Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 114936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Right as he’s about to choke on his lie.
“You know how Eli fits into this, Kyrin. You’re just not telling me, and I need to fucking know.”
“We think he’s there for you.” Keaton rounds the couch now, and when he’s standing directly in front of me, he lowers himself onto the coffee table. “No, we know he is.”
“I know that! He told me!”
“No.” Keaton shakes his head, his knees spreading to cage mine in. His tattoo covered hands spread over my knees and I watch as the cherry on his fingers spreads with it. I remember when I asked about that tattoo. It’s the one tattoo that he has never shared the backstory for. Every other tattoo I want to know about, he shares with me openly.
All but that one.
“We think Dominic Stranger has something on you.”
“When I saw Eli a few months ago, he was with Bam Bam, so why—”
“And how the fuck do you know Bam Bam?” Keaton’s grip around my legs tightens.
I shove myself out of his hands, but he doesn’t budge. I glare at him. “Because I can’t tell you, that’s why!” I wasn’t lying. There’s no way I am in a position to share with Keaton how I know Bam Bam. Especially not right now.
Kyrin lets out a groan, tilting his head back to rest on the chair as Lilith chuckles into the side of his neck. “Fuck off, bro. I’m not watching you and my fucking sister have angsty I hate you foreplay!” His dark green eyes collide with mine. “I ain’t having this shit, Cartier, and I’m still gonna beat his ass.”
“Try, you can try—again…” Keaton teases, and Kyrin flips him off.
“Eli is alive,” Lilith whispers against Kyrin’s neck, tracing the tattoo he has over the side with her finger. “That’s all I care about right now.”
“And we’re going to get him back,” I add boldly, not moving my attention away from Keaton.
“Yes, we all are,” Kyrin adds pointedly at me.
Keaton finally releases me and I shoot to my feet, my skin crawling with an unfamiliar feeling that I’m not wanting to touch right now.
“Guess I’m drinking tonight.” I scoop up my glass of whiskey. “But tomorrow, I’m back on finding out what’s happening, and I know where I’m going for answers.”
Keaton ignores me, still smirking widely at Kyrin.
“To The Kings.”
His smirk drops instantly. “The fuck? No, you ain’t.”
I’m desperate to do anything to clear my mind from all the bullshit I feel bubbling up inside of me, so I leave without another word. They can fight among themselves. In all the three years that I’ve known this was what I would be doing, I’ve never felt so many emotions in such a short amount of time.
Delila was right. The training was going to be easy. The hardest part would come once I was immersed in the world, that was when I would find where my loyalties would fall, and where my true friends would lay.
I bang into a body on my way to the Ink Bus and I reach out, patting her arm. “Sorry!”
“No, I’m—” Perse’s eyes come to mine. I’ve always thought Persephone Hendry was beautiful, but she’s also edgy. The very reason why I liked her to begin with was the reason I’m starting to despise her now. I was wrong. I knew why Delila chose her, and it was because she had a fire in her that burned painfully similar to mine. “—sorry.” She finishes, exhaling so loud her shoulders fall with the sound.
“Me too.” I sidestep around her to get back on track when her hand catches mine and I turn back around. I can’t be bothered fighting with her again tonight, especially after everything else, but The Brothers are my family, and their women, men, whatever would also be my family. Family is hard to deal with because they get to know you without getting to know you.
“No, I mean I’m sorry for everything, Car. I don’t want to fight with you, like, ever.”
I lower my barrier a little, enough to genuinely smile at her. “I don’t want to either. We’re good.”
“So you’re… doing the whole organizing of everything?”
“Yep.” I shuffle on my feet, running my hands up and down the outside of my puffer jacket. “Everything she did but being ring woman. Honestly, have you met my brother? I don’t think that would have worked out.” We both laugh together before hers dies out.
“You and Eli were close, huh?” It’s the first time Perse and I have spoken without any background noise.
My smile falls and my heart sinks, but the guilt returns, slamming me in the chest. “My best friend.”
“I’m sorry. I hope you guys can bring him home soon.”
“Same.” I push my hands into my pockets, wishing I had one of the few things that distracts me enough.