Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“What is it?” Wicked repeats, coming into the kitchen and ignoring Val.
I look between the two of them. “That was Mikhail.”
Wicked chuckles, leaning back against the fridge and crossing his ankles. He’s still shirtless, with nothing but a clean set of sweatpants. I’m guessing Royce or Khaos brought them for him.
“Fuck,” Val sneers, entering the kitchen further. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I don’t think he’s going to let you out of it. Even with your father back, we still need that bridge of peace between the two families, or we both risk a war that either side could possibly lose.”
I hold my hand up, stopping him from talking as I turn back to the coffee machine, pull down a mug, and pour the dark java into it. Leaning against the counter, I inhale, exhale, and take a sip. I feel my muscles unknot as the caffeine hits my blood. “I know. He has just made that very clear.” I refuse to look at Wicked when I answer, keeping my eyes on Val. “I need you to take me to where they’re meeting.”
“I can’t, Rubs. I have strict orders to keep you here, and since he’s home now—”
My eyes close and I take another large gulp, this time burning the hairs on the back of my throat. “I get it.”
Val steps closer to me, but a safe distance away. I feel the energy in the room shift the closer he gets. “I’m sorry about your mama.”
“Yeah.” I blink up at him. “Me too.”
The night was dark, and I ran through the clearing of the forest, running and running until my legs couldn’t fucking run anymore. Through the splitting of the trees ahead, I could see it. The white, abandoned building. Abandoned, at least from what people knew. Flickering of lights forged on through some of the windows, and I stepped forward, squinting to see up ahead.
He stood there with a dark robe and blood-red tie around his waist. I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel the anger pulse through my veins the closer I got to him. There was a city car parked at the front, tinted windows and headlights beaming. Skully removed the hoodie from his head and leaned into the car.
The back doors swung open, and I watched as he carried a girl’s body out, cradling it in his arms.
I fell backward slightly, wiping the sweat from my forehead.
A hand came to my back, shoving me forward. “You’re not going anywhere.”
I spun around, coming face-to-face with Jordan, one of the other members. “She looks young.”
“She is young,” Jordan answered, stepping to the side and moving the branch out of the way. I was fine exercising out on my own, but as per usual, Jordan liked to ride my dick about everything. We all knew it was jealousy. “She’s also different. I feel like to Skully, this one is different.”
We both made our way through the trees, and I paused when I was about to pass the front of the car. His eyes locked on mine, and for a brief moment, I wanted to launch my fist in the car.
“Come on, fucker!” Jordan called out ahead. “Or you don’t eat.”
I dragged my eyes away from him, jogging up the withered old steps and to the front entrance. It was extra quiet tonight, and I wondered in the back of my mind if it had anything to do with her. I hadn’t even met her yet, nor did I know her, but Jordan was right. There was something about her that Skully needed—no—wanted. I just hoped it wasn’t what I thought it would be.
Making my way through the hallway, I turned my head just in time to see Skully sitting beneath the cross in the chapel. Bright red lights shone through stained glass windows, and the bench chairs were pushed up a little too close together since the space was small. In the background, I could hear cutlery clinking and the distant smell of roasted chicken, but I knew he would want to see me.
I took one step through the entry.
“Close the door.”
I paused before reaching back and closing both of the swinging doors. Turning back around, I took the steps toward him, head cast down enough to not show my eyes. Also, where the fuck did he put her? Was she in here?
I counted the steps that echoed through the cold space until I was just behind his bench. Lowering myself down, I finally raised my head. “You wanted to see me?”
“Hangman…” One name, one meaning. I didn’t hate it, even though I knew I should. I just hoped that what he was doing with this girl, wasn’t what he usually did. “I got a new drop tonight.” I leaned back in my chair, eager to listen. I think he liked that about me over the other kids. I didn’t mind listening. I preferred it. If you listened close enough, people always told you who they were. “This one is different, though. She’s not for product.” My brows hit my hairline. I felt a sudden relief that that was the case. “Once a week, she will drop on our doorstep until she turns seventeen.”