Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 182641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 913(@200wpm)___ 731(@250wpm)___ 609(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 913(@200wpm)___ 731(@250wpm)___ 609(@300wpm)
I know he wants to argue, to fight, just like I know this isn’t the time.
“If you never listen to me, Rich Girl, listen to me right now.” His chin lowers, gaze fixed on mine. “You are my number one priority here.” He taps his temple. “And here.” He taps his left pec right over his heart. “You’ve been since I met you and that ain’t changing. Like it or not, fight me or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re mine. Today, tomorrow, always. Even when I’m six feet under. Never question that. Never doubt it, but right now, I need to figure out what’s going on with my sister and it ain’t looking good, so I’m gonna say this to you once again, if you never listen to me again, listen now.” A shadow falls over his eyes then, a darker Bastian Bishop now kneeling beside me.
His tone drops to a thick, rumbly rasp that sends a shiver down my spine. “I know you’re a fucking badass, and I have no doubt you could take on anyone you put your mind to, but it ain’t happening today. Today, you will be my sweet little submissive woman, and you will stay in this fucking car, no matter what you think you hear or see. Understood?”
Uncertainty scratches up my spine, and I squeeze my phone tighter.
His eyes flick toward Royce and back. “Say you understand.”
Swallowing, I force myself to nod.
His thumb comes up, gliding along my lower lip, and I press a soft kiss to it, not realizing I close my eyes until the comfort of his rough touch disappears. My lids open, but he’s already gone.
I track his every move back to where Royce stands and the two start rushing through a conversation, trying to work out what to do and where to look, when suddenly Bastian’s spine shoots straight. His head snaps over his shoulder and he meets my gaze, terror flashing across his face, but it only lasts a single second.
Bastian takes off full speed, blowing past the vehicle and down the long cement path until he disappears around the building, Royce right behind him.
My knees begin to bounce, my head snapping from right to left, over and over again, before settling on the spot he vanished. I squint my eyes, trying to pick up anything in the distance, but come up with nothing but darkness.
The minutes tick by slowly, panic once again consuming me, so I drop the seat all the way back so I’m staring at nothing but the roof of the car. I put Bastian’s headphones on, this time the big bulky ones, and press the button on the side. His phone is still beside me, so his playlist picks up instantly and I do my best to get lost in the music, hoping each song is at least three to five minutes long.
After four have played, I can’t take it any longer. I can’t. I can’t listen. I can’t sit around and wait. I have to—
I cut it off, jerking around in the seat when, yet again, lights catch the mirrors. One of the big, black SUVs from the Brayshaw mansion barrels down the street, and my heart drops into my stomach as I wait, convincing myself it’s going to go right past, that nothing is actually happening here, but then it turns into the same parking lot that we are in, heading straight for where I’m parked.
I’m out of the car faster than it reaches the curb, dashing in the direction the others took off in. I run and run and run until, finally, something comes into view.
I gasp, my feet freezing in place when the loud pop of a gun goes off, and I watch someone fall to the ground.
No …
I stay low, darting forward on shaky legs until I reach the large iron gate of the school pool. My eyes shoot wide when I spot Brielle’s still body in the water, and I start to scale the fence, but then she jerks up and I pause, making out Bastian flying over the fence on the other side, a guy with a gun inching toward the pool’s edge.
Fuck!
I quickly dash a few feet left, tearing open the electrical box and flicking on the pool lights as I look on.
The gunman is blinded, and for a split second, Brielle catches my eye, but her focus moves back to the asshole.
Then the Brayshaws rush in as Brielle talks to the guy who is sure to die today.
I don’t listen, running around the space until I’m near the door.
Just before I reach the other side, loud shouts and cries fill the air, and my heart beats double time, and then a bloodcurdling scream sounds and my heart ceases in my chest.
I spot the body on the ground first, blood darkening the cement beneath him and my legs threaten to give out when I spot the dark clothing, but then to his left, Bastian shoots to his feet, and everything in me settles, an unexpected sob bubbling from my lips.