Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Oh, that's fucking genius,” Crossland said, glancing at Asher for confirmation. “There's nothing in our contract that states we can't do that, right?”
Asher, who possessed an eidetic memory, took a moment, his eyes going distant like he needed to mentally pull up the contract and read through it. He shook his head. “The only thing in our contract upon entering the game regarding losing your seat is that you cannot gift it to anyone or sell it to anyone, not without full approval of the group. There’s nothing about betting with a seat. Clearly, or he wouldn't have even made it into our game in the first place.”
All eyes fell on Weston, but he shrugged. “I'm no longer apologizing for that,” he said with confidence before nodding to me. “Especially not after this outcome. Look at him. Normally, he looks ready to break someone's jaw, but he’s all happy and smiling.”
I pinched my brow, checking myself to see if I was smiling.
I wasn't.
Weston rolled his eyes. “Your mouth may not be selling it, but your eyes are. After all our years together, we can all tell the difference.”
I glanced at my other friends, who nodded.
I let out a rough laugh and shrugged. “I won't deny that she brings me happiness. But I also know that she’s in a very precarious position. If at any time she decides she wants to leave, that she needs space to heal to figure out what she really wants, I'm not going to hold her prisoner. But for now, she's mine. And I know you all understand this. I'll do anything to protect what's mine. Just like any one of you would do for yours. Will you help me get him out of the game?”
“Absolutely,” Crossland answered first.
“Asshole will be out by the end of the night,” Ethan said.
“I'm in,” Weston said. “For Serenity, and to correct the mistake I made by losing a seat to him.”
“I'm more than happy to help get him out of the game,” Asher said.
“But?” I asked.
“But this is just step one, Gareth. What happens next? On your end of things? I'm with you, but I worry that this will be a catalyst for something far more dangerous.”
“You're not wrong,” I said. “This will absolutely piss Doyle off, but he's already out for blood. Getting him out of the game won't change that. And I'm going to do my best to negotiate some sort of terms with him tonight, but I doubt he'll be open to it. Getting him out of the game will at least ensure that Serenity doesn't have to see her abuser monthly.”
There was a collective agreement between my inner circle, and some of the tension in my chest loosened knowing I had their full support. I meant what I said. I wasn't trying to bring them into the danger currently surrounding my life, but having them in this? It meant everything to me.
I glanced down at my watch, noting we had five minutes before we had to walk out and meet our guide.
“Wait,” Crossland said as we started to walk out of the resort. “Is he base jumping with us?”
I shook my head. “I made sure he didn't get an invitation,” I said.
“Smart,” Asher said, flashing me a knowing look that was equal parts concern and respect.
The other guys look confused, so I shrugged. “If he’d shown up, I couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't mess with his parachute. Not after what he did to Serenity.”
“Holy shit,” Crossland muttered before clapping me on the back as we made it to our guide’s car. “I'm so glad I've never pissed you off.”
The freefall from the thousand-meter cliff was a perfect avenue to channel all the adrenaline that had racked my body since New Year's Eve.
The fight-or-flight instinct never really left, but for those brief moments where nothing was between me but air and the sweet rush of the fall, I felt at peace.
The boys and I landed without incident, and we quickly high-fived each other at the true rush of an experience. I felt like every single time we did one of these excursions, we bonded just a little more, and after what I had asked them to do? I knew I had established a loyal family that I would do anything for.
Two hours later, after a shower and a quick change of clothes, I was heading over to Asher’s villa to see if Serenity wanted to walk up to the game with me. I wouldn't make her, especially if she was having a great time with the girls. I didn't want to interrupt that, but I wanted to check in and make sure she was doing all right.
The girls were walking out of the villa by the time I made it to the door.
I breathed easier as I spotted Serenity. She looked exquisite—gone were the elaborate dresses and gowns that her father made her wear, replaced with a pair of white slacks that cinched around her waist and billowed over her feet, paired with a dark blue tank top that cut off just above the pants, exposing a strip of her pristine skin. And the way she moved in it, with pure confidence and comfort, made her look like royalty in a way no ballgown ever could.