Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“You wanted a robot you could train instead? Pure wife material right there,” I bite out, back stiffening.
“That’s not fair,” he rumbles. “She’s not a robot.”
My body vibrates with anger. “She’s not the girl I knew from school. Why her?”
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not like that.”
I stare at my brother, truly seeing him for the first time. I’m a dumb, innocent girl who has no business worrying about the dark parts of the world that only men like him, Dad, and the Crownes are privy to. But I’m not that girl. I was born into this world and dragged deeper into it when Theo took me.
“I know what CUP is,” I tell him coolly. “I know that they ‘transform’ people. We both know it’s not as it seems. Hell, I lived their poor attempts to brainwash me.”
A flash of fury crosses over his features. “What? Explain.”
I want to roll my eyes at his sudden chivalrous desire to defend his baby sister. If I told him I was kidnapped and taken against my will, there’s no telling what Bastian would do. I’m not looking for war to happen in the family dining room.
“I’ve been around their manipulation techniques. I know what they do,” I say to him. “I know Megan went missing from school. That’s how I met the Crownes.” His eyes narrow, reading through the lines, but I continue on. “Then imagine my surprise when Caius connects me with Megan, and I learn she’s at your house. That she’s your girlfriend now. You didn’t have time to actually fall in love with her.”
Bastian glowers at me, the gentle big brother aura completely gone. He reminds me of Dad in this moment. “The same could be said with you,” he bites out. “One second you’re in school, totally focused on your studies and newfound freedom from Dad, and then you’re in a serious relationship with one of the Crownes. Fishy as fuck.”
“Maybe if we get to the bottom of why you came to have Megan as your ‘girlfriend,’ you’ll understand more about Caius’s and my relationship.”
His features darken and I know I’ve hit him where it hurts. I arch a brow, waiting for his explanation. Finally, he relents with a sigh of resignation.
“After my breakup with yet another spoiled brat, I wanted someone different. Way different. I’ve known about CUP—hell, everyone who’s anyone does—and I reached out to Orion. I knew he was connected with Dad, which meant it was legit, and they’d be discreet. Orion worked with me to find out what I was looking for.”
“Matchmaking for the elites,” I mutter under my breath. “How charming.”
We both know this is more than a dating connection.
It’s mind control, manipulation, and morally corrupt behavior.
“Megan was presented to me and she was the opposite of everything I’ve known,” Bastian says, shrugging. “She wanted a reformation through CUP. I got what I wanted because she wasn’t like those witches I’d been dating, but she was also…”
“Trainable?” I offer. “How is this not a ‘mail-order robot bride’ situation?”
“Why is everything so black and white for you, Romy? There’s so much you don’t understand, nor will you ever. Just accept that I like Megan, and if things go well, she could be my wife one day.” He offers me a sheepish grin. “You could be an aunt.”
I stare at him, shaking my head. “Do you even hear yourself right now? Megan had dreams, Bas. She left her old town where she had nothing going for her and was going to make something of herself in California. We were in class together. She was my freaking partner—my friend. I knew her. This ‘arm-candy-to-the-rich-guy’ wasn’t her plan. That girl in there is not the same one I went to school with.”
“You obviously don’t know her well enough,” Bastian argues, scowling at me. “If you did, you’d know her dream is to be a wife and a mother. She’s sweet and caring. She irons my shirts because it makes her happy to do something for me. Irons, Romy. I don’t have to take my shirts in anymore because she launders and irons them better than they do at the dry cleaner. Plus, it saves me time.”
He’s not pulling my leg. He’s absolutely serious.
Bastian doesn’t want a wife. He wants a maid.
“Unbelievable,” I huff. “I can’t fathom how you’re okay with this.”
“Okay with someone who cares about me?” He rises from the chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “I thought you were one of those people, but apparently you think I’m some rich asshole who uses women.”
Isn’t that exactly what he’s doing?
My face must portray that thought because he curses in frustration.
“Dammit,” he growls. “She’s happy. I’m happy. Let it be, for fuck’s sake.”
He starts pacing the space in front of the bed, clearly unnerved by my calling him out. I’m not backing down. Whatever this is he’s doing isn’t right.