Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Blaine
When she finally gets out of class, my heart begins to race with excitement.
My beautiful, darling Crystal so content to finally make it back to her college education like a normal girl even though she’s far from it after what she’s endured.
Of all the joys in life, this is what makes her happy?
I snigger to myself.
“How was it?” I ask.
“Good,” she replies. “Why are you all acting like you don’t go to this school too?”
“We do, but we don’t enjoy it like you do,” I muse.
“Did you learn anything?” Caleb raises his brow. “I saw a ton of texts flying by in the group chat.”
She tucks her hair behind her ear. “A little bit. It’s just good that I can finally go back to semi-normal.”
“Whatever that is,” Caleb growls.
“I’m guessing you guys saw the texts about us?” she asks.
Oh, we all definitely saw, and I don’t mind one bit. Let the world know I love her, I don’t care, not even the slightest, as long as she’s mine.
Ares sighs out loud and turns around, walking off. “Don’t want to talk about it.”
Party pooper.
“Oh …” She follows him, clutching her bag, but when Ares glances at her over his shoulder, she stops and gazes up at him with doe-like eyes.
“What they say has no influence whatsoever over my feelings for you. None.”
Her whole face turns red, and oh my God, I am living for this literal real-life romance novel.
None of the books could ever come close to this.
She gulps and murmurs, “Me too.”
“What’s that? You have feelings for us?” I lean over her shoulder to look into her eyes, and she nearly squeals like she forgot I was there.
“Jesus, don’t scare me like that.”
Caleb bursts out into laughter, and it irritates me. “Don’t make me pull out my—”
“Sword?” Caleb interjects.
Now he’s really ruined my good mood.
“It’s a katana, you seventh-century swine,” I retort.
Caleb narrows his eyes at me. “Oink, oink, motherfucker.” And he sticks up his middle finger.
What the—
“If you don’t stop, I’ll have you both fucking each other’s assholes tonight,” Ares growls.
“Fine, fine, although … I wouldn’t be opposed to that,” I say, winking. “I was just saying, I’m happy she’s content. This is what I wanted.”
“What you wanted?” she parrots like she can’t believe it.
“Of course, darling.” I grab her hand and kiss the top as I always do, instilling my love for her with my lips. She’s like a precious jewel I want to cherish. “I never thought you’d actually fall for these violent boys, but I am glad it led you straight into my arms.”
Crystal
We head outside to the fountain, where Nathan, Kai, Milo, and Lana all sit on the stone edge, smoking.
“Wait here,” I tell my boys.
“Are you sure?” Caleb says, narrowing his eyes at Nathan like he’s got a beef.
“Yeah, I’m safe with them. Don’t worry,” I reply.
“We’ll keep an eye on you to make sure,” Ares says.
“Good luck, my little diamond in the rough,” Blaine says, squeezing my cheek like I’m some kind of chipmunk before I walk toward the fountain.
But every step I take feels more and more unreal.
“Lana?” I mutter when I see her throw her black hair over her shoulder.
Her body freezes at the sound of my voice. Her eyes are as wide as can be when they finally find mine.
“Crystal?” she mutters in disbelief.
She jumps off the fountain, runs across the pebbles, and throws her arms around me. “I can’t believe you’re here and that you’re safe. How did you even get out?”
“Long story, but … the guys from the Tartarus House got me out of that hellhole,” I say, sighing because I really don’t want to think about my time there. “Ares, Caleb, and Blaine were there to save me,” I say. “Anyway, I just wanted to say I’m sorry. It’s my fault those pictures—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” She interjects. “I’m not mad at you. I’ve made peace with it. I don’t blame you, and I don’t want you to feel guilty. In fact, I’m the one who should feel guilty for leaving you all alone in that Bonesmen den.” She hugs me even tighter. “I’m sorry. They were after me and then took you too as collateral damage.”
My eyes tear up, but I swallow them away. “Thank you.” I lean away. “But why were they after you in the first place?”
She takes one glance over her shoulders at the three boys standing there, watching us, and Kai’s penetrative stare makes me gulp.
“Them?” I whisper.
She nods and smiles.
“So … those fuckers actually managed to find you?” Nathan chucks his smoke into the fountain. “I’m impressed.”
I unfurl myself from Lana’s embrace and run to him, hugging him tight.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Crystal,” he says. “I just wish I got there in time to save you too when we got Lana out.” He leans away and grabs my shoulders to take a good look at me. “Did they hurt you?”