Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Every one of them involved Alek and Stace being naked.
I was so very wrong that day, so I try to make sure Ghost doesn’t make the same mistakes as me. “If she’s taking hormones to authenticate—”
“She’s not taking hormones.” Ghost lowers his voice when I startle. “I haven’t given her anything like that.” He drags a hand over his head, its shake unmissable. “I just need a test.”
“Okay,” I promise, saying anything to snuff his anger before he blows our cover. “I’ll get you a test.”
Over the next hour, the odd sentiment I felt when Alek shadowed my walk toward the foyer continues. The men keep celebrating while Ghost commiserates. He hasn’t touched a speck of food or drank a drop of alcohol. He’s done nothing but stare at Katie until her squirms swap from needy to scared.
I wonder if she is feeling the same tension as me. Ghost seems ready to pounce across the table and slide his steak knife from Kirill’s left ear to his right. I’d say the only reason he’s held back is because he is clinging to the hope not everything is as it seems.
That sometimes love is enough.
Ghost is saved from massacring his niece’s father in front of her when Kirill’s phone buzzes. His expression shifts from a man on the cusp of greatness to being handed the kingdom when he drinks in the name splashed across the screen.
“I need to take this. I’ll be back to collect you in a minute.” Ghost’s growl is audible to anyone within a five-mile radius when Kirill leans in to press a kiss to the edge of Katie’s mouth before he races for the closest exit.
It has Katie’s pulse racing before it sees her fleeing the dining room as quickly as Kirill. “Please excuse me. I need to use the restroom.”
Over fake pleasantries, Ghost mutters, “Get me that test,” before he takes off after her.
As he grips her elbow and drags her into the bathroom, Alek plucks me behind a heavy set of drapes. “What the fuck is going on?” Usually, he kisses me senseless since jealousy is overriding his smarts, but tonight, his focus is on another neurosis. Panic.
“He wants a test.”
Alek’s eyes bounce between mine for several seconds before he mutters, “I’ll get it.” He guides me out of the drapes and down the hallway. “But I think you’ve had enough of the festivities tonight. Too much shady shit is happening. I don’t feel comfortable with you out in the open.”
Although I’d rather he come with me, I haven’t stuck around the past month solely for Alek. Ghost did more than save Alek’s body from being marked two years ago. He saved his life. A blast like the one Ghost endured when he threw himself onto a grenade could have killed Alek, and the knowledge will ensure I will encourage Alek to help Ghost for as long as he needs assistance.
Furthermore, Ghost isn’t as badass as he makes out to be. He cares so much for Katie he’s willing to let her go just so she’ll be free. Not many men in his industry would do that. I’m not even sure Alek would.
“Please be careful,” I beg before pressing my lips to his, hating how hot they feel. “Did you take—”
“Yes.” Alek intuits, his steps hastening when Ghost’s loud grumble escapes the guest bathroom. “And I don’t have any signs of a headache.”
After a chaste kiss that will forever have me begging for more, he pats my backside, then reminds me to take the most indirect route to his room.
I’m halfway there when I discover more than invited guests are lurking in the halls.
The bitch who always smirked when I fell is meandering in the repugnant confinement of the Bobrov compound as if she is more than an invited guest.
“You must be pretty fucking stupid if you believe your presence today will go unnoticed.”
When Stace spins around to face me, her faultless red locks swish against her back. “I had to discover if the rumors are true.” I stiffen when she leans in to press her lips on my cheek like we’re old friends. We grew up in the same area but went down incredibly different routes. “When I heard Alek brought a doctor here for an abortion for one of his whores, I thought she was you.” Her eyes drop to my stomach, soundlessly acknowledging she is aware I am pregnant. “Guess that visit must have been for another one of his whores.”
Her words sting, but I won’t let her know that. “What are you doing here, Stace? If Kirill finds out you’re here, you won’t leave breathing.”
She mocks me with a bitter laugh. “Please. Kirill needs me more than I need him.”
“Right. Because every guy wants a girl to pin a fake pregnancy on them.”