don’t remember it.
Chapter 16
OAKLEY
The expensive French Champagne makes its way through my body, taking away the unease and fear of being locked in this room, and suddenly making me feel much braver than I actually am. The bottle is just about empty as I shuffle around the room, watching the way my golden gown swishes with my movements.
I’m a princess. A horny princess. All I need is a pretty tiara, a castle, and a strapping young man packing a lot of heat. I’d be the happiest girl in the world.
The thought of ever being able to accomplish something like that has an unladylike chuckle forcing its way through my lips, and the sound has Dalton’s head pulling up. He watches me with desire, and I like it so much, but I’ll be damned if I let him touch me again. Though that doesn’t mean I can’t make him hurt.
I lock my eyes onto his as I keep my body moving through the room. My fingers brush over my collarbone and I watch as his attention drops to my hand. I slowly skim it down my body, between the plunging neckline of my gown, and let a seductive smile fly free across my face.