Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
She pauses and lets the bubbles on her glass die down before filling it to the brim. “What do you mean?”
“You know, with my brother. When did you know you two were—” I smash my hands together and rub them around.
She seems to get my meaning. “Do you want the honest answer?”
“Probably not, but yes, please.”
“The second I saw him. I didn’t love him yet, but there was—” She wiggles her fingers in the air. “Electricity. You know what I mean?”
“I absolutely do.” I slump back and groan. “I have more chemistry with this champagne than I do with Finn.”
Lucy looks a little panicked. “My situation isn’t normal, you know? Finn seems like a good guy. He’s really attractive and nice, and—”
“And he might as well be a wet rag for all I care.” I take a long drink and let the bubbles tickle my nose. “What am I going to do?”
Lucy takes one of my hands and holds it tight. “You’re going to get through today, first of all. Then you’re going to figure it out. Maybe something will grow between you and Finn.”
“If it doesn’t?”
“You’ll figure it out.” She offers me a weak smile. “If anyone can, it’s you.”
I wish I felt that way. Instead, there’s only this heavy sense of foreboding.
This is all wrong.
The worst part is, for the past couple of weeks, I’ve only been thinking about one person. And it sure as hell hasn’t been my future husband.
It’s the same dream, over and over. The smell is everywhere. My ghost is spice and musk and heaven. Then Cormac’s there, and we’re in bed, and he’s kissing me. Should I steal these sheets? Should I steal your lips? He takes me apart, but it feels so good as he breaks me. I’ll keep these fingers. I’ll save your toes.
I wake up gasping for air and wishing he were there for real.
How is this happening?
Cormac is a nightmare. I’ve been asking around about him, but being as subtle as I can. Everything I’ve learned only makes him sound worse. He’s the Whelan Clan’s Ghostman, their personal assassin and killer. He makes their problems disappear.
His methods are brutal. Apparently, strangling is his favorite technique. Most of his victims are found with their windpipes lovingly crushed. Assuming a body is found at all.
Mostly they just disappear.
He’s cold and heartless. They say he has no emotions, that he’s a psychotic murderer who revels in blood and misery.
And there I was, throwing myself at him in the garden just to get a smell.
Adriano would’ve killed me if he had found out how reckless I was acting.
I wish I hadn’t done it because now I know.
For the past seven years, Cormac Whelan’s been breaking into my suite and stealing little trinkets.
He’s my ghost.
But I still don’t know why. I can’t figure out how we’re connected. Adriano says our family has done very little business with the Whelans over the years, and I’ve never been in the same room with any of them as far as he knows. I’ve racked my brain for days trying to figure out how Cormac could possibly have found me and why he would want to keep floating into my life.
At least he’s not here today. I asked around, and apparently, nobody has seen him. The man’s such a monster, he’s skipping his own brother’s wedding.
It’s strange, but maybe it’s better this way.
I don’t want Cormac around. I’m terrified that after I marry Finn, he’ll keep on stealing from me.
I’m scared it’ll get worse.
But I can’t tell anyone. The fallout might be horrible. Right now, I’m just marching forward, hoping everything magically resolves itself.
“Just one more,” Lucy says, topping up my glass. “Here’s to marriage. You’re going to be happy here, Bianca. You’ve always been so strong.”
“I hope you’re right.” We touch glasses, and I flinch when the door opens again. The planner’s there, looking slightly aggrieved.
“Sorry, ladies, but it’s time.” She touches her earpiece, frowning into the distance. Her frown deepens, and her voice lowers, clearly talking to someone else. “Are you sure? Seriously? But—” She listens for a second. “Right. Okay.” She looks at me and gestures with the biggest, fakest smile I’ve ever seen in my life. “They’re ready for you. We should, ah, hurry.”
Something feels off, but it doesn’t matter. There are a few hundred gangsters, rich people, and politicians waiting out in the ballroom. The show must go on.
I get up and take a deep breath. Slowly, I blow it out. “I can do this.”
“You can definitely do this.” Lucy hugs me tightly. I’m suddenly so grateful she agreed to be my maid of honor. Most of my friends work at Grace House, but there’s no way I’d ever subject them to this part of my life. Which leaves Lucy. She’s wonderful, and at least she understands better than anyone else could.