Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
“What else do you have other than a small dick?”
Victor choked—irritation briefly breaking his mask. “I fucking hate your ass.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
We straightened as the music wound down.
“Just remember why we’re doing this,” Victor said, releasing me. “It’s so everyone gets what they want. After we’re married, you’ll live your life and I’ll live mine.”
I curtsied as he bowed. “Why wait until after? Outside of putting on a show for these fools, stay away from me.”
“With pleasure.”
We turned our backs on each other and walked off. I made it three steps when a missile in blue and gold seized me.
“Come with me,” Katie ordered. “Now.”
“What—? But— Katie!”
My protests were ignored. Katie marched me through a group of girls, two of them snapping at us to watch out. She dragged me all the way through the house to the back patio. Lights and linen-covered tables were set up, but the party had yet to venture this far.
Katie shoved me unceremoniously in a chair. “Out with it. Now. What the fuck are you playing at?”
“I’m not playing at anything.” I stood and was pushed back on my ass. Add grabby to Katie’s list of faults. “What is your problem?”
“What’s my problem? You dressed up in that gross disguise and pretended like you didn’t know about Regalia or the Royals. You’re not Luna Sinclair. You’re Luna Bowden.” She folded her arms, hip cocked and eyes blazing. “Why?”
“It wasn’t some trick. I did go to boarding school and, believe it or not, the history of Regalia’s richest families didn’t make the curriculum. I came back after graduation, but I’ve been staying in Jack’s beach house up the coast. It’s t-too hard to be at home.” My voice cracked. “The only times I came into town over the summer was to see Victor. Since his parents didn’t want anyone to know about the engagement until the invitations went out, they didn’t go spreading my presence around.” I matched her clench-jawed anger. “You don’t need any more explanation, do you? You recognized my name.”
She sniffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t have Sinclair on web alert. Your sister was in my classes. We partnered on an English project. Professor Kensington announced it to everyone when she died.”
“When she committed suicide,” I corrected, getting in her face. “Right next to her in every single class, did you see it all, Katie? Did you watch your Royal friends torture her and say nothing because it had nothing to do with you? Why care about someone getting bullied when you’re due to get your pussy licked in the library?”
Her lids fluttered, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please. I didn’t know it was that bad. I saw a guy purposely spill a drink on her once. I told his ass off and gave her my jacket to cover up. Whatever else happened, I had no part in it. I had my own shit going on last year—what with my mother battling cancer and all that. Outside of classes, I was barely on campus.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your mom—”
“Shove your pity up your ass.”
I heaved a sigh. “You’re such a pleasant person.”
“I get that way when people jerk me around. Why were you going around calling yourself Luna Sinclair when you’re Luna Bowden? Why would you come to Regalia if you believe the Royals drove your sister to suicide?” Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you marrying one? Why did you ask me so much about them? Did you come back here for revenge?”
Got it in one, Katie Langford. You are many things, but not stupid.
“I came back here because I have to understand. Winter didn’t leave a note,” I lied. “I’ve been piecing together the time leading up to her death and all I know is she had trouble with people on campus. The only way to find out what happened was to come here, talk to people, talk to you. It’s nothing to do with revenge and everything to do with closure. If someone you loved ended their life without a warning, wouldn’t you need to know why?”
“Luna—”
“Wouldn’t you?” I pressed.
Katie looked away and a tense silence swallowed us. “Fuck. Yes, okay?” she barked. “Yes, I’d need to know, but that doesn’t make what you’re doing a good idea. You may find out more than you want to know.”
I already have. I swallowed past the needles in my throat. “I couldn’t possibly feel any worse than I already do. At least this way, there’s a chance of understanding why I’m living through hell.”
Katie glanced back at the mansion. “What’s all this crap, then, about you marrying Victor? I’ve known the guy my whole life. Fucked him twice over the summer. First I heard he was getting married was two weeks ago.”
“You know, if we were secret star-crossed lovers, telling me he cheated on me over the summer isn’t the cherry on top of my engagement party.”