Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Why do we have to do this at night? Rafael and the others are suspended. They can check out the cabins while Everleigh is in class. No chance of getting caught.”
“Because that’s the last time I’m an unconscious clueless dummy while you guys are in trouble. We don’t have to wait until night, but we do have to do this together. Don’t forget...” I glanced back at the crowd, wondering who among them was in T.O.D. “We’re outnumbered.”
“Wish we could figure out who’s in the club or how many. It’s disturbing to think anyone we pass by could be biding their time, waiting to carry out a dare from Jezebel12.”
“Disturbing is a nice way of putting it. I’m completely blocked from the site.” I blew out a breath. “I’ll see if Alistair has better luck. If he wants to go around shutting down websites, he can shut down this one.”
Victor winced. “Can’t believe he stopped you selling Saylor’s texts after everything she did. I know the Burkhardts have that family rule, but she fucked with you plenty over the last few months. She could’ve served her punishment for longer than a week at least.”
“He’s not stopping at taking down the site. Alistair said everyone who bought a copy will wake up to a black vortex of death where their hard drive used to be. Once they figure out that’s because of the texts, I’ll be public enemy number one. Again.”
“Shit.” Victor craned his neck, swinging around like the angry mob was about to descend. “Didn’t he think of that? He just landed you in it.”
The administration building loomed ahead of us.
“I assume he has a plan for dealing with all those angry customers because I’m just as pissed as they are.”
“Bright side,” he said, “the damage is done. My rugby guys don’t care that I’m not interested, they’ve been updating me on every juicy detail from her texts. Saylor really fucked over a lot of people just because she could. She won’t recover from this.”
“And yet she blames me for ruining her life.” My head still throbbed from where she smashed it against the wall. “Didn’t occur to her that none of this would’ve happened if she wasn’t such a poisonous, soul-sucking monster.”
“Who happens to be your cousin.” Victor drew ahead and held the door open for me. “Luna Sinclair-Bowden is actually Luna Burkhardt.”
“I love you, but I will leave you at the altar if you call me that again.”
“No, you won’t,” he said, grinning. “You’re stuck with me for life. But speaking of our eternal commitment, do you think my parents knew you’re a Burkhardt?”
The smile froze on my face.
“It would explain a lot,” he mused. “Why they picked you, and why they threatened to disinherit me if we don’t go through with the match. Burkhardts don’t marry within the Royal line because they’d never know for sure if that person loved them or was using them for a quick ride to the top of the ladder. If a Wilson and Burkhardt got married, it’d change everything.”
I studied his face. Deep down, I didn’t believe Victor would’ve gone along with Martha’s plan—using and deceiving me to get his hands on the inheritance I didn’t know I had. Gazing at him then, I knew I was right.
He was as open and honest as he was every day since we met. Victor wanted me for me.
I took his hand, tugging him down to kiss his cheek. “A Wilson and a Burkhardt are getting married, and damn right it’s going to change everything. We’re taking over, baby.”
His grin was wicked. “Our parents will regret this, but I won’t. This is going to be fun.”
I dropped my head on his shoulder, snuggling his arm as we headed to the dean’s office. Finally, I understood why Victor had to be careful about his association with the Rogues. The best layer of protection that a Rogue had was their anonymity, and my guys gave that up when they were forced to go it alone. That put them in danger, but they were willing to accept the risk.
On Victor’s side, he’d be taking that risk on for his whole family—making them a target like Winter and I became targets in a fight we didn’t know about. I understood why, after we got married, we could only be Mr. and Mrs. Wilson in public, even if in private I was committed to all of my guys.
I understood, and that’s why I had to burn the Royals, and now the Rogues, to the ground.
Sorry, Pops. I smiled sweetly at my man. Anyone who stands in our way has to go. But don’t worry, I’ll set you up with a nice retirement package.
“I’ll wait here for you.”
Victor grabbed a seat in front of the dean’s office.
I glanced at the receptionist’s empty desk. “It’s seven thirty. That’s what time he said to be here. Think I should just go in?”