Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 143453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 717(@200wpm)___ 574(@250wpm)___ 478(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 717(@200wpm)___ 574(@250wpm)___ 478(@300wpm)
She swiftly cuts off eye contact and takes over Glyn’s mediating position in the never-ending cat and mouse game Remi, Ava, and Cecily like to play.
“Come on, spawn, help me with these crazy cougars,” Remi calls for me for the thousandth time tonight.
I ignore him. Again.
“I swear on my lordship’s name that I’m revoking parental rights. Go look for someone else to translate your thoughts without you having to speak.”
“Hmph. I can do that just fine.” Cecily lifts her nose into the air. “Creigh and I volunteer at the same shelter and I always talk to the other staff on his behalf.”
What started as a decision on the spur of the moment has become part of my schedule now.
At first, I only went to that shelter to learn more about the doll-like girl who’s actually a mafia princess but has not one criminal trait in her bones.
The girl treats animals like a mother would treat her baby, for fuck’s sake.
Then I noticed that the more I showed up, the more annoyed she became. And I like getting on her last nerve, catching her glaring at me, or watching me with that puzzled expression.
Besides, many students started volunteering at the shelter soon after I joined. Cecily said it’s because of me and that I should stay.
Who am I to say no to such a great cause?
It’s been almost a week, and I’ve been going there every single day, deliberately sacrificing my sleeping time.
“Spawn! You have it in you to betray me with this me wannabe? You can try for an eternity to dress like me, walk, talk and act like me. You might be the next best thing, but not quite me.”
“Wait. Isn’t that Eminem?” Ava asks.
“Point is, I’m wounded, spawn,” he says in his overdramatic voice. “And here I thought I was your favorite. Now I need to go find me another spawn who’s willing to follow my lordship’s teachings. I’ll take candidates starting now. No pushing, I can’t accept everyone.”
No one comes forward and he laughs. “Don’t be shy. I know I’m intimidating, but I can be cool as fuck.”
Annika inches forward and opens her mouth. There’s a tidbit I’ve learned about her during the time we’ve spent together in this unholy group. She doesn’t like seeing anyone in a vulnerable state and is always game to sacrifice herself for it.
Either that or she’s seriously considering Remi for the position of her fake prick.
I’m not ready to find out which it is. Before any words come out, I say, “You already have me. Why would you look for someone else?”
“Right!” He points at me with a laugh. “I knew I was still your favorite and no attempts from the crazy cougars will be able to tear us apart. Hear that, nerd? You mean nothing.”
“And you think you do?” Cecily throws right back.
Ava holds out both hands. “Time out! Ces, don’t you think we have something more important to discuss, especially now that everyone is here?”
“Oh, right, of course.” Cecily sits beside Annika and Ava takes the other side. “We’re gathered here today for an important reason that’s a bit more pressing than choking the life out of Remi. Our friend, Anni, needs someone to pretend to be her boyfriend for enough time to convince her family not to arrange a marriage for her. Who’s up for it?”
Annika stares at me with wide eyes and I narrow mine. I specifically told her to erase this idea out of her head, and by association, out of Cecily’s and Ava’s heads.
“No funny business in the fake dating.” Ava points a finger at my cousin. “I’m talking about you, Remi.”
“Define funny business, love.” He grins mischievously, and I can feel that tension rising in my compressed throat.
The darkness shimmers from the background, threatening to devour everything in its wake.
“No, you’re out,” Cecily tells Remi. “Like, totally out.”
“Why the hell are you the one who decides that? It should be Anni! From the potential candidates present, I’m the most handsome, duh, and would make the best boyfriend material.”
“Your arrogance is astounding.”
“Thanks, my lady.”
“That wasn’t a compliment, Remi.”
“Whatever. All I’m saying is that the girl of the hour should choose. Out of everyone present, who do you want to be your fake boyfriend, Anni?”
Her eyes meet mine again, bright, so fucking bright that it’s blinding. She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, chewing, biting, waiting.
My jaw tightens as other images fill my mind. All of them start with her trapped beneath me with no way out.
There won’t be any nibbling or chewing. There’ll be slapping, throwing, choking, flogging, gagging, fucking, fucking, and more fucking until I tear her tiny little cunt.
Christ.
The fuck is wrong with me lately?
She releases her lip, all red and plump from how much she bit on it. “If he’s willing to help, and it’s in no way an obligation, of course, but if I had to choose, it’d be Brandon.”