Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Forever.
Peering into the rearview mirror, I smile at Abigail as she sings quietly to herself, watching the world beyond her window passing by. She’s going to make a great ally. This morning, after breakfast, I called her Princess again. She likes that, and she likes it when I praise her for her good manners at the table.
It amazes me how adaptable children can be. They don’t have a lifetime of fears and frustrations behind them. Amy has those fears, those frustrations of never being who she truly needs to be. She can do that now; she just needs to break through the wall that she has built up.
There are more guards around the compound than usual when I pull up to the gates, and they’re all outfitted with full tactical gear and automatic rifles.
Something way out of the norm is going on.
Amy’s eyes widen with fright and she reaches over to grab my hand. “Where are you taking us?”
“I’ve already told you, Lucifer’s for dinner.”
That she is grabbing my hand for support in her fear is a sign of just how worried she is. She may be pissed at me, but she knows I am her guardian angel.
“You’re safe, Amy, I promise you,” I say in a quiet murmur.
“But… why is everyone armed? It looks like we’re entering a bunker or something.”
“This is Lucifer’s home; his wife and children live here. He has to have this protection. Something’s up though, it isn’t usually this tense.”
Rolling down my window at the gate, I nod to Thad. “What’s going on?”
“Lucifer has pulled almost everyone in. He’s even brought in a ton of extra security. Don’t know why though, but he has us on high alert. Shoot to kill orders throughout.”
Nodding my head, I pull through the gate and drive into the compound. The house is fucking huge here, along with the unattached garage and servant’s living quarters. This place is more like a small palace. I don’t think I want my girls and child living in a place this big, but we need something more than the rinky-dink house we are currently in.
Why the fuck are we on high alert though? And why the fuck was I not notified of it is beyond me…. Fuck.
Shit is going from bad to worse with the war going on outside these walls. My body gets that tingly feeling again. Something is starting to majorly suck.
Getting out of the car, I walk to the front passenger door and then the back door. I drilled both of my girls on this. Amy was aggravated I was taking away even allowing her to open her own door from her. Abigail feels more like a princess because of it.
Neither really have a choice, they are mine to protect.
Fuck, I need to think about updating my car. I need something more bulletproof, like the Rolls-Royce Lucifer has his family driven in. Maybe a BMW or Mercedes.
It’s still cold out today. I was hoping it would warm up but if anything, the temperature has dropped. Amy shivers beside me, but I don’t think it’s because of the temperature.
After helping Abigail out of the car, I kneel down in front of her. “Princess, I need you to promise me something.”
Nodding her head eagerly, she says, “Sure!”
“Can you be on your best behavior? I need you to show everyone how good your manners are.”
“Promise I will. Is Johnny going to be here?”
Nodding my head, I grin, “Yep, and you can torture him all you want.”
“Goody.”
Walking in through the front door, I smile to Lily and Lucifer. Amy’s hand is crushing mine in a death grip as I pull her gently forward to introduce her to the family.
“Sir, ma’am, this is Amy and our little princess Abigail.”
Smiling warmly to us both, Lucifer says, “Thank you for coming to our home for dinner. Let me introduce my family. This is Lily, Adam, and our little Evie.”
Small talk and pleasantries aren’t something I’ve done much of, but Abigail pulls our little trio out of our shells quickly. Rushing over to where Adam and Evie stand, she starts jabbering a mile a minute to Evie. She looks over at Adam only briefly, but I catch the smile she gives him.
Lily comes to Amy, taking her arm in hers. “It is sooo good to meet you! I was afraid all of Matthew’s men were the type who didn’t have families!”
Amy turns her head to me, looking confused. “Matthew?”
Laughing quietly, Lily pulls her down the hall towards the living room, following the children. “Oh, you know, it’s Lucifer’s real name.”
Lucifer eyes his wife’s back, but I don’t see any malice in it. If I’m not mistaken, he appears to be amused by what she said.
Once the girls are gone, he looks to Adam, who has remained behind to watch his father. They don’t speak but I swear that there’s a conversation going on between them.