Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Did they underestimate you? Because, you know, Destroyer let you take that knife. He had to deal with the assassin and figured you could handle yourself. That’s a rare compliment.”
She nodded. “At first, but just at first. Then they watched me like a hawk. Gleb, especially, was the leader, and he was on it all the time. He knew Mom wasn’t going to do what Thompson wanted and that I planned on helping her kill as many in the room as we could before they killed us. I just want to know for certain that he isn’t here waiting to step out from a closet or somewhere else to kill you.”
“I’d know, princess. I have gifts. Or curses. Whichever you want to call them. That’s one of them. If an assassin is lying in wait, I know. That’s one of the things that I worked on developing over the years in order to survive.” He transferred his grip from her hand to her upper arm. “Why are you stalling?”
“Because I want to punch my best friend, Amanda Gibbs, right in the nose. She’s in there, practically sitting on Marcus’ lap, giggling and acting like she’s so innocent when she brought those killers here to have them murder you and take you away from me. She knew my parents were dead, and she still was going to let them kill you. She knew that was their intention, Master, and yet she was willing to trade your life for her brother’s.”
“Ambrielle.” He said her name gently, as if that smooth growl could calm the gathering storm building in her. “What would you have done if someone threatened to kill your parents, and all you had to do was point them to a stranger—one who had been in prison on murder charges?”
Her eyes met his. “You don’t exchange one life for another, especially if that other person is innocent. Which you are, whether or not you killed that man. You served your time. Isn’t that supposed to be how the system works? No, I wouldn’t have done what she did. She should have consulted with me and allowed me to help her. At the very least, she could have told Marcus or Adam. She did neither. She willingly brought these assassins to a place of business where they conceivably could have killed innocent people.”
“Because she doesn’t have good judgment in a crisis. Let it go this once. Everyone makes mistakes. She won’t have the chance to make a second one like this. I’ll make that clear. Go talk to them and enjoy your evening. The waitress is here with the food. You don’t want your dinner to get cold.”
Ambrielle had a million things she wanted to say to him, a million questions to ask him, but he was right: now wasn’t the time. She found herself liking him even more now that he wanted her to be with her friends and have a good evening despite what had just happened. He treated the attempt on his life as if it were nothing—an everyday occurrence. She had a lot to learn in order to fit into his world, and she was determined to fit in.
She nodded and walked into the dining room with her head up, even though she was unable to keep her heart from pounding. She didn’t look at Amanda. Instead, she concentrated on Adam, who was laughing at something Rashad was saying to Savage, who was seated at the table with Seychelle. Ambrie hadn’t seen Seychelle come in, but she was very happy she was there.
“What have we missed?” she asked as Master pulled out the chair for her.
“Savage was just telling us that Rashad should jam with the band right here in the restaurant. They brought instruments, and apparently Alena closed Crow 287 for a private event so we could have the entire place to ourselves,” Adam explained.
“I’m down,” Rashad agreed. “The food, by the way, is excellent. Adam, if you aren’t finishing those prawns, I’m going to. We can’t waste any of this.”
Adam laughed again. “I’m eating, I’m eating. If you touch the prawns, you’ll lose your hand.” Even as he threatened Rashad, he forked two of the very large prawns and put them on Rashad’s plate beside his filet mignon.
Seychelle had a salad that looked excellent. Ambrielle wished she’d ordered that until she took her first bite of the assortment of seared mushrooms tossed into creamy pasta sauce. She loved mushrooms and pasta, especially Alfredo sauce, and this was made with fresh Parmesan, lemon and black pepper, making it the perfect blend.
“Master, this is amazing. You have no idea. You have to try it.” She turned to him, slightly shocked that food could be this good in a small restaurant out in the middle of an extremely small town. “I heard Alena was an excellent chef, but this is truly amazing.”