Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 84194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“You’re going home.”
Both her and Nep jerked, making the cage clang. “We’re what?”
I paced around them again, needing to move as excess rage flowed down my legs. After what they’d done, I found it incredibly hard to reward such grotesque behaviour. But I was also the catalyst for such actions…so the joke was on me.
“You can thank Jinx for my leniency. She begged on your behalf.” I glowered at their shock and suspicion. The girl they’d tried to kill had proven to be above their pettiness in her selfless mercy. “Tomorrow, you will leave my shores. All of you. You will never see me or my islands again.”
I stopped and wrapped my fingers around the bars, making Jupiter slink to the other side. I yanked on the wire, jostling them. “You tell your families that you had an opportunity you couldn’t refuse. If they pry for information, blame no internet or phone coverage for your lack of communication. If they demand to know details, tell them you’ve orgasmed with princes, and fucked politicians, and sucked the cock of billionaires. Willingly.” I smirked. “Or don’t. The choice is up to you. You can tell them whatever you goddamn want, but if you mention my name, my islands, or the other girls in my employ, you won’t need to look over your shoulder for retribution—it will come swift and sharp and your parents will be grieving over your funeral rather than your disappearance, understand?”
Both goddesses nodded. “We understand.”
I let my hands drop from the cage. “Good.” Smoothing out my t-shirt, still smelling Eleanor on my fingers, I muttered, “In that case, I owe you an apology and a thank you. I’m sorry for taking so much from you—for destroying who you once were. I hope you take this experience and use it to improve your life, to know you were strong enough to endure me; therefore, you can conquer anything.” I backed toward the door. “Thank you for allowing me to use you.”
Turning around, I stalked toward the door.
Neptune’s voice halted me as I reached for the handle. “Sullivan?”
I raised an eyebrow, twisting to look over my shoulder, waiting for her to continue.
“Jinx…will you let her go, too? Eventually?”
“Why do you care? You just tried to murder her.”
Nep stood up, rubbing her arms. “I care because she’s not like us…not to you, anyway. We were safe in a way because…you barely noticed us.” She swallowed before adding breathlessly, “You’ve noticed her and I don’t know if that’s a good thing.”
Cracking open the door, I shrugged. “Perhaps she wouldn’t leave, even if I did set her free.”
Jupiter sneered, her anger not appeased with her upcoming demotion. “Keep telling yourself that, Sinclair. Convince yourself that someone could love you. That a woman trapped here wouldn’t use every trick and guile she has to get free.”
I smiled until my cheeks threatened to split. “You didn’t try to get free.”
“No, because I wanted this. I wanted your island…not you.”
My fingers clutched the handle. “Even monsters sometimes find their missing pieces, Lucy.”
She twitched at her real name. She’d have to get used to it again.
“Monsters are the ones who die, not the ones who end up happily ever after.” She crossed her arms. “Stop fooling yourself. We never loved you. We despised you. And now that you’re letting us go…I can be honest with myself about that. Whatever I felt for you. Whatever your bloody elixir made me do…I hate you.”
I bowed, low and mocking. “I don’t care what you think of me, Lucy Hall. Just remember to keep your thoughts hidden from your family. Otherwise, your freedom will be very short-lived.”
I left before I could wrap my fingers around her throat and finish what I started. Maybe Jupiter would be the first to be exterminated after her freedom had been granted. I didn’t trust her. Then again, I didn’t trust any of the girls I released. I kept them under strict surveillance after they went home. Just like I kept surveillance on all the families who adopted the rescued animals I’d nursed back to health.
My mother had taught me that lesson.
Pretend you trust them…but never ever be so fucking stupid.
“Goodbye, Sullivan…and thank you,” Neptune murmured just as the door closed on two girls who were no longer my elixir impassioned goddesses.
Thank you?
What a sad, misplaced phrase.
I didn’t deserve thank you.
I didn’t deserve anything, and that was why it hurt so fucking much wanting Eleanor.
I wanted her…but in my heart, I knew I couldn’t have her.
How could I?
When I revelled in the misery of others.
When I put creatures above humans.
When I refused to change who I was.
* * * * *
To: 89082@gmail.com
From: S.Sinclair@goddessisles.com
Subject: Three staff required
Hello,
I seem to require more housekeepers due to a restructure in my property portfolio. All I ask is they’re young enough to work hard, diligent, and obedient. At your soonest convenience.