Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Last night, I’d been treated to Kit’s scream of delight as she, and Banks had climbed out of the truck. Jay had nudged me down the porch steps, Rye following as we greeted them. Kit had run over, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me hard as tears of happiness ran down her face. I’d managed to smile back simply because there was not a single ounce of forced joy from the young woman. Her brothers might be capable of playing their parts, performing in this crazy, insane play I’d agreed to star in, but Kit’s joy was pure. Our happy surprise had been brief as she was tired from the trip. But with the dawn, I knew my life rested on my ability to convince her… to convince them all, that I was happy to be part of this little family.
I walked over to the bedroom window and pulled at the wooden frame until I was able to slide the pane of glass up. Sticking my head out, I looked around at my surroundings. Since I’d been completely unconscious when arriving, this was the first time I’d had a chance to see the land I’d now be calling home.
Leaning out the window, I inhaled deeply. Amazing how the very air was different from one day—one location—to the next. Instead of the dank, earthy breaths I’d drawn in the dark woodshed, breaths tainted with fear, here, in this room, I could feel the sun on my face and every lungful of oxygen was fresh, clear, and filled with a floral scent.
Looking down, I saw there was a lattice beneath my window, willowy green branches twisting through the slats. Hundreds of yellow roses covered the trellis, and I could hear the faint buzz of bees as they flew from blossom to blossom. I could easily imagine the climbing roses supplying nectar for the bees who would, in turn, provide honey for their queen. It all belonged to a cycle of life that in a normal situation would have had me excited about being here.
Livestock of cows, sheep, and horses were scattered along the land for as far as I could see. I noticed the remnants of a huge garden in the backyard, though the fence around it was barely intact. I could do a lot with that garden. The sight of a large well to the right of the garden had me wondering how many coins had been tossed into its depths.
Wishes made.
Wishes granted.
If I made a wish of freedom, would it ever come true?
Even if the wishes purchased by those coins were left ungranted, at least the source of our water was close by. I pulled back and shut the window. While I had to agree I’d never seen a more pristine piece of land, and would admit I could easily visualize all that could be grown on it, I doubted life with the Barrett Brothers was going to be a piece of cake, no matter what they promised me.
Part of the family… fuck that.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I should have been terrified and desperately planning my escape, but I’d never been one to waste time lamenting things that could not be changed. For right now at least, I needed to accept. My life depended on it.
Hell, my sanity depended on it.
If I’d come here of my own volition, the idea of starting a new life, of working with others to bring this homestead, this land back to its full potential would have intrigued me. The thought of spending time with Kit was captivating as well. The young woman had an innocence, a joy in life that was refreshing. And the thought of each of the brothers… well, the thought of those assholes confused me. Most of the time, I wanted to strangle the men. I knew I should want to see them rot in jail for what they’d done to me. I should want nothing more than to see them pay. Yet, when I remembered the kiss, the touches, just a hand on my thigh or a lust-filled glare, I couldn’t help but crave more. The more animalistic they behaved, the more I seemed drawn to them. To each one of them.
Each one of them I craved.
Not one.
Three.
If I was honest, I enjoyed sparring with the arrogant assholes. While they hadn’t harmed me, I knew what they were capable of. No, it wouldn’t do to push them too far. I rode a fine line.
They were men of their words. I knew this. And if I did anything at all to have Kit see them in the fucked-up light they deserved to be seen in… they would kill me. Their love for Kit would force them to do that. I wasn’t foolish enough to think otherwise.
I should hate them. Fear them. Want to kill them.