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)
Zade presses his lips into a tight line before letting out a heavy breath. He steps back and pulls out a chair at his dining table, indicating for me to take a seat. I do just that, stepping out of Dalton’s space and reluctantly moving past Zade.
I take a seat as Zade moves to the opposite end of the table, bracing his hands against the back of the chair while Dalton comes closer and leans against the edge of the counter. I can’t help but feel as though I’ve been called to the principal’s office, and when Sawyer and Cross start to move in too, that feeling only gets stronger.
They glance between themselves before Zade finally gives it to me straight, a pain clear in his tone at having to tell me this, and I’m left wondering what the hell could be so bad. “My name is Zade DeVil,” he starts. His surname makes me gasp, realizing he doesn’t just own this penthouse, but the whole damn hotel. “And the four of us are part of an organization by the name of Empire. We’re the largest and most powerful secret society in the country, built on blood, power, and sacrifice.”
I arch a brow, not impressed in the slightest. “You mean a group of asshole college bros who couldn’t get laid so they formed some exclusive club. Virgins united?”
Zade gives me a blank stare. “I don’t care how you perceive our organization, but you know damn well that’s not at all what we’re about. You saw last night’s event, and you saw the familiar faces in the crowd. You’d be a fool to belittle our reach.”
I hate that he’s right. I did see the faces in the crowd. Politicians, cops, judges. This organization is probably bigger than I could ever wrap my head around. “So, what?” I ask, playing ball. “You’re a bunch of over-privileged rich pricks who have the ability to influence things within the community or politics.”
Dalton nods from the edge of the counter. “That among other things.”
“Okay. So when you say you have reach, just how far does that go?”
Zade shakes his head, not willing to discuss the type of strings Empire can pull.
“Alright then, tell me this,” I say, accepting there’s a line drawn in the sand and that he won’t tolerate me trying to cross it. I lift my gaze to his, my heart starting to race. “Have you killed people for this organization?”
He doesn’t respond, but I see the answer clear in his eyes.
I nod, starting to grasp just how powerful this group really is while the knowledge of his callous nature really starts to sink in. He’s killed before, maybe multiple times, and the fact that he’s standing here before me means that he’s gotten away with it every damn time. “And Empire allows for you to be able to do things like that without getting caught?”
He nods. “More or less.”
Well, shit.
“Okay, so you’re this big, powerful organization, but what the hell does it have to do with me?” I ask, glancing between them. “I’ve never even heard of Empire before, and I’m sure as hell not some undercover politician with a secret agenda to assassinate the competition. I’m just some normal girl, trying to pay her way through college without getting my ass grabbed at work.”
Zade raises his chin, his gaze narrowing and becoming suspicious. “That’s what we thought you could help us understand,” he says. “Your name was given to me, as you saw from that photograph in my apartment. I’ve been tasked to protect you. Only, I can’t figure out why.”
I shake my head, my heart dropping right out of my ass. “What are you . . . are you saying someone wants me dead?”
“Seems that way, doesn’t it?”
My chest heaves, and I feel a panic attack coming on. This is the type of shit you see in movies, not in real life. Besides, I’m a fucking treat, who would want me dead? I mean, I’m not great at paying my taxes, and I’ve been known to park in no-stopping zones, but surely that doesn’t qualify for the death penalty.
“I . . . I swear, I—” I cut myself off, the fear making my eyes water. “What do I do?”
Cross scoffs. “You don’t show up to balls you had no right being at for starters.”
I stare at my hands on the table. “I thought you guys sent me that invitation. I found it at work when I was clocking in. It was like someone had been waiting for me to show up then stuck it there as though they knew I’d be the first to see it. You guys literally follow me there every shift, plus I found that calling card with that photo of me, so was it really such a stretch to assume it’d been from you?”