Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 176345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 882(@200wpm)___ 705(@250wpm)___ 588(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 882(@200wpm)___ 705(@250wpm)___ 588(@300wpm)
“You saw something unforgivable, and when I found you in his room with that gun, I took it from you.”
“You told me you were the one who shot her,” I murmur against his chest.
“I didn’t want you to live with that guilt,” he says. “So I lied to shield you from the truth.”
“Lana …” Felix murmurs, and he approaches, wrapping his arms around us too. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
I wail loudly, crying out the tears I’ve kept buried deep down with those memories for so long.
“All those nightmares,” I whisper. “They were true. I’m a monster.”
“You’re not a monster,” Felix responds. “You saved me.”
My father leans back and cups my face, forcing me to look at him. “You are loyal. Honest. Smart. Ruthless. And your heart is full of so much love. You are my daughter. And I am proud of you.”
More tears well up in my eyes, but they’re not tears of despair but tears of pride and joy. And we hug again, harder than we ever have before.
“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more loving family than this,” Milo says, chuckling as he blinks away a few tears of his own.
“I’m jealous,” Nathan says.
“Hey, we make a pretty good family,” Kai replies, winking. “But it’s not complete without her.”
I turn to look at them and smile at my dad, waiting for him to nod before joining Kai, Nathan, and Milo and embracing them too.
“Are you okay?” Milo asks.
I nod. “Yeah. It was heavy. But I’m glad it’s finally out of my system.”
“You really killed your own mother, huh?” Kai says. “Savage. I like it.”
I snort and playfully punch him in the shoulder.
“So you’re gonna live with them now?” Felix asks.
“If it’s okay with Dad,” I respond, looking at my father, who just shrugs.
“The sororities and fraternities are normally separated … but I don’t see why I couldn’t make an exception for my own daughter.” He winks. “As long as you don’t go screaming it off the roofs so other students come begging me for the same privilege.”
I laugh. “I won’t. Promise.”
“And I need you to keep your grades up,” he adds, raising a brow. “No more slacking off. You want to go on a killing spree? Fine, but if you start to fail, you answer to me.”
“Okay, I get it,” I reply.
“No worries, sir. We’ll keep her on track,” Nathan says, saluting him.
“I doubt you will,” my father responds.
Kai laughs and pats a defeated Nathan on the back. “You tried.”
“I’ll make sure you keep your word, don’t worry,” Felix says, throwing them a warning look.
“Oh, I’m so scared,” Milo says, winking, which makes Felix growl out loud.
“All right, out of my office. All of you,” my father says with a sigh. “I’ve got work to do and messes to clean up.”
When we all exit the door, he adds, “Oh, and don’t kill anyone here at school, please. For your own sakes.”
“Not even them?” Felix says, pointing at Kai, Nathan, and Milo with his thumb.
Kai’s eyes become half-mast. “You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Wanna bet on that?”
“Boys …” I sigh out loud. “I thought we were over this.”
“You’re still my little sister.” Felix grabs me and rubs my hair with his fist just like he used to, messing up my look. “Didn’t I tell you not to talk to those fuckers?”
“Too late,” Kai scoffs, snorting after.
“Yeah, our dicks have already been in there. We’re way past the talking stage,” Nathan muses, watching Felix combust with rage.
I physically have to stop him from acting out, and the boys laugh in unison.
“You motherf—”
I plant a finger onto Felix’s lips. “Ah. Zip it. I don’t want to hear it.”
“But—”
I throw him a stern look, just like our dad just did.
“I get it. You’re my big bro. You wanna protect me.” I glance at Kai, Milo, and Nathan over my shoulder. “But I have them too now. So you’ll just need to get along for me. Okay?”
His eyes twitch with annoyance, and he folds his arms. Then he sighs out loud. “Fine.”
I hug him tight. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go. Before I change my mind,” he says, pushing me in their direction.
And the boys welcome me with open arms, kissing me on the cheek right in front of the entire damn school.
And you know what?
I don’t give a care in the world.
EPILOGUE
Nathan
Months later
“Okay, now close your eyes.”
I sigh and roll my eyes at Lana.
“C’mon,” she eggs me on from next to me.
I do what she says, and she wraps a red ribbon around my eyes. “Just to be sure.”
“What is this all about?” I ask as the car door next to me opens.
“You’ll see,” Kai responds, holding out his hand.
I take his hand, and he hoists me out of the car while Lana scoots out behind me.
Milo closes the door. “Lead the way.”