Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I see Ares’ name on the screen. I don’t particularly want to talk to him, but I know I’m going to have to face the Crowns at some point.
“Hello?”
“Hey darling,” Ares greets, and I can hear the smile on his face. It’s frustrating that I’ve grown up beside these boys, and I still feel like an outsider. “Is Tarian back?”
“I don’t know.” I’m aware my tone doesn’t sound overly friendly, but I can’t bring myself to talk about the bastard.
“What’s happened?” Ares’ concern makes me smile, just a bit, because the affection I can hear in his voice is reassuring.
“He’s been an asshole. I’ve tried helping him get through shit, but I can’t do it anymore. There is only so much I can take.” I don’t want to tell Ares about Tarian and me sleeping together, but I know the secret will come out eventually.
“That’s nothing new.” Ares chuckles. “Listen, I know he can be hard work, but—”
“No, Ares. This time there are no buts. I can’t do it anymore.” I shake my head as I speak, trying to convince myself as much as Ares that I need to get away from Tarian. But there is no escape. There can never be unless I leave Tynewood for good.
“Did you two have sex?” If I’d been drinking something right now, that question would have made me choke on it. The fact Ares has already jumped to that conclusion makes me want to crawl into a dark hole and hide. “I know that’s what must have happened because it’s the only reason he would lose his shit.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I respond as I push off the bed and make my way onto the balcony that overlooks our gardens.
There’s a cool breeze that cools me. It’s a welcome feeling from the heat that’s been burning me since the incident with Tarian.
Ares sighs on the other end of the phone, and I feel as if I’m missing something.
“The asshole is in love with you, Grecia. He’s been obsessed with you since we were at college.” Ares chuckles, and I can imagine him shaking his head at the thought of his best friend.
Ares, Etienne, and Tarian are more like brothers to be honest, and I know they’ll stand by each other for life. Maybe Ares is trying to coax me into forgiving Tarian’s outburst, but I can’t.
“What?” I throw back my response in shock.
“I’m not lying to you, Grecia,” he tells me, and I can hear his voice has taken on a serious tone.
“I… I’m not…” There is no response I can come up with that can express what’s racing through my mind right now.
“Will you tell me what happened?”
I don’t want to, but maybe Ares can explain what the hell Tarian was thinking when he believed his asshole uncle over me.
“Well, I—” The moment I start speaking, my bedroom door is shoved open, and there, standing on the threshold, is Tarian fucking Calvert. “I have to go.”
I hang up before Ares can respond. My gaze is locked on the man who looks like he’s been through hell and back, but I don’t care… well, I don’t want to care.
I have to force myself not to go to him or ask if he’s okay. I shouldn’t want to know. He told me to leave, and I did. I thought that was the last I’d see of him. I certainly never expected him to turn up in my bedroom with a look of contrition on his face.
“Get the fuck out, Tarian.”
I don’t go to him. I merely point my finger in the direction of the open door, indicating for him to leave. I watch as an expression of agony paints the handsome features of the man who I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen in love with.
“Let me—”
“No,” I bite out. “No, Tarian, you don’t get to do anything but leave my house and never come back. I never want to see your sorry ass again.”
He moves closer, taking tentative steps toward me.
“Please, Grecia.”
Opening my nightstand drawer, I pull out the small silver Glock handgun my father bought me when I turned sixteen. I cock the gun and point it at him.
“Get. The. Fuck. Out. Tarian,” I repeat, slowly and deliberately, and he lifts his hands in surrender.
“Okay, I’ll leave. But I’m not giving up,” he warns as he looks directly at me. His eyes pierce holes through my armor, and I know he can see the suffering he’s caused. “You’re angry with me right now, but you’ll have to let me explain eventually.”
Striding toward him, I come to a stop a few inches from where he’s standing and press the barrel to his chest.
“I don’t want to see you, hear you, or even be in the same room as you. Ever again,” I tell him.