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)
“Look, one thing is clear, and that’s the fact that we’re all influencing each other in major ways, and we’re going through some changes that we may not be ready to understand.”
“And in the meantime?”
“I think it’s better if you’re not alone with Zeke anymore. Just until we figure out what is making Bane act out of the ordinary.”
“I think that’s going to be a bit of a problem.”
“Because we live in a shoebox?” I arch a brow. The cabin isn’t small by any means, but it’s easy to forget that Aurelia is a billionaire. Our cabin could probably fit in her living room.
“You all could try shrinking your egos a little. That should save some room for me.”
I grin and get comfortable in my seat. “Not a chance.”
“Worth a shot,” she grumbles.
Two hours later, Aurelia is finishing the last of the plaits when the sound of footsteps on the front porch reaches our ears. Thorin and Zeke must be home. When Aurelia goes to greet them, I stop her and make her stay while I check to verify that it’s actually them. Her uncle not only knows that Aurelia is alive, he now knows exactly where to find her. It’s not a coincidence that he’s been checking up on us.
I leave the dining room and breathe a sigh of relief when the front door opens and I see my brothers walk in. They’re wearing hunting gear, so I figure Thorin must have taken Zeke out to blow off some steam.
“Catch anything good?”
“Not really. You?”
“Just a whole lot of trouble,” I respond.
“Can I come out now?” Aurelia calls out needlessly.
Thorin raises a brow, but he doesn’t look surprised that I made Aurelia wait out of sight. He would have done the same thing.
“Come on,” I grant.
Aurelia inches out, and I roll my eyes at her antics since mocking our need to protect her is her favorite brand of sarcasm. “Hi.” She awkwardly waves a hand.
Zeke nods at her before flopping down on one of the armchairs. Usually, he prefers to hide somewhere alone and brood, but this time he stays with his gaze trained on Aurelia.
He watches me, I hear Aurelia saying.
Thorin crooks a finger at her, and Aurelia nervously shuffles over. She knows she’s in trouble.
“You went to see your uncle?”
“That’s what normal people do when their family is visiting from out of town.”
“I’m sure you can make the exception for family that’s already tried to kill you once.”
“Semantics.”
“Aurelia, my hand is twitching.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. My uncle isn’t stupid. He’s here for a reason, but we’ve got the upper hand.”
“Do we?” Zeke challenges.
Aurelia spins around to face him, and he tries to hide his surprise. “I mean, I guess?”
“So what is the plan now that we have the upper hand, wolf? I’m dying to know how going to see him is keeping you safe and alive.”
“I’m still working on it.”
“I’m pretending to be shocked, but I’m having a really hard time at it. You were reckless.”
“I’m sorry?”
Thorin smiles sharply. “Even if you meant it, it wouldn’t be good enough, songbird.”
“I’m really sorry?”
Even though I can feel his exasperation, the look Thorin gives her is utterly devoid of emotion. It does its job and makes Aurelia squirm. Her brown eyes turn pleading, but it has no effect on Thorin whose mind is already made up.
Aurelia needs to be punished.
“You will be. After a few days of not being able to sit comfortably.” Thorin produces a long and thin but sturdy enough looking branch, and Aurelia’s eyes widen as she backs away. “You’re going to be spanked, and you’re going to take your punishment like a good girl. Do you understand?”
“That depends. Do I get a turn stripping you bare and bending you over to be spanked? I know about Tyler, you pieces of shit. I know he’s alive, and you kept that from me.” Only Zeke reacts to the news, but he’s probably just wondering who the hell is Tyler.
“You also must know the reasons we didn’t tell you,” Thorin admits unfazed. “You’re ours and we don’t share, so what now? Are you breaking up with us to go back to him?”
“What?” Aurelia is visibly startled by the question. “No, of course not. What does that have to do with anything? Tyler was my bodyguard, not my boyfriend.”
“Yeah, and I’m not wild about him having anything to do with your body. Protecting it, fucking it, touching it—it makes no difference to me. He’s treading where he doesn’t belong. Unless Tyler being alive changes things for you, there’s absolutely zero point in knowing his fate. You’ll never see him again.”
Aurelia’s lip curls. “Yeah, you made sure of that, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and I’d do it again.”
“You’re an asshole,” she hisses at Thorin. The two of them always fight the hardest because Thorin is an asshole and Aurelia doesn’t back down.