Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 87(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 87(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
I have to answer this time unless I want another knock to the head.
This isn’t my first shakedown, and like the ones that came before, Billy’s going to regret not finishing me off.
“Crystal.” My mouth is so dry, I choke trying to say it.
I’m not scared. Not even a little. But God knows I’ve never been this angry before. I didn’t know it was possible to harbor so much wrath and hatred for another person. It’s like burning coal got dropped in my belly, left to fester and grow into a swirling inferno.
“Good. We’re done he—”
“You’re going to leave him alive?” Tweed sounds upset. He looks it, too, his grin vanishing beneath slack-jawed disappointment.
“Is there a problem?” Billy glares at him sideways. “You want him dead, do it yourself. I’m not getting my hands dirtier than they need to be.”
Tweed’s mouth falls wide open, and I can’t stop a smile from stretching my lips.
You’ve got your chance, Mr. Tweed. You better take it before your whole world turns black.
“Didn’t think so.” Billy rolls his eyes and starts for the door. “Bring her.”
It breaks my heart to hear her cry, watching her fight to break free in some glorious attempt to rescue me.
Don’t worry, my goddess. You’ll see me soon, and they’ll pay for what they’ve done to us.
12
JESS
Oh, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?
I know the meaning of the original verse. It has nothing to do with Romeo not being around, and instead, Juliet speaks to some higher power, hoping they have the answers to why Romeo has to be a Montague.
It seems so fitting here.
Where are you, my Romeo? Preparing your onslaught and the destruction of the Mayfairs for your horrible master? Then do it with haste, and let us rise together from the ashes of your warpath.
I haven’t stopped crying since Father and Martin stole me away from Romeo. The three of us have been in his office since the abduction, with only a few of Father’s men coming in to whisper secret messages to their boss.
They’re sitting opposite me in wingback chairs while I have a double-seater to myself. Knowing I wouldn’t try to escape with Father’s men stationed around the house and property, they didn’t bother restraining me.
Another power play to make me feel small.
“Why are you doing this to me? Please let me go,” I beg. It hasn’t worked up to this point, and I don’t expect it to now.
I believe from the bottom of my heart that Romeo is preparing to do something to get me out of this. But right now, I’m alone. I have to buy him time to do what he needs to, and the only way I can is by fighting Father and Martin off for as long as I can.
“You’ve forced my hand. I don’t have a choice,” Father says coldly.
“No, I’m the one who doesn’t have a choice. I’ve never had a choice.” I’m scared and sad, that much is damned clear to them. What they don’t see is how pissed off they’ve gotten me.
They threatened to kill my beast and destroy the last beam of light in the endless sea of darkness. For what? More money they don’t need and a partnership that doesn’t benefit anyone but their public images?
“Is that so?” Father furrows his brow. He almost looks amused. “How did you come to your conclusion?”
“I never wanted to marry this piece of shit,” I spit in Martin’s direction. Pleading to their humanity is a trial in futility, but leaving a bad taste in Martin’s mouth might scare him off.
“You’ve made a point to remind me since the day you two met.” Father sighs.
“And you’re still going through with it?” My eyes drift from Father to Martin.
“Of course I am. Nothing’s going to change my mind,” Martin says. He looks confused and annoyed that I’d dare question him on the matter.
What a spineless jellyfish. He can’t want this or accept me after I fucked the first man who swept me off my feet. At least I get to savor the fact that it’s Romeo who smashes his ego to pieces. No matter what happens, Martin will forever have my love for the beast weighing him down.
“It’s a woman’s lot in life, Jess.” Father grabs my attention again. “You’re a bargaining chip. Have been since the day you were born. It’s time to end the foolishness and accept what’s happening.”
Before I have the chance to fight him on another point, the door swings open. My heart skips a beat, somehow tricking myself into believing Romeo’s about to swoop in and save the day. Instead, it’s one of the guys who pinned me to the wall in my beast’s apartment.
“Sir, we found a priest.” The thug doesn’t breach the threshold of the door.
“Priest? What does he mean?” My eyes widen, and another round of tears flood the lids. He can’t mean—