Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
I blew out more smoke and turned to Shi. “My job here is done.”
She said nothing.
I doubt one of them is the killer.
I studied her.
But what about you?
Shi stirred.
The driver opened the door.
Shi rose and left the limo.
I watched the whole time.
We’ll see.
For all I knew, she was fleeing the limo due to my and everyone else being crazy.
Suddenly, Bernard punched Horace, and the men began fighting.
Wow.
I climbed out, thinking about how the smallest change made in a moment could have a profound rippling effect that touched every aspect of life.
Granted, this limo ride wasn’t a small change. It was massive. I had been super extra. However, other moments, when I did one tiny different thing, people said other stuff or acted in different ways.
One of the many lessons that I had learned from this situation, this time loop, was that I would be more mindful of my choices and the paths that I would take.
Because I knew more than ever, we had the power to shape our own futures and create the lives we wanted to live, just from making one small change to set us on a new course.
Outside of the limo, I stepped away.
The poor driver hurried into the now rocking vehicle to stop the fighting.
Far off, I spotted Shi rushing off to the manor.
Either my new assistant had had quite enough of us, or she was preparing to kill me?
Wait a minute.
I looked around and searched for Ethan.
He wasn’t there.
Why didn’t he come out? Is he no longer trapped in the loop with me?
Fear shivered through me.
It was wrong to want him stuck with me, but. . .I didn’t want to be alone.
Then, I saw Jackson leave the manor.
Maybe, he knows where Ethan is.
I strolled forward.
A minute later, Jackson and I met each other by the stairs.
The tall man looked down at me. “Mr. Vanderbilt would like me to take you to his office.”
“Okay.”
Jackson gave me an odd look. “Mr. Vanderbilt says, ‘He has a new plan.’”
Chapter 16
Lessons
Jackson and I entered the huge mansion and navigated our way through the elegant chattering crowd as we headed to Ethan's office.
However, this moment was different.
Usually, the hallway was lined with the warm glow of hundreds of candles.
This time, armed security outlined the halls, and the candles were gone.
O-kay, Ethan. You must be just as fed up with this time loop as me.
I continued to follow Jackson.
Off in the distance the clinking of glasses sounded, and the raucous laughter of the guests filled the air.
When we passed a large room of tons of masked guests in deep fun-filled conversation, I noticed another difference.
Oh shit.
The waiters no longer wore those glittering gold masks with intricate designs.
Meanwhile, they still donned the long, hooded capes.
I see what you did right there, Ethan.
He must have ordered the party planner to make sure that no servers wore masks. This way if a person did come for us with a mask, we would know damned well that was the killer.
Smart.
This was the sort of small change that could have huge rippling effects.
Jackson stopped us at Ethan's office door and opened it. “After you, ma'am.”
“Thank you.” I stepped inside the large space and spotted Ethan aiming a gun at the grandfather clock.
Oh my.
Then, he lowered it. “This will work.”
Jackson remained in the doorway. “Will you be needing anything else, sir?”
“My mother will be arriving this evening. Make sure that all the bartenders know to water down her drinks.”
Strolling forward, I took off my mask and placed it on one of the leather couches.
“Okay, sir.”
Ethan put the gun on his desk and picked up another. “Also, make sure that my mother has only one server who remains near her and provides the watered down drinks and champagne.”
“Yes, sir.” Jackson nodded. “I will do that immediately.”
“Good.” Somehow Ethan pulled down the butt of the gun, glanced at the bullets within the magazine, and then closed the gun again. “Lock this door from the outside.”
“O-kay, sir.” Worry hit Jackson's face as he pulled out keys from his jacket and then shut the door.
A click sounded.
I turned my view back to Ethan and strolled over. “It looks like we are going to enter John Wick mode with this moment.”
“I never saw those movies, but I believe you're correct.” He lowered the gun to his side and gazed at me. “Have you ever shot a gun?”
I got to him. “No.”
He leveled his gaze at me, a smoldering fire blazed behind his eyes. “I enjoyed our moment in the library.”
I blushed. “I did too.”
“Your pussy?”
I widened my eyes in surprise.
“That's now mine.” No humor lay in his voice. It sounded like a clear assertion that he would not back down on.
“Oh.” A sly smile played on my lips. “Is that how that works?”
“It is. That is mine now, along with the rest of your body, especially your heart.”