Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 114260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
I swear under my breath. “You had an affair with one of the Rossi brothers?”
“Cain, honey, take a deep breath,” Violet says, running her hand along my arm. “That vein’s pulsing in your temple again…”
“My sister slept with one of the Rossi brothers, read Tarot fucking cards with the sister, and you want me to calm down?”
“Now wait,” Skylar says, her brows coming together. “I didn’t tell you I slept with any of them.”
Violet rolls her eyes. “Kids, kids, settle down.” She gives Skylar a pointed look. “Sweetie, you hang your laundry on a sex chair. There’s no shame.”
Skylar shakes her head. “It’s a tantric chaise. Fine. Are you going to take me with you or what?”
Violet looks to me. The room’s gone silent, as if everyone’s holding their breath waiting for me. “Could be really helpful having someone with us that knows them, even if her history is a bit… dubious.”
“Did you cheat on any of them?” I ask sternly.
“Cain!”
I need to know. “Did you?”
“Of course not,” she huffs out, offended.
“Did any of them cheat on you?”
“No. The only reason we didn’t see each other anymore was that he went to college internationally and we just sort of lost touch. In fact, he was quite the gentleman in bed.” Oh, God, I do not need to hear this.
“And his sister’s lovely. We still keep in touch.”
“Boss, might be a good idea,” Joe says. “They’re a lot less likely to attack if there’s a friend between you.”
“Honest to God, Skylar, you cannot ever do something so stupid again. Seriously.”
“Cain, I’ve grown up now. You know that. I can handle myself just fine, and with the skills Violet’s teaching me, I’ll be even more prepared than ever.”
“Fine. Fine. But don’t do anything without my permission, is that clear?”
She nods eagerly, while Violet takes out the diary. She hops off my lap and speaks in hushed tones to Henri, who takes the diary with a nod and jots down notes. I know it will all come clear in the end.
I hate that the two women that mean more to me than anything in the world are in a dangerous situation like this. I hate that I can’t trust the people we’re going to see.
And I hate that I haven’t told Violet the truth. Skylar knows, I know she does.
I can’t hold this back anymore.
“Sky, I need to talk to Violet alone before you come with us.” I don’t look at Violet. I can’t. Not yet.
“You do,” she says with a nod. “I understand. I’ll wait for you in the truck.”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure how long this will take. I’ll call you when we’re ready to go.”
I feel like I’m going to be sick. I don’t like the way Violet’s face has paled, or the way she gently tugs her hand out of mine and wraps her arms around her body.
“Okay,” Skylar says with a nod. “Violet, just remember you love him, okay?”
Violet looks sharply at Skylar, and I groan. Seriously, Skylar? Seriously?
“Skylar, go read a book or something, and stop interfering,” Violet scolds. Skylar shrugs and heads to the truck. Maybe I should send her to the house. Who knows how long this will take.
When the door shuts behind her, Violet turns to me. Her amethyst eyes glow with fire, and she stands up straighter. My girl may be a tiny thing, but she’s powerful and potent, and I feel that straight in my gut right now. She raises one brow at me. “Spill, Mr. Master.”
“Target range.”
She slow-blinks, then nods. “Do you plan on seducing me after you tell me whatever the hell it is you need to tell me?”
“No, babe. I’m not planning on seducing you.” I can’t keep the melancholy out of my tone.
Jesus. I’ve waited months and months to get Violet to myself. I’ve worked my ass off building trust, establishing what’s between us. I want Violet, and I don’t want to share her… not now, not ever.
But I’ll have to give her a chance to walk away.
I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.
We get to the target range, and the world seems eerily silent. It’s as if the entire planet is waiting on the conversation I’m about to have with her.
A part of me hopes there will be a distraction of some sort, that a meteor will fall to Earth, or a bomb will explode, or… something. Anything, to keep me away from having the conversation I have to have with her.
She shuts the door with finality, then turns to me. “Cain, I feel like I’m going to be sick waiting for this.”
“Me, too.”
Her voice is pained when she pleads with me. She places her hands on my shoulders, nearly standing on her tiptoes. “Then tell me, babe. Please.”
I bend down and brush my lips to hers. It might be the last time I ever do. I want one more chance with her, one more taste of her, before I lay out what could destroy us.