Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 140896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
One second passes.
Two.
Three.
I don’t hit it.
As annoying as Bran is, he was right. If I hurt Nikolai, Mia is out of the picture faster than a rocket. Hell, she might hurt me back for revenge like she did with that blood bath.
In fact, that would be mild compared to what she’d do to me this time. And while I don’t give a fuck about violence, I do give two fucks about her pulling away from me.
Truth is, I give more than a few fucks. A dozen of them, to be more specific.
I push my gear stick back to Park, shut off the engine, and step out of the car. Motherfucker.
Pain spreads through my limbs. It takes me more effort than necessary to stand by the car and paint a mocking smile on my face.
“To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?”
“Do you want us to start counting all the shit you’ve stirred?” Jeremy asks while tapping his golf club on the ground.
“We’d probably be a while if you do that, so how about I take a rain check on that and this entire Halloween-esque encounter?”
“You think you can get away with it?” Nikolai steps in front of me.
“Already did. Also, the masks look hideous, so you should consider an urgent makeover of the brand. You’re welcome for the free aesthetic advice.”
Killian steps beside Nikolai and swings his bat. I don’t move or flinch as he stops it a mere inch away from my face.
“Hi, Killian. Glyn has been wishing that we’d spend some time together. Should we FaceTime her and show this beautiful scene? Or maybe you’d rather she finds out after you’re done with beating me up for sport?”
“You’ll have no proof.”
“There’s no need. She’ll know it’s you.” I motion at Jeremy. “You, too. Cecy might have gotten over her crush on me, but I’m still her childhood friend. A peaceful soul like hers would shatter to pieces if she finds out you touched a hair on my gorgeous head.”
Jeremy lifts the club, but he doesn’t even swing it in my direction.
Fucking fools. This is what happens when you submit to inferior emotions like love. You become weak and eventually lose.
I will always, without exception, reign supreme over these idiots.
Nikolai grabs me by the collar and punches me, sending me flying against my car. “I, however, can break your bones and eat them for breakfast.”
“Did I miss the memo where you’re a dog?”
“You think I’m joking? I will end you.”
“Oh?” I straighten and make a show of wiping the fresh blood that exploded on my already split lip. “Are you sure? Think about who you’re trying to impress and what role I play in their lives.”
So no, Nikolai won’t get within a mile radius of my brother—at least, not with a functioning dick—but it doesn’t hurt to make him believe I’d allow it for my ulterior motives.
His fists clench, but he doesn’t move.
“What are you doing?” Jeremy asks him. “You wanted this, no?”
Nikolai’s growl fills the air and he kicks one of the cars. The loud alarm fills the otherwise silent car park as he continues growling like a cornered animal.
I pat his shoulder and whisper, “Bran is nice, but I’m not. Keep that in mind when you attempt anything funny.”
“Fuck you.”
“Fortunately, you’re not my type.” Your sister is.
But I don’t say that in an attempt to remain civil and, most importantly, keep my balls in one piece for today. Besides, I’m already beaten up as it is.
I leisurely slide back into my car and drive away with loud revs of the engine while watching the three fools in my rearview mirror.
There will never be a day when I’m lumped in with them. Not even if I have to cut off my own arm to prevent it.
23
MIA
“What happened?” I sign as I frantically take in Nikolai’s bloodied state.
He’s half naked, his face a map of purple bruises with a split lip and a swollen eye. What’s worse is the manic, detached look in his darkening eyes.
“Just the usual fight,” Jeremy offers diplomatically, not bothering to hide the fake tone.
Killian leads Nikolai to the living area and throws him on one of the sofas with zero softness, then goes to a cabinet and retrieves his first aid kit.
“More like he got beaten up for nothing.” My cousin jams an alcohol gauze against Niko’s blood-coated nose. “I didn’t become a med student to fix your fuckups.”
“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” I sign at the three of them.
Ever since Maya and Gareth fell asleep, I’ve been pacing the mansion’s entrance and imagining all sorts of scenarios. I just didn’t think it’d be this bad.
Imagine my reaction when the three of them come back after one in the morning. Killian’s wearing an annoyed expression and Nikolai looks to be on the verge of murdering an entire village.