Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 64640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“I feel better,” I reply. “You cooked enough for me too, right?”
“This is all for you. I ate already.” He gets a plastic plate from the cabinet, and I can’t help but laugh at the face he pulls. He says nothing and starts to plate up the food while I watch him with interest.
Who is this man?
I mean, I think I know him.
But then he shows me glimpses of another side of him and I wonder how much you can ever know a man.
“I have a favor to ask you,” he says.
“Hmm…” I mumble as he places the food in front of me. “Is that why you cooked?”
“No, I cooked because you clearly are missing substance in your meals.” He nods to it. “And protein.”
“I like to get my protein another way.” I smirk. “How much would you say is in a man’s cum?” I question. If looks could make you drop your skirt, the one he’s giving me right now would do it. His lashes lift, and ever so slowly, his eyes find mine. I’ve heard of smolder before, but I’ve never actually witnessed it—until now.
This man knows how to smolder.
“I have a dinner to attend tonight, but it’s a weird dinner. I wouldn’t ask you to go, but I don’t want to leave you alone. My brothers and Pops will be there. And I trust no one else with your safety but me.”
“Safety?” I question, with a mouth full of eggs.
“Yes.”
“You think Sarah will try again? I mean, you did cut her finger off,” I remind him.
She wouldn’t be that stupid, right? Even if she is really stupid.
“Will you come?”
“What do I wear? And is it a date?” My lips curve up into a wide smile.
“You’ll wear a masquerade mask to hide who you are. No one is to know your identity at this party. If they ask for your name, you’ll give them a fake one.”
“Mmm… okay.”
“This is not a joke,” he says seriously, reaching over and gripping my hand. “I need you to repeat to me that you will not tell anyone your name.”
I nod my head and pick up a piece of bacon. “Okay, okay. I get it.”
“I have a dress being delivered soon. And a mask to match.”
“What if I don’t like it?” I keep on chewing the delicious bacon, nothing beats that crunch and salty flavor.
“You will.” He starts to clean up and huffs when he doesn’t find what he’s after.
The doorbell rings, and before I can get up to answer, he’s already there, opening the door and reaching out for something. He shuts the door and returns with two garment bags and places one of the bags on the counter next to me. I wipe my hands on my nightie and unzip the bag so I can see my dress.
It’s black with lace around the bodice and a Cinderella-like skirt. I run my hand along the silk and smile up at him.
“It’s beautiful, especially considering how much you hate shopping. You chose well.”
“It’s nothing special. I did it online,” he replies, carrying the other garment bag, which I assume to be his suit, to the couch. He places it down and grabs something before he heads to the shower. I hear the water turn on, and it takes everything in me not to go and join him. Instead, I sit there finishing my breakfast and staring at the dress.
When I hear the shower turn off, I look up to watch him walk out with a towel around his waist.
“I’ve asked your friend to come over and stay with you. I have to do some work today.”
“What type of work?” I ask suspiciously.
“I need to close a few accounts.” He winks, slipping on a black T-shirt before he drops his towel and picks up his black jeans, sliding them up his legs. He pulls on his boots and picks up his phone before he saunters over to where I’m still seated at the counter.
“Have you ever killed anyone you know for money?” I ask.
He doesn’t hesitate when he answers, “Yep.”
“What if you got a hit on me? Would you do that?”
“It’s not so much hits we deal with. We hunt what others can’t find, and we always find what we are after.”
“Sounds so scary.”
“I’m scary.”
The doorbell rings again, and he goes to answer it as I mumble, “I’ve never had this many people come to my door before.” I hear Louise’s bright, bubbly voice as Zuko lets her in.
I pick up my drink and nod to Louise. “How do you know she won’t kill me?” I ask him.
“She won’t. I know everything there is to know about her. Even down to her fucking your ex-boss.” I choke on my coffee, and Louise’s face goes bright red. “It’s my job to know things.” Then he’s out the door without a goodbye, leaving Louise and me staring at each other.