Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 150546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 753(@200wpm)___ 602(@250wpm)___ 502(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 753(@200wpm)___ 602(@250wpm)___ 502(@300wpm)
I took a step forward, but a hand came to my belly. It was a ghost of a touch. Physically unfamiliar, spiritually everything I’d ever known.
The words that came from his mouth scribbled poetry over my skin. “Halo…”
I pulled away from him and before I could think twice, I ran.
How could he? Why was he?
I ran so fast that I didn’t realize when the soft blades of grass beneath the soles of my feet turned to shards of gravel that cut through my skin.
I didn’t stop when I flew through the doors to the building, tears streaming down my face and clothes drenched in water. Four people stood at the bottom of the staircase to the main room, all dressed in black. They slowly turned, just as the door slammed closed behind me.
My hands shook as I dipped them into the stoup and crossed myself with water that was anything but holy. This wasn’t a church. This was hell.
Their faces were covered by black hoods, but I knew who they were. My bottom lip trembled and my heart fractured in my chest.
“I don’t want—” Someone grabbed me from the back of my throat before forcing my face into the stoup. I desperately tried to push away, break free. My lungs burned every time I took in water, but it was no use. Nothing was of use.
My muscles gave way before I did.
They could take me. All of me.
War
If there was one thing that I was thankful for when it came to the girls, it was that they weren’t interested in expanding their circle any further than what we had. Evie didn’t count. She was family.
River bounces down the steps that lead into the lounge, where I’m smoking a blunt and sipping on whiskey. The way it slides down my throat like honey means it’s expensive.
She raises a brow, flicking her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Should I be worried about this party tonight?”
“Worried how?” I ask, biting down on the trunk. I narrow my eyes at her cheekily and she crosses her arms in front of herself, cocking her hip. River has been an actual pain in my ass since the day she took her first breath in this world. I mean, deep down, I was happy for the olds, but at the same time, like why couldn’t they give me a brother? Or anything. Anything easier than River.
Even as those words filter through my mind, I wince. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. Whether she’s a pain in the ass or not, River is as loyal as a fucking golden retriever… who just so happens to have a Doberman and pit bull as best friends.
She flops down onto the single leather sofa near the fireplace. Flames lick up the back of the stone as River swings her legs back and forward restlessly.
“You take your meds today?”
She doesn’t answer. That’s a no.
“That skirt is rather short, little sis…” I flick ash into the metal tray on the coffee table. All of our parents smoke chronic, which makes it easy for us because we’ve never had to hide the fact that we do. Not that we would hide it anyway. Just saves the argument.
“So is my patience with you today, big brother, so please, if you have something to say—say it.”
Straight to the point. Good.
“What did Halen mean about you guys going out of Riverside to party?” I try not to make it obvious why I’m asking. I mean, I am asking for all of us… not just for me.
“It’s true.” River plays with her nails, staring up at me from behind dark-lined eyes. She looks like Dad when she does that. I should tell her. Ruin her day. “We’ve been doing it since we were in high school.” She swings around. “So. Where’s the alcohol?”
Her heels clink down the way she came when she disappears in search for alcohol, just as Vaden leans against the wall on the opposite side.
His tall frame towers over the bar, and I watch as he stares Stella up and down when she passes him, her black hair flowing down her back like fucking silk. The music is loud, but no one has arrived. After Bishop announced that the girls were coming in, we all knew better than to challenge him, even though I know he expected me to. Priest was right. That didn’t mean I had to like it, or that I was going to get used to it quickly.
“They all leave?” I ask Vaden, but eye Stella as she quirks a brow down at me. Fuck. This is already fucking weird.
Exhaust pipes idle outside and headlights beam through the windows that overlook the garden out the back. The heady sound of Japanese imports and American muscle shake the glass that separates us from the pool area.