Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Mian might never forgive you if she saw you wasting her precious Rocky Road.” My attempt at humor fell flat when her indignant cerulean eyes found me watching her.
She took her time setting her spoon in the bowl. “In my opinion, she’s far too forgiving.”
The chill she delivered had me pondering the advantage of offering her a job. Her natural innocence would make a great disguise as my enforcer. Instead, I took a seat across from her and stretched out my legs.
“What are you doing?” She sat straighter and flattened her back against the wall.
“I think it’s time we talk.”
She looked as if she’d rather French kiss a snake. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” Neither of us spoke as we willed the other to give in. When she shot forward and braced her hands on the table, I hid my triumph.
“This marriage is a mistake. She already tried to kill you once. What makes you think she won’t do it again?”
“Are you worried about me?”
“I’m warning you. It’s my friend I’m worried for.”
“She’s safe as long as she’s married to me. I won’t hurt her.”
“You can’t really believe that when you’re forcing her to honor a marriage made without her knowledge.”
“Divorce isn’t an option in my family, Anna. Death is the only end.”
“You just said you wouldn’t hurt her,” she accused on a cry. She started to slide from the bench, probably to warn Mian, when I grasped her hands tightly in my own.
“Anna.” Her name was a plea. “She’s in too deep. The blood in her veins no longer belongs to her. It belongs to Alexander’s legacy. If she leaves, she dies.”
“You’re saying you’ll kill her because your Uncle’s book will want it?”
“She’ll die even if I don’t.”
“You’ll protect her,” she demanded.
My head jerked. “I’ll be dead long before they come for her.”
“Your own family will kill you if you let her go?” I didn’t answer. She’d already pieced it together. She just needed to accept it as I was forced to. “This is sick. You’re sick. This entire family is sick.”
I know.
“We’ve been this way for two hundred years, and it’s not about to change because of one girl. I may rule, but they can still hold me accountable.”
“Who?”
“Any eligible heir in my family who wants to take my place.” I let her hands go and sat back. I had her attention now, even if she looked ready to bolt. “If I fail to produce an heir, power simply returns to Alexander’s line. If I betray this family, however, the first eligible heir who kills me will assume power.”
“These rules… can you change them?”
“Never.” My family would consider it their right to kill me for even suggesting it.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll keep her… and I’ll protect her.”
She nodded, but the distrust in her eyes never left. “Then I guess there’s nothing left for us to say.”
She took her bowl of melted Rocky Road as she rose from the bench. I watched as she rinsed it out and placed it in the dishwasher. She was leaving, and I was going to let her when she turned back at the edge of the kitchen and hugged her waist.
“Something on your mind?” My voice was casual, but I felt the tension as I waited. She hesitated for a second and then came to a decision.
“Are you only staying married to Mian to protect her?”
I sat back and eyed her. “Would there be another reason?” I mused, even though I knew what she was implying. Everyone except Mian seemed to be convinced I was in love with her… including me.
“Other than the only one that matters?” Her mouth set in a thin line. “No.” She pivoted her golden hair flying around her shoulders as she did. I was left alone to wonder if it was more cruel to keep Mian married to me or to let her leave knowing she’d never be safe.
My phone began to ring while I was piling mountains of meat on a sandwich. Checking the caller id, I tensed when I read the senator’s name. Lucas and Z must have had a sixth sense for trouble because they walked in the moment I accepted the call.
“For your sake, this call better start and end with something I want to hear.” The grins Lucas and Z wore fell as they went deathly still.
“Mr. Knight, as always, speaking with you is a pleasure.”
“Cut the shit. When and where?”
“I hold all the cards, son. You may want to watch how you speak to me.”
I had forced a deep breath before I spoke. “Are you ready to do this?”
“Tonight, in your family’s cemetery. I won’t tell you to be there alone because I’ll have my own protection with me. So if you’re thinking of trying something, don’t. It won’t end well for either of us.”