Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Why are you in my room?” I make sure my robe is tightly closed before I step out of the shower and make my way over to the doorway.
Jace is standing there in a white polo and khakis. He must be going to the country club. Normally both he and his brother are in suits. I think it makes them feel powerful, which is the stupidest thing ever.
“I knocked, and you didn’t answer.”
“So you thought it was okay to walk in?” I snip back, but Jace’s eyes are on my bare wet legs. “You can’t walk into my room.” I say it loudly this time to get his attention.
“Four more weeks, and I can do anything I like. Unless…” He licks his lips.
“What do you want?” I ignore him because being with him will never happen.
We still have no idea what’s going to happen in four weeks. None of us know how this is going to play out with my father’s will.
“Oliver made a request for you to leave the estate to see a doctor today.”
“Okay,” I respond blankly. I didn’t realize Oliver made an appointment, but he’s seen my moods lately, and they’ve been all over the place.
“What’s wrong?” Jace sounds entitled, and it grates my nerves.
“That’s my personal business.” I can see the anger flick across his eyes. He hates the parts of my life he can’t control. There are very few at the moment, but no matter what happens with the will, I’ll be free.
“We can have a doctor come here,” he tries to insist, but this isn’t an area where he gets a say. My medical needs are to be handled by myself or Oliver since my stepmother can’t do it.
“I will go to my doctor's office.” I know why this is a problem for them, but they don’t want to openly say it because they know how messed-up it is. They’re trying to keep me captive. How dumb do they think I am? It’s a big deal for me to leave because they don’t want me out from under their thumb.
“You’ll take a security guard and driver.” Jace checks his watch. “I’d take you, but I have something that needs to be handled.”
“I don’t need you to take me to the doctor’s, Jace.”
He takes a step forward, and this time he doesn’t try to hide his anger before he grips my chin. “You’re going to be begging me to give you everything in a few short weeks.”
I jerk back, smacking his arm at the same time. “Keep your fucking hands off me,” I hiss.
“Don’t give me your innocent act. I saw the mark on your neck. Are you going to fess up to who put it there?”
I roll my eyes because I told them I didn’t know how I got it. The brothers hadn’t pieced together that I was at the party, but they noticed a small mark on my neck the next day. They think that I might be fooling around with someone here on staff. Since then, all the employees have been shuffled around. Oliver is the only male allowed around me on the estate if I’m alone.
“I’m not fooling around with anyone on your payroll. You’re being crazy.” I try to push past him, not wanting Jace to think he intimidates me, but it’s a lie. At this moment he does, and the fact that we’re in my room alone is scary.
Jace grabs my arms and I cry out. “Jace!”
“I’m sorry, Ella,” he says, surprising the crap out of me. “I suppose I’m jealous.” His eyes actually soften.
“What?” I ask, thoroughly confused. My understanding is Jace only wants me because it’s a sure way to get his hands on the Cinder fortune.
“I’ve been a jerk, but why can’t you open up to the idea of there being an us?”
He’s lost his mind, but I suppose I have too. I let a man I didn’t know do things to me no one else ever has. I would’ve thought it was a dream if not for the evidence he left behind coating my inner thighs.
“You can’t be serious. A jerk? That’s putting it mildly.”
“It’s Matthew. He makes his stupid comments about you, but I think it’s because he wants you all to himself. I called you first, so he’s pissed.”
I’m in the twilight zone. “Called me first?!” I jerk my arm from his hold. “It doesn’t matter what you called. You’ve stood by while he’s done it and said nothing. You’re no different than him.”
“You don’t understand.” He runs his hand through his hair, flustered.
“I don’t want to. You’re a coward.” I spit the words, and he flinches.
“I deserve that.”
“I think you should go.” I take a few more steps away from him. I’m not sure what he’s up to, but I want no part of these mind games.