Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
My smile is my answer.
“That investment deal was bullshit from the start,” Hella says, with a tone far too calm. “I knew something was off about that cocksucker the moment he walked into your bakery.”
“Oh, did you?” I snap, heat rising in my cheeks. “Funny how you didn't mention that when you were reading over my contract.”
His eyes snap to me. “Would you had listened? Too busy chasing dollar signs to see what was right in front of you.”
“Fuck you, Hella.” I push away from the table. “I built that business from nothing. You don't get to judge my choices.”
Beast's voice cuts through our argument. “Enough.” He leans forward, elbows on the table. “We'll look into Richard, dig up what we can find. For now, you and Millie stay here where we can protect you. Doesn't make a helluva lot of sense that he's chasing you this hard, darlin'.”
Divert, divert, divert. “I just need somewhere safe until I figure this out.” I wrap my arms around myself. “I'm not asking for...”
“You're not asking for shit,” Hella interrupts. “We're telling you what's going to happen.”
My jaw clenches. “Right, because you're so good at telling people what to do.”
His brows lift. “Better than you are at making smart decisions.”
I push my chair back with a screech. “Let me know what you find on Richard. Or don't. I'm sure Hella will decide that for me too.”
I storm toward the door, ignoring Yana calling my name. I don’t know why I thought he’d moved on from tormenting me. Clearly, I’d misguided myself, and now it’s too late to think of another plan.
Twenty-Two
Melissa
“Melissa!” Millie whispers harshly at me as we find a quiet spot. “Why didn't you tell them the truth?”
I pull out a chair and grab two drinks Old Fella pours for us, placing them back on our table. “We'll start with you first. Why were you running?”
Her face slips. She sips her water, and then again, before finally placing the glass onto the table. “Someone's after me.”
“What?” I whisper, checking to make sure no one hears. Two prospects wander nearby while Yana entertains the Vixens over by the pool table, but other than that, either people are still in the Chapel or they’re outside.
“Yeah, I—I heard something I shouldn’t have.” Fear threads through her words before she gulps more water.
“Who? What?” Questions spill from my lips.
Millie sets her glass down. “The Priest. He—”she pauses, shaking her head. “I just overheard him telling the nun something that shocked me. He saw me, and had made my life hell.”
“Shit,” I whisper, blinking back the memories I had of the cathedral in Prague. “Well, don’t worry. You’ll be safe here too.”
A small smile crosses her face as she nods, just as the Chapel doors swing open.
“How were the Vixen’s?” I ask Yana as she pulls out the chair beside me, finally finished with what I bet was an interrogation.
Yana shrugs. “Not bad, I guess.”
“Do they all deliberately style themselves as pinup girls?” My eyes scan the group. “Hella would've fucked every single one by now.”
Realisation hits me that I voiced this thought aloud, and I quickly down my remaining drink. “I need air.”
Nyx had been with me the last time I visited this place. His friendship held me like a baby when I needed it. Now I'm an orphan, left to deal with this biker on my own. I'm curious what he would have said if I had told him everything about my past.
My gaze falls on the old Pohutukawa tree in the corner, the same tree where Nyx and I once sat discussing our fucked-up lives. My feet carry me toward it without conscious thought.
I settle against the trunk with a heavy sigh. Questions flood my mind about why I returned to this place that stripped away whatever sanity I had left when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Guilt seeps through me as I slide my phone unlocked onto Chase's message. Despite his average qualities, all of which I'd take over Hella's excessively disappointing ones, we managed to maintain mutual ground. I wish I could settle down with someone like him without getting bored.
I wish I were just... normal.
u get there okay?
I did. Thanks for checking in.
No problem. That was a little intense…
I laugh. I can practically see his fresh-faced grin through the screen, and my mood lightens.
Just a little.
What're u wearing?
A hint of a smile plays across my lips. My spine settles against the rough bark while my fingers dance across the screen, composing my reply.
Nothing interesting. Though I could do with some help removing my clothes…
u and I both know u don't need any help. What r u thinking about?
I'm thinking I'd much rather be under u right now…
Me too baby. My hand is gripped around my cock with thoughts of ur screams filling my ears.