Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 68691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
But I cut in.
“We already bought you a ticket, Violet, no worries,” I reminded her smoothly. “Leaves Tuesday, we’ll see you here Wednesday.”
But Violet still wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly, “there’s so much going on, everything’s so complicated,” her voice trailed.
And I understood the hesitation. Violet knew that we were Legionnaires now, that we worked for our half-brother, that we probably saw our father on a regular basis.
“Do Kristian and Georg know who you are?” she asked slowly, quietly.
And I’d shook my head even though she couldn’t see.
“No,” I ground out, “they have no idea.”
And the sigh from across the ocean was loud enough to tear my heart, make it crumple and fold a bit.
“Well I hope you know what you’re doing,” she said slowly. “It sounds like playing with fire, taking this job.”
And I grunted then.
“I know Ma, but trust me, it’s fine. Kato and I are fine as Legionnaires, we make a good living, we’re well-suited to the position. So come to the gala okay? It’s doubling as our induction ceremony, they’re going to honor us, make it formal, pin us with badges, all that kind of stuff.”
And my mom sighed.
“Okay, I’ll do it for the two of you,” she said slowly. I knew she was thinking about Prince Georg, how she could avoid him among the masses of crowds sure to be there. But Violet, ever the trooper, sighed and put it out of her mind for the time being, focusing instead on mom stuff.
“How are you and Kato?” she asked gently. “Have you been settling in well? Making new friends? Have you met anyone special?”
I rolled my eyes. Violet has been on us to settle down for a while now and brings it up all the time, even setting us up on long-distance blind dates sometimes. The last one had been with some fifty year-old friend of hers living in Spain, and Kato had I had put the kaput on that one immediately.
But I laughed this time because I had some good news.
“Mom, we’re doing fine,” I assured her. “More than fine. We’ve met someone and want you to meet her.”
And that made my mom squeal.
“Karl, Kato, is it true? Have you really met someone nice? I’m so happy for you,” she chattered, “my baby boys have finally met someone, I’m so excited!”
And Kato and I shared another exasperated glance. Violet’s enthusiasm was flattering but overblown, her level of excitement off the charts and kind of embarrassing. So Kato took the receiver from my hand and said, “Yeah Ma, we’ve met someone special and want you to meet her too, introduce you gals. Can’t wait.”
And Violet was on Cloud Nine by now, heady with excitement.
“Oh I hope she likes me, I know I’ll like her, this will be so fun,” she babbled with anticipation.
“Okay Mom, so we’ll pick you up Wednesday from the airport,” I said gently into the phone. “Bye now.”
And with a soft click, the receiver went silent, leaving my twin and I staring at each other … hoping for the best between our two best girls.
TINA
I let them take me whenever they want, my body always open, always on call for their needs, their desires. I love being the woman in this dirty foursome, the center of attention, and it’s amazing how much I’ve learned in the past couple months, ensconced in Kristian, Kato and Karl’s arms.
Because I’ve left Miss Carroll’s and moved into an apartment with the twins, Kristian spending most nights with us. I haven’t told my parents about my set-up exactly, but the fact I’d left Miss Carroll’s didn’t go down well to say the least. The sad part is that they don’t even care who I’m living with now – it was all about money instead.
“Tina, what’s going on?” asked my dad, concerned. “You know your mom and I hoped that you would come out of Miss Carroll’s with some … ah, results,” he said over the phone.
“You mean, married, right?” I asked archly. “You wanted me to get my M.R.S. degree while I was there, right?”
A pause.
“Well yes, but to the right guy,” said my dad. “For young ladies of a certain social stature, a good match can be made, you know, to someone with … ah, means.”
I rolled my eyes. I hated how they beat around the bush sometimes, as if I was at Miss Carroll’s for fun and leisure, and not my family’s finances. But at the same time, I could hear real concern in his voice, and my heart gave a little because they raised me and loved me in the best way they knew how, even if things hadn’t turned out perfectly.
“Listen Dad, how much do you guys need?” I asked softly. “I’ve saved a little here and there, maybe I could help.”