Total pages in book: 170
Estimated words: 160166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
“Yes,” I answer as the voices behind us get louder before someone hushes someone else and then the men are quiet. Their footsteps are anything but.
“Good morning,” Daniel greets us easily enough. All the while, as the men pass us, my heart beats wildly and my ears heat as if they’re burning. It’s odd, to see them all in black silk or flannel pajama pants and not crisp suits. Daniel lifts his coffee cup toward me and I respond with the effort of a smile as much as I can.
“Everything all right?” Jase asks and I’m not sure if he’s asking me or Aria but she hums an “mm-hmm” and nods and that suits Jase. He tilts his chin up at me, in a greeting of sorts and lets me know the machine is ready if I need coffee.
“Thank you,” is all I manage to say as Daniel and Jase continue toward the open doorway that I think leads to the den, a joint communal area much like the kitchen. I know the closed doors lead to wings, five of them total. One will forever be known as the Hell Hall to me.
“I’ll be in my office,” Carter murmurs to Aria, an arm wrapping possessively around her waist. He glances at me, the look neutral yet prying, before planting a single kiss on her cheek. It’s … odd, in a way I can’t place. A man like him being gentle. A man like him being kind even.
A smile plays on her lips as Aria closes her eyes and then pats his arm, like she’s giving him permission to go. “I’ll be in there soon,” she tells him.
With the farewell, he doesn’t follow Jase and Daniel and I find myself watching him as he goes through the doors on the farthest right. The doors to Declan’s hall are through the farthest left.
“Did you need help with something? Maybe in the kitchen?”
I need to recover more than anything. To just be alone. I shake my head and tell her I was just going to go back to the bedroom.
“But you haven’t even gone to the kitchen yet,” she points out. My cheeks flush as she leans forward and whispers, “There are cameras.”
A spiked ball forms in my throat as I swallow down the feeling that consumes me once again. That this beautiful place is a prison for me.
“I was going to get coffee for me and Declan.”
“And you know how to work the machine?” she questions. I nod without thinking and then I realize that I don’t know. I have no fucking clue but I’m not stupid. I can figure it out.
She nods slowly, her eyes never leaving mine and her fingernails play along the pad of her thumb as she searches for something in my expression. “I find it’s best not to eavesdrop.”
“I wasn’t.” The words come out of me quickly, dripping with denial and even I know it’s a lie.
Aria simply cocks a knowing brow in response. I’ve never been so intimidated or embarrassed.
“I mean,” I say and swallow thickly, my fingers twisting around the hem of my sweater, “I didn’t mean to.”
She nods again and then her expression turns somewhat sympathetic.
“Are you feeling better?” she asks and my heart pounds.
“Much.”
“I’m glad you’re well,” she says and I can barely whisper my thanks. She knows. I think everyone knows.
I have all of these thoughts about her, a woman who’s practically a myth. It’s dawned on me that she absolutely has an opinion about me. I have no idea what she’s heard, but I’m sure none of it is good.
The mix of emotions that sour my stomach must show on my face.
“We’re doing construction the next couple of weeks starting tomorrow. It would be easiest to run then,” Aria says without warning.
“What?” Every bit of blood feels like it leaves my face and a chill comes over my body. “I’m not planning on running.”
“He told you not to leave him?”
“Right,” I answer again without thinking and then realize what that truly means.
“But do you want to be locked away here, not allowed to leave unless he gives you permission?”
I can’t answer. It’s only just now dawned on me that this is my reality.
The sympathy in Aria’s expression deepens and I wish I were anywhere else. I’ve only wanted coffee and instead I’ve been hit with a wrecking ball.
“Can I give you some advice?” she asks and I nod, swallowing the growing lump in my throat.
“Don’t trust anyone,” she tells me and then offers a sad smile like it’s her way of saying goodbye. “And if you ever leave, run very far and never look back.”
My racing heart won’t stop. Even with deep breaths and slow-paced steps on the way back to Declan’s bedroom, the heavy pounding is met with unease that won’t quit.