Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 148434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Read Online Books/Novels: | Sinful Like Us (Like Us #5) | |
|---|---|---|
Author/Writer of Book/Novel: | Krista Ritchie | Becca Ritchie |
| Language: | English | |
| ISBN/ ASIN: | B07TLZWD98 | |
| Book Information: | ||
HOW CAN IT BE WRONG IF IT FEELS SO GOOD Dating an American princess comes with a massive amount of baggage–all of which I’m willing to carry strapped on my back in quicksand and through seven hells. But Jane Cobalt’s baggage, I’m unprepared for. It comes in the form of her five equally famous and notoriously hard-to-please brothers. I want Jane. Completely. Unconditionally. But when there’s a trip scheduled that I can’t be a part of, I only have one option. It’s immoral. Something I’d never consider until now. But, hell, there’s got to be some perks to being a twin. So I’m doing it. I’m switching places with my brother. Done and done. It should have been easy. There were little consequences. Until the storm hit. The Like Us series is a true series, one continuous timeline, that follows a family of wealthy celebrities and the people that protect them. | ||
| Books in Series: | Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie | |
| Books by Author: | Krista Ritchie Books | Becca Ritchie Books |
Prologue
Nearly 1 Year Ago
JANE COBALT
Late in the quiet night of the lake house, I’m curled up on a leather sofa. Eyes raw from crying, pastel purple stationery paper lies on my lap, and I lift my ballpoint pen off inked words, my stomach sunk low.
I stare faraway at my messy scrawl. “This isn’t the end,” I whisper, grabbing at any leftover optimism.
I’m all alone and talking to myself. It’s certain then: happy or sad, I can’t shut up.
My cousins, brothers, and bodyguards are in their bedrooms for the night—while I’m in the living room, staying warm in flannel pajamas beside a lit fireplace.
I don’t love the solitary quiet, but the crackle of flames fills the silence a little. Light flickers against the dark walls, and I blow out a breath. “Come on, Jane.”
My heart has been broken. Just recently.
Torn to bleeding shreds, and I’m trying not to sit with these painful feelings. “You can withstand anything,” I murmur. “You’re a Cobalt.” A lump lodges in my throat, and I bite the inside of my mouth to quell emotion—emotion that pierces all the armor I’ve ever built.
I’m not sure I want to be a Cobalt these days, and even the thought feels sacrilege. My family is my everything.
But I never prepared to be hurt by the people I love. By two Cobalts. By my parents.
Aren’t they supposed to believe me and trust me? When I’ve done nothing devious in my life to elicit their doubt. Yet, they’re the ones who believed I could be in a forbidden relationship with my best friend.
Oh, and that best friend—he happens to be my cousin.
It’s unthinkable. Never in my life have I ever even imagined…
My face starts to twist in a cringe and then morphs into a grimace as I remember how my parents will be at the lake house tomorrow. I’ll have to confront them face-to-face then.
I can’t say that I’m ready. Not when I’m wallowing. More pitifully than I like.
I sigh at myself. Where is the fierce roar of a lion? “Where are the claws?” I mutter and tuck a piece of wavy hair behind my ear.
God, I feel kicked down and meek. As the firstborn Cobalt, I’m supposed to be the fiercest, the most vicious and courageous of them all.
Not a puddle that people can splash in.
My voice falls to a softer whisper. “Buck up.” Soon, I’ll be on a tour bus and on the path to rebuilding my tarnished friendship with Moffy.
I nod. We’ll be okay.
It’s the bright side of an awful December. I take another breath and focus more on the stationery paper.
My fingers brush along my handwriting, a few words scribbled at the top:
For Thatcher Moretti.
I continue writing out a list.
- I prefer that you ride in my car with me. You don’t need to follow in a security vehicle.
- Fans can approach, but if you feel they’re possible threats, please don’t let them near me.
- I talk a lot. (If I bother you, please let me know.)
I spend a few more minutes making notes for my brand-new bodyguard, and I end with just three words.
I write: keep me safe.
Once I pick my pen off the paper, I look around. Half expecting one of my cats to keep me company. They’re not here at the lake house in the Smoky Mountains.
I really don’t love being alone, and these rumors have wedged something between me and Moffy. Pushing him further out to sea while I’m standing on a lonely island.
I take an umpteenth breath and pull out my phone. Without second thought, I text my new bodyguard: I have the list you asked for. We can go over it now if you’re still awake. I’m in the living room.
It’s late and it’s highly likely he’s fast asleep. But as I lower my phone to my lap, a message lights up the screen.
I’ll be down in a minute. – Thatcher
A small smile tries to tug my lips. Thatcher coming at my call is new to me. Lately, and very slowly, it’s been dawning on me that he’s been transferred to my detail.
Just temporarily.
He’s considered my secondary bodyguard, you see. Quinn Oliveira, the youngest SFO bodyguard, is still on my detail. I’ll have two men protecting me during the charity FanCon.
I look up as floorboards creak.
Thatcher walks across the third-floor balcony towards the stairs, moving with grave authority. A sort of domineering confidence. Like he’s on a single life-or-death mission. It lures me in for a much longer moment, an even longer minute, reminding me that he’s a leader among security, and this is the first time I’ve ever been protected by a lead.
His shoulders are bound strictly, a radio in his fist, and his serious gaze sweeps the living room—he sweeps me.
He zones in on my eyes, which must be red and bloodshot I’m guessing. Mostly because he lingers on my gaze for quite a while. At the same time, he’s hiking down the steps.