Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Roland.
Fury howled. My temper exploded. “I promise I’ll kill him for you. Somehow.”
She gave me a conspiratorial glance. “Definitely not a cop if you’re willing to kill for us.”
“Better than a cop,” Ily whispered, smiling at me softly. “He’s a Mercer.”
My heart skipped.
I practically fucking swooned toward her, drawn in by the leash of her love.
Peter looked at both of us as if his favourite puppy had just died.
The moment stretched until Ily shook herself and glanced behind me.
I turned to look, spying the older woman waving at us with her tea towel.
Releasing Mollie’s hand, Ily caught my eyes. “We have to go. I’ll return to the jewel quarters with Mols and Rach.”
I opened my mouth to stop that idea. She might not be safe wandering around the fortress with Masters high on testosterone, but she held up her hand and proved our thoughts were in sync just like our heartbeats and souls.
“I’ll be safe, I swear. We’ll go straight there. I won’t leave until you come to get me.”
Genuine fear cut through me at the thought of her being so far away.
“I’ll talk to you soon then,” Peter murmured, his eyes flicking to Ily’s. “We need to find a way to catch up properly.” His gaze shot to mine, narrowed and cold. “Maybe you can give her more time with us. We can’t liaise properly if you keep her shackled to your bed.”
“Paavak,” Ily grumbled.
“I know. I know.” Giving me a wary look, Peter stepped into her and wrapped his arms around her. “Just be safe, jaanu.”
Ily gave me a guilty wince all while her arms went around him.
Jaanu?
What the hell did that mean?
It took all my willpower to stand by and let Peter hug my reason for existence.
Rachel gave me a sad shrug and Mollie a wry smile before the two jewels broke apart and Peter pushed his luck by kissing Ily on her cheek. He whispered a string of Hindi into her ear.
It was so fucking hard not to grab her.
Breaking apart from him, Ily stepped into me, squeezed my shaking fingers, then darted out of the busy kitchens.
Mollie followed her, but Rachel lingered.
Cupping her lower belly, she struggled for words. “W-We’re trusting you with our lives, Master H.”
“Henri.”
She ducked her chin. She looked so frail and young and afraid.
Sleeping with her meant nothing. It’d been forced on both our accounts. Yet I couldn’t deny a tenderness bloomed inside me. A protectiveness full of despair for how long she’d been Victor’s plaything.
Stepping into me, she kept her voice low. “I see the way you look at her. I know how much it broke you to have to…to have to be with me. But I hope you know I’m grateful it was you he shared me with. You didn’t hurt me. You’re willing to help us. And you’re doing something no one else has done. Ily’s very lucky to have you.”
She scurried away before I could reply.
I exhaled heavily.
My nape prickled as I braced myself and looked at Peter.
Standing with his back against the pantry wall and arms crossed, he arched his chin. “You better come closer so the cameras can’t see you.”
Sucking in a breath and all my restraint, I stepped deeper into the shadows and fought back the shadows within me.
I had no idea how or where to start.
This was his show. His plan.
We didn’t speak for ages, animosity crackling loudly between us.
His fingers dug into his biceps as he crossed his arms tighter. “I’m going to say a few things, and once I’ve said them, that’s it, okay? Bygones.”
I nodded warily. “Okay…”
“Thank you for carrying me back to the castle.” His cheeks pinked. “I hate that it happened but…thank you.”
I reared back, not expecting that. “Eh…you’re welcome?”
“Don’t think that one act of kindness means I suddenly like you. I don’t.” He sniffed with his chin in the air. “In fact, I can’t stand you because I know what you are and this tame front you’re putting on doesn’t fool me. I’ve always told Ily you were the worst of the lot, and I stand by that, even now.”
“You what?” My knuckles cracked as I balled my hands. “You told her I was the worst?”
“I did and I’m right. The way you stabbed…” He shook his head. “The way you shut down your humanity that night. Only a psychopath can do that, and I’m still not convinced that isn’t what you are. This could be some kind of ploy to make us trust you, only for you to deliver us up to Vic.”
I glowered at him. “Then what the fuck am I doing here?”
“Because we don’t have any other choice.”
“So you figured you’d get me on your side by calling me a psychopath and kissing Ily in front of me?” I chuckled blackly. “You’re lucky I don’t punch you.”