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)
“We’re the fixers.” Rafael shook a finger between him and his brother. “Got a problem, we’ll take care of it. For the right price, of course.”
The administration building appeared up ahead, and just in time. It was time to part ways. I appreciated these guys for everything they did, but the one thing I did not come here to do was make friends. I couldn’t have distractions. People asking where I was while I tracked the Royals. Girls banging on my door begging me to party with them while I planned my revenge against Owen and his pals.
Katie was already getting in the way—dragging me out onto the balcony for a conversation that was heard by the wrong people, and warning me off Owen. The last thing I needed was the Rogues dripping their nonsense about Victorian vampire shopkeepers and hit men dads in my ear.
“Thanks for the escort and for what you did for my sister.” I picked up the pace to the stairs. “I’ve got to...” My brush-off trailed away as the doors opened.
Piper, Everleigh, Gabriella, and Saylor filed out. Saylor wore long white pants, flats, and a satin one-sleeve top with a huge bow on her shoulder. The look should’ve turned her into a thirty-nine-year-old society wife. Instead she looked like that wife’s hot personal designer.
“Luna Sinclair. What are you doing here? Putting in your transfer papers?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Oh, well then, isn’t it a good thing we caught you?” She smiled and spoke like we were two chums sitting down for tea. “You are going to transfer out of this school, pack a bag, and put our town in your rearview mirror. You’ll do it today. This is the last time we’ll discuss this,” she said lightly, smile reaching no higher than her mouth. “If you’re not gone by the end of the week, Regalia University will become an unhappy place for you.”
“Are you threatening me?”
She gasped. “Oh, sweetie, no. I never make threats. I leave that to uncultured thuggish swine who say they’ll break your nose if you talk about their sister.”
Anger clamped my throat.
“No, that wasn’t a threat,” she said. “It was advice that you should take. I’m only looking out for you.” Saylor dropped her voice to a whisper. “People around here can be really mean. I heard some pathetic little Dreg got picked on and ended up on a ledge. They fished her out of the lake three days later like a floating bag of trash. No one wants that to happen to you too.”
I reeled my fist back. Something flashed out of the corner of my eye.
Rafael secured my hand, bringing it down by my side. He didn’t let go.
“Morning, ladies.”
Their demeanor changed instantly. Gabriella and Everleigh checked their hair. Piper tugged her tank top down, exposing more cleavage. And Saylor dropped her fake smile for a real one. I was surprised by their behavior but only a little. Rafael was one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen in person or on the screen.
“Hey, Rafael.” Saylor angled to put me at her back, sliding between us. “Did you have a good summer?”
“The best. Dad took us out on international waters. Two months diving and deep-sea fishing till the heat died down.”
The four of them laughed. Saylor and Gabriella slid in closer, touching his arm.
“You ladies clearly spent your summer getting more gorgeous. Damn, give us weak, mortal men a chance.”
Saylor giggled. “What would be the fun in that?” She flicked down to the hand he still had wrapped around mine. Her lips flattened to a thin line and the first flash of the person behind the sweet little heiress mask flashed through the cracks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you two were friends.”
“We are,” Rafael said without skipping a beat. “Close friends.”
“Aww, Rafael,” Everleigh said. She crowded in close behind Saylor, and in front of me. “I’ve always loved that about you. You do favors for everyone, even the lowliest Dreg.”
“Charity work,” Piper added.
I didn’t see who it was. Out of nowhere, one of them grabbed my waist and flung me aside. I stumbled on the steps, crying out as I caught myself. The Royal girls immediately took my space and surrounded him. Cato disappeared somewhere, but they didn’t mind in favor of having Rafael to themselves.
“You should run along,” Saylor called over their heads. “You have something you need to do in administration.”
“So, Rafi,” Everleigh purred. “Are you doing anything this weekend? Owen’s throwing an ABC party.”
My ears pricked up. They had my full attention.
“It’s a little back-to-school thing,” Piper said. “Royals only. And you.”
“What about my boys?”
“The invitation is only for one.” Gabriella walked her fingers up his chest. “So don’t even think about bringing a date.”
“Yeah,” said Saylor. “We—”
Raucous barking cut through the air. Cato burst through them, knocking the girls aside like bowling pins. Screeching, they took off running—Cato baying and chasing them down the steps.