Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Grave was in his tuxedo, his built frame filling out the material well. He stared at me for a while, visibly flustered as he considered what to say. “Cauldron told me about your conversation. I thought we should talk about it.”
“Now?”
“I came here to meet a client, and I spotted you across the room. You know Bartholomew is dangerous, right?”
“And you aren’t?” I asked incredulously. “He’s never kept me as a prisoner. And he’s never drawn a gun on me and pulled the trigger. So he’s definitely less dangerous than you and your brother.”
“Wait, Cauldron shot you?”
“The chamber was empty… It’s a long story.”
His eyes were still narrowed in shock.
“Just stay out of my business, Grave.”
“I don’t think you understand what you’re getting yourself into—”
“My life. My choice.”
“What happened to settling down and having a family?”
“I’d still love that, but there’s just one problem. All men are fucking pigs.” I turned to storm off.
He grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me back. “I’m not telling you to get back together with Cauldron. But this sure as hell isn’t the answer. You’re better than this.”
“Better than this? Does that mean Elise is better than this?”
With his fingers still locked around my wrist, he stared me down.
I twisted out of his grasp, and he let me go. “Stay out of my business—”
“Do you still love Cauldron?”
The question had me taken aback.
“I think you do. And I don’t know how you can screw someone if you’re in love with someone else.”
I stared.
He stared back.
Both of us were fuming.
And then I walked away. “Fuck off, Grave.”
I returned to Bartholomew’s side, trying to look as normal as possible.
He’d just scribbled a bid on a piece of paper and dropped it inside.
“Nice painting.”
He gave a shrug and continued to the next piece.
“Why did you bid, then?”
“That’s what you do, right?” He stopped in front of the next one. “What do you think about this?”
I looked at the bright colors of the garden, the pastel hues of the flowers. “It’s pretty.”
“Looks like it belongs in a bathroom.” He moved on to the next one.
“So…what’s the plan for tonight?”
“Straight down to business, I see. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you enjoy this line of work.”
“I guess it is a bit thrilling…”
“Well, that’s too bad…”
“What’s too bad?”
He stared at the next painting, hands resting in his pockets.
I waited for an answer. “What’s too bad?” I repeated.
Again, he ignored me.
At the end of the night, Bartholomew took me home.
On the drive, he got a phone call. Whenever he answered the phone, he didn’t say anything, just listened to the silence on the other end. After a few seconds, he said, “It’s all there? Good.” He hung up.
These sorts of calls happened all the time. I was used to them.
We pulled up to my apartment, and Bartholomew walked me to the front door. For a man so dangerous, he had the manners of a gentleman. Breath escaped his nostrils like vapor, and he stood on the threshold with his hands concealed in his pockets.
I got the door unlocked. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
He remained in place, staring.
I knew he had something to say. He just needed to decide when to say it.
“Our business relationship has concluded.”
First, it was shock. Then it was panic. “But our contract hasn’t expired…”
“I’ve agreed to sublease it.”
“Sublease? What does that mean?”
“Someone purchased the remainder of your contract for a generous fee.”
“What…?”
He leaned against the wall and crossed his ankles.
I didn’t want anyone else. I wanted Bartholomew. “You—you did this without asking me.”
“For what it’s worth, I said no at first. But the guy wouldn’t let up.”
“Who’s the guy?”
Silence.
“I said, who’s the guy?”
He gave me a hard stare. “You know who it is.”
Cauldron. “No…”
“I’m sorry. He gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“But I don’t want him. I want you.”
A half smile moved on to his lips. “Wow, I think I’m blushing.”
“Undo it. Please.”
“I’ve already accepted the money.”
“Aren’t you a billionaire?” My voice became shrill as the panic took over. “What do you need money for?”
“He offered me something besides money.”
“What?”
He gave a slight shrug. “It wouldn’t interest you.”
“Tell me.”
“Well, he offered to kill someone for me.”
“You can’t do your own dirty work?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
He released a slight chuckle. “You really hate this guy, don’t you?”
“Don’t this to me, Bartholomew. I’m begging you…”
“I’m sorry, Camille. The deal is done.”
I almost fell to my knees right then and there. I was literally back to where I started.
“If it makes you feel any better, it’ll be hard to replace you.”
“I doubt that.” When I remembered Grave at the museum, it suddenly clicked in my head. That was all just a distraction. Grave kept me busy while Cauldron made his move. We’d been in the same room together, and I didn’t even know. “I can’t believe this is happening.”