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)
A coldness sweeps over Easton and his stare almost becomes deadly. “Zade slit his throat.”
The charcoal falls from my hands as a horrified gasp slips from between my lips, and I can’t help but turn my gaze on Zade again. I knew he was vicious. I knew he had the ability to effortlessly take another man’s life, but his father? His own flesh and blood? “Why would he do that?” I question in a low tone, my heart racing a million miles per hour.
“Why does anyone do anything?” Easton challenges. “For power.”
Unease settles into my chest, and I pick up the charcoal, attempting to concentrate on what I’m doing, but the will just isn’t there anymore. Sensing that this new information has rattled me, Dalton moves toward us and glances down at the portrait, his brows shooting up. “Holy shit,” he says. “Are you some kind of artist? That’s fucking amazing.”
I glance over my drawing, taking in the subtle, feminine curve of my face, those haunted features perfectly depicting the fear I've felt over the past two weeks. My gaze travels up to the eyes and a proud smile settles over my lips as I realize just how perfectly I captured the similarities between Easton’s snake and the one weaving in and out of the portrait’s eye sockets.
It truly is a haunting image. Gothic and lonely, while also so poetic.
Hearing Dalton’s remarks, Sawyer shuffles over to glance over it, and I watch as his brows shoot up too. He scoffs, the sound a strange mix of amused and impressed. “And you say we’re fucked up,” he comments before nodding to himself. “That looks just like Venom. It’s uncanny.”
“Venom?” I question.
“My snake,” Easton says before passing his phone back to me. “Show me.”
I take a quick picture and hand his phone back almost faster than he gave it to me, not wanting him to think I’m holding onto it any longer than necessary. “Not bad,” he says. “You finished?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I mean, there’s always more details I could add, but yeah. I think I’m done.”
Easton nods and pushes to his feet. “I gotta get out of here,” he says, reaching down for his shirt, but thankfully not pulling it on. After all, to see him put his shirt on and ruin the drawing so soon after finishing it would break my heart. I don’t know what I was hoping for though. It’s not like he’s going to be able to do much with all that charcoal on his back.
Easton doesn’t bother with a goodbye and just takes off, leaving me alone with Dalton and Sawyer while Zade continues to make demands on his phone. I stretch up, my body cramping from leaning over Easton for the past hour, and as soon as I feel the blood starting to pump again, I reach for the napkin that lays discarded from my lunch.
Getting to my feet, I try to wipe all the charcoal off my fingers, but it’s no use. I’m going to need a good shower and a scrubbing brush if I want to feel clean again. “I’m umm . . . I’m gonna go back down to Zade’s apartment and try to get this shit off,” I say, my mind focused on my fingers.
Dalton nods. “I’ll come down with you.”
I give him a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes as I grab what’s left of the charcoal sticks and dump them on my lunch tray. I hoist it all into my arms and make my way back to the elevator when Sawyer falls into my other side. I glance up at him with a questioning stare, and he looks back at me as though I’m a fool to be questioning him. “What?” he mutters. “You think I’m staying up here so I can listen to Zade talkin’ shit on that phone all day? Fuck that.”
“Good point,” I laugh.
We step into the elevator and the second the door closes, the tension in the small metal box skyrockets. I suck in a breath, watching Dalton from the corner of my eye as he discreetly moves in behind me.
I close my eyes, feeling his closeness despite not laying a single finger on me. “Is there something you need?” I question, already panting. I know exactly what he wants, and damn it, I’m going to give it to him.
He groans low and I feel him move into me, his sweet breath brushing across my neck. My knees shake, and I feel his rock-hard cock grind against me. “You know damn well what I need.”
My head tilts, inviting him in when the elevator jolts, coming to a violent stop. My eyes spring open as a soft gasp escapes my lips. I glance over to find Sawyer’s finger on the emergency stop button and his hungry stare locked on me.