Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
The man who held my hand through it all and didn’t judge me, even when he thought I’d lost my mind. If anything, he promised to protect me — including from myself.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve only had myself to rely on. Protection could’ve only been provided by me. Having Jonathan there brings a certain peace I’ve never experienced before.
But it’s not just about the sense of protection he brings. No. It’s also about how he doesn’t allow me to get lost in the maze in my head. It’s almost as if he knows how dark it gets and pulls me out every time.
I’m not sure what it is about him that allows him to read me so well. I doubt it’s because of the age difference, which, ironically, I don’t think about anymore, and when I do, it’s more with awe than anything else.
Not only does Jonathan know me, but he also recognises my needs before I come to terms with them myself. He’s taught me that recognising one’s own strength and weaknesses is what makes you strive higher.
With him, I feel both vulnerable and powerful. I can take on the world, but at the same time, I’m scared he’ll pull the carpet from underneath my feet one day.
Because right now? I seriously cannot imagine my life without him. The fact that he was once my sister’s husband barely gives me pause anymore.
I’m so sorry, Alicia. I’m the worst sister to ever exist.
Our first stop as soon as we arrive in England is Birmingham.
“I could’ve come to check on Layla on my own,” I tell Jonathan as the butler welcomes us inside Ethan’s Birmingham mansion — or palace. It’s a lot bigger than the one in London, and Moses had to drive a long time before we were able reach the entrance with its majestic lion statues and high towers.
“You think I’d let you come to Ethan’s house alone?” The question is clearly rhetorical since Jonathan continues in that haughty tone of his, “Nonsense.”
“Don’t be a jerk to him, okay?” I whisper in case someone is around. “We’re in his house, after all.”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether or not he looks in your direction.”
I chuckle. “You can’t be serious.”
He fixes me with one of his uptight glares. “I’m dead serious, and if you want me to prove it in front of him, I will.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. After all, you used to share women in the past.” And no, I’m still not over that.
“The key phrase in your sentence is ‘in the past’. I wouldn’t even share a table with him willingly.”
“So I’ve been wondering… If you guys weren’t fighting, would you still be sharing women?”
He grips me by the waist, his fingers digging into my side. “Why the fuck are you asking these questions? We already established that Ethan, or anyone else, is off the fucking table. I wouldn’t share you for the rest of your life.”
“You mean your life?”
“Your life. Death won’t stop me, wild one. I’ll find a way, even as a ghost.”
“I have no doubt about that.” The masculine voice coming from our right pauses our conversation.
Instead of letting me go, Jonathan keeps me planted to his side with a possessive hand at the small of my back.
Ethan stands at the base of the stairs, placing a hand in his trousers’ suit pocket and smiling amicably. “Welcome to my Birmingham residence, Aurora. Jonathan, it’s been a long time since you’ve come here. More than twenty years, I believe.”
“Not long enough.”
I elbow him and whisper, “Play nice.”
“He’s looking at you, so that’s a no,” Jonathan says in a voice loud enough for Ethan to hear.
“Always a charmer, Jonathan.” Ethan smiles at him, but there’s no welcoming in it.
The latter returns it with a scowl.
The amount of testosterone around here is high as hell. I can almost taste it on my tongue.
“Where are Layla and her parents?” I ask to dissipate the tension.
“Mr and Mrs Hussaini went for a stroll, and as for Layla —”
Ethan’s words cut off when a door opens from the other side of the room, and in comes Layla carrying basket of roses, throwing the petals at a solemn-faced Agnus. He doesn’t seem to enjoy it in the least, but he remains silent as she grins. “I could totally turn you into a princess, Agnus. If anyone can do it, it’s me.”
Ethan laughs, and even Jonathan is about to smile before he seals his reaction, as usual. I’m beginning to see a pattern between Ethan and Jonathan. One is more open and the other is closed off. However, they have a lot of traits in common — the most important of all, their hunger for power. The more they have, the more they want. That’s why they clicked a long time ago.