Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Your sister just left you here.” Phoenix says the words with disgust, and I can see he’s not happy with her, judging by his expression. It appears as if he’s smelled something bad.
“She and Apollo are busy—”
“She doesn’t deserve your defense.” The harshness in Phoenix’s words has me flinching.
“I get the feeling you don’t like my sister. Why?”
“Correct. She doesn’t deserve to be a Godwin.”
The familiar rage from last night builds inside of me. “Because we grew up poor on the Eastside? What? She’s not good enough to marry into your family?”
He sips from his coffee calmly, staring at me with hooded eyes beneath long lashes. “I couldn’t care less where she lived. This has nothing to do with what side of Heathens Hollow she lived on.”
Still feeling as if I need to defend her, I say, “My sister is a fighter. She’s had to be her entire life. She was never one to settle and had big dreams. You may not like her, or feel she fucked her way into your family, but Daphne would throw herself on a sword for those she loves. Can you say the same?”
“I can,” he replies simply. “Any Godwin would.”
I’m thrown off by how easily he counters my words. “You shouldn’t judge what you don’t know.”
“I know enough.”
I wipe my mouth with the cloth napkin on my lap and stand. “I really need to get going. I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
Phoenix mimics my actions. “Allow me to drive you home.” His voice is low but demanding.
I open my mouth to argue, but him driving would save me the hassle of trying to get money from Daphne for the cab ride and waiting for it to arrive somehow. Feeling trapped and with no options, I nod. “Thank you.”
Phoenix remains in place, forcing me to have to walk by him to go upstairs to get my stuff. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, and I’m overcome with an intense feeling of—
He reaches out to push away a strand of hair from my face. I only come up to his chest, and our height difference is obvious when I have to completely tilt my head back to look up at his towering face. Our eyes lock for a moment too long for my comfort. Feeling as if I’m breaking a powerful spell, I quickly make my way to the guest room for the last time.
Chapter
Seven
Ani
I’ve never been in the back of an expensive Town Car before, but I suppose I should have expected that when Phoenix Godwin offers to drive you home, what he really means is he’ll have someone chauffeur us there as we sit awkwardly on the smooth leather seats in the back of the car, not saying a single word to each other.
I’m not even sure why Phoenix offered to come. It’s clear by the way he toys with his cuff links, breathes shallowly, and darts his eyes out at the passing scenery that the man is extremely uncomfortable in my presence. He appears more restless than me, which is really saying something.
“You didn’t have to come,” I say, although it’s a little late now. We are almost there.
“I said I would. I’m a man of my word. When I offer to help, I mean it.” He doesn’t look at me as he speaks, but instead unbuttons the first two buttons of his shirt to give more room between the fabric and his neck.
“I’m clearly making you uncomfortable.” I don’t know if I should be apologetic or offended.
“It’s not you that is making me uncomfortable.” He quickly glances at me. “It’s not you at all.”
We finally turn the corner, and I’ve never been so grateful to arrive at my home as I am now. This car ride has almost been painful.
The trailer looks like it’s been through hell and back. One side is covered in moss and mildew, the other in decayed holes. The outside is the color of dirt, its trim yellowed, and the wood is splintered, the glass looking about ready to shatter. The trailer’s walls are made of poorly and irregularly shaped aluminum siding, some of it rusted, as if the whole structure has been left out in one constant storm for years. The aluminum has been dented and pushed back on itself, and the roof is sagging and leaking. The whole trailer reminds me of a melted popsicle discarded on a dirty street.
I’m embarrassed.
But I don’t want Phoenix to know just how much I’m ashamed that he’s seeing this place I call home.
He’s silent as he gets out of the car, taking in every square inch of my home sweet home. He walks around to my side of the car and opens the door for me, offering his hand to assist me out. Gentlemanly manners are forever ingrained in this man.