Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“I know.”
“Do you?” Her voice sharpens. This isn’t the suffocatingly soft check-in that I expected, and I’m almost relieved that this is going to turn into a fight. I drop onto the bed, feeling like I’m sixteen years old again and in trouble for sneaking a bottle from the wine cellar. Mom narrows her eyes. “You are a Belmonte. Your actions have consequences for more than just you. If that man belonged to anyone but Hook, his death could have been enough to tip us into a conflict with another territory.”
I snort. “There hasn’t been war in decades.”
“Exactly,” she snaps. “Because people have worked hard to make that the truth. They didn’t do it by being selfish and reckless.”
I should feel guilty. I know I should. But she’s standing here and judging me when I know for a fact she did some crazy shit when she was my age. And war was an ongoing threat at that time. “That’s rich coming from you.”
“I see there’s no reasoning with you right now.” Mom shakes her head. “We’ll talk in the morning. And I do mean it when I say we’re going to talk, Ruby. You’re going to explain what the hell is going on with you.” She turns and walks out of the room.
The second I don’t have her strong personality to crash against, I wilt. She’s right. I’m being reckless and selfish. I’m not just a normal person who will only hurt myself with my actions. If I manage to single-handedly drag Carver City into another war . . .
Well, not single-handedly. Wolf played his part too.
With that in mind, I grab my purse and dig through it to find my phone.
What the fuck was that, Wolf?
He doesn’t make me wait long.
Wolf
You know what, baby.
I hate the way heat lances me at those four little words. I do know what. I’ve been playing with fire, and I’m too much of a damn fool to stop.
You can’t just go around killing people like that.
Wolf
Are you mad I slit his throat . . . or that you would do it all over again because you like how you came hard and messy all over my fingers?
I flush and almost throw my phone across the room. Damn him. No one else has ever tapped into this part of me. I didn’t even know I had the potential for this messiness inside me. This all might have started with me stepping off the path set out for me, but I had no way of knowing I’d end up lost in the woods with no way out.
Or that I might not want a way out.
Wolf doesn’t wait for a response this time.
Wolf
Or maybe it’s that you can’t wait to do it again.
Ding ding ding, we have a winner. I hate myself more than a little for that truth. But not enough to stop.
But now that I’m standing here, my blood buzzing with shame and anger, I can’t help wondering if my little stunt the other night put two more people in danger. I hold my breath as I text Zayne.
What are you doing?
He responds immediately.
Zayne
Is this a ‘you up’ text? Maybe Michelle is right and I SHOULD be worried about you.
I glare at my phone even as relief makes me light-headed. That’s Zayne, all right.
Just making sure you’re still alive and having expired from wanting Tatiana.
Zayne
You’re so mean. I adore it. Welcome back, Ruby. Come out with us next weekend?
Sure. Text me the details later.
I want to be done, but if Wolf might hesitate to harm one of the other children of territory leaders, he seemed really determined for me not to fuck Tatiana in particular. I dig out the card she gave me.
I think I’ll hang onto that picture, but I just wanted to say thanks for the other night.
Is there a good way to ask her if she’s been menaced by a guy in a skull mask? I bite my bottom lip. She isn’t a friend or family member. I don’t want her to think I’m trying to manipulate her into seeing me again, but surely she’d appreciate a proper warning?
Also, this is really awkward, but I’ve acquired a bit of a stalker and he’s kind of possessive, so keep an eye out, okay?
Tatiana
It’s really sweet that you are worried about me, but I can take care of myself. Have a good night, Ruby.
Well, that’s a clear dismissal if I’ve ever read one. I shove my phone back into my purse and rise. I can’t dodge a conversation with my parents indefinitely, but I sure as fuck can do it right now. Maybe by the time they track me down, I’ll actually know what to say. There’s no avoiding disappointing them—that ship has long since sailed—but surely there’s something that will make this less catastrophic?