Total pages in book: 193
Estimated words: 184001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 920(@200wpm)___ 736(@250wpm)___ 613(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 920(@200wpm)___ 736(@250wpm)___ 613(@300wpm)
She turns slowly, and the crestfallen look on her face immediately puts me on edge. She doesn’t say anything, but the hand holding the magazine trembles, so I take it from her and read the cover.
The Estate of Aurelia George sued—Lawsuit reaches $40 million
“It says my uncle is refusing to pay a penny to the families who lost a loved one in the crash because of the contract they signed when they were employed waiving indemnity. They lost their—” Her voice catches as tears build in her eyes before falling uncontrollably. “Some of them were fathers, Seth. They had children, and my uncle doesn’t care. He still won’t pay.”
“Shit, Sunshine.” I pull her into me, and she sobs into my chest.
“He can’t get away with this.”
“He won’t.”
“I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“You will.” I promise. If she can get to him before I do.
“What’s up?” Khalil asks as he walks over. “What happened?”
“Later.”
Aurelia turns without a word and grabs every magazine from the stands before handing them to Thorin, who stares after her when she leaves the store. He walks over to the cashier to pay. Khalil and I follow her back to the truck, and then we drive back to the cabin in silence once Thorin catches up.
The moment we’re inside, Aurelia begins poring over every magazine looking for more information about the lawsuit. As it turns out, not only is her uncle trying to get the courts to waive the seven-year-rule for the presumption of death, but he’s also ignoring the cries of the victims’ families while silently selling off her catalogs to the highest bidder.
When she’s done, Aurelia doesn’t say a word for the rest of the night, but I can see the silent fury sliding over her features as she plots her vengeance and more. It’s a few more hours before she tucks it all away. I’m sitting on the front porch staring at the moon—for some fucking reason—when the front door opens behind me. I know it’s her by her soft footsteps. She lowers herself onto the step next to me, and we sit quietly for a few moments before she speaks.
“Are you ready?” she whispers.
I peer down at her with my brow raised. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“We made a promise.”
“That we did,” I agree even though I’m more than a little reluctant to keep it. But if I don’t, why should Zeke? I stand and help Aurelia up, and then we walk away from the cabin and out of the clearing together. We walk in silence until we reach a precipice not far away that has a clear view of the moon. It’s so close that it feels as if I could reach out and touch it. But I don’t, because I’m too busy drinking in the sight of Aurelia in the moonlight. She’s the real breathtaking image.
Aurelia steps closer to me and rests her soft fingers on my forehead just above my brows. It’s something we’ve been practicing and perfecting these last three months. Feeling her one last time helps to calm me. Helps me to say goodbye, to let go.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you more, Sunshine.”
Softly, she trails her fingers down my face and whispers, “Chrysalis.”
EZEKIEL
She’s the first thing I see when I wake up, and just like all the other times, I feel my racing heartbeat slow a lot quicker than it would if she hadn’t been there.
“I’m here. You’re safe,” she says. “We’re still in the Cold Peaks, not far from the cabin. It’s only been a day since you were last awake. Khalil and Thorin are fine, and everyone’s safe.”
Her lips trembles and I shake off my own anxiety to pull her close. “But you’re not fine. What’s wrong, princess? Did something happen?”
As we’ve been doing for the last three months, she quickly runs down the day, ending with the news that her uncle was, surprise, surprise, a heartless piece of shit.
“I’m sorry, princess.”
She laughs, but it’s humorless while a tear streams down her cheek. “Kiss me, please. I’ve missed you.”
I give in to her demand and kiss her senseless before picking her up and wrapping her legs around my waist as I walk us back to the cabin. Khalil and Thorin are lounging around the living room, pretending they aren’t tense and waiting for our return, but I see the collective sigh they release when they see us unharmed.
“How did it go?” Khalil asks as he sets aside one of the many magazines spread around the living room floor. “All good?”
“Yup. So how was Meera?” I ask as I take a seat in the recliner with Aurelia in my lap.
“She seemed happy. Healthy. The pups are huge.”
“Yeah, so big it doesn’t really feel right calling them pups anymore,” Thorin points out.
Aurelia gives him a withering look. “Khalil, be a dear and hand me that apple so I can throw it at Thorin’s head.”