Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Interesting. Honestly, my family would be disappointed I was sleeping with the enemy and accidentally let a few secrets slip, but I was more intrigued by his desperation. “And if I lose?”
“Then I use what you gave me how ever I please. And your family gets buried beneath it.”
My fingers curled against the bookshelf behind me. “What are the three questions?”
He pushed off the desk and walked toward me with measured steps. “Simple. One, who are my parents? Two, where was I born? And three, why did the Vescovi family adopt me, mind you I use that term very loosely?”
I frowned. “You don’t even know the answers to those.”
“Exactly.” He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. “That’s what makes it fun. Clearly they don’t want me to know and the only way to find out would be having someone else do the dirty work.”
“And why me?”
“You’re the only one arrogant enough to try. And you already gave me the name of someone reckless enough to bleed for answers.” There was a catch. There is always a catch with men like Cassian. Nothing was face value and if you thought that then you may as well ask where to stand while they pointed the trigger or knife in your direction.
“Louis.” I uttered his name like a curse. The guy had been through hell and back, and what? Now that he was my bodyguard and he lost my sister to Ace he was just existing.
Cassian, his stated name, nodded once. “He’s your Trojan horse. Your martyr. Your monster. Use him wisely to infiltrate, the family always tests new blood and if they can get someone to play both sides they’ll tell him more than me.” He took two steps toward me and flicked my chin up with his fingers. “It will be fun, you’ll see.”
"What if he doesn’t say yes?”
Cassian eyed me up and down. “I highly doubt anyone as depressed as Louis would have the soul to say no, especially to the sister of the girl he really wanted but never got, don’t you think?”
“Cruel,” I snapped. “Even for you.”
To both of us. To me and Louis. It was a reminder. I wasn’t the girl you married was I? I was the girl you had fun with.
My sister was the one you fought for.
I was the one you forgot until it was too late.
It’s why I’d always tried to be the best, there would be no white horse, no savior, nobody. I had two hands and I’d learned how to use them—what’s more important, I had a body and it was just as dangerous as anyone’s gun.
I eyed Cassias hand. “It’s not like the secrets I shared would get me killed.”
He smiled down at me. “Oh sweetheart, you’re not worried about bloodshed, you’re worried about freedom. Besides, we both know you’re just as bored as I am even if you’re too afraid to admit it. We both win, and we have a little fun while we’re at it.” He held out his hand. “Deal?”
I stared at his hand then back at him. With a grin of my own, I grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him in for a searing kiss then whispered, “Deal.”
“God, I wish I was into commitment, you’d be one to bring me to my knees.” He pressed a hand on my shoulder, shoving me to the ground. “Then again, I’ve always been more of a fan of seeing you on yours.”
"Careful.” I snapped my teeth. “I bite small things.”
He roared with laughter. “Oh yes, I would have definitely wanted to keep you, Tempest.”
"Jokes on you, I’m impossible to keep.”
"Poor Louis indeed,” Cassian said before walking off and giving me his back. “Two months, Tempest, I’ll give you two months before the game ends and we decide if you’re family ships you away or if you’re actually useful—not on your knees.”
“I’ll set my alarm,” I snapped.
"Do that,” he called. “I’ll be watching, oh and there will be a package delivered, be sure to use every last drop of it on your husband otherwise I fear he won’t make it past the door of our compound. He needs to build up a tolerance to every poison they give him. He’ll need to experience them so he knows how to fight them once given and knows what to do and how to react.”
“Done.”
“Good. A week or two should be enough time for him to prepare. Once I know the date and time for the meeting, I’ll let you know, I’m putting my neck out there in saying I have a new recruit for them, I hope you understand, once you say yes there is no out. They’ll of course have the final say, but I’ve never suggested a member before and they’ll be absolutely delighted that someone tied to your family wants in. He’ll have to follow the instructions accordingly. I can only plan ahead for what they typically do when inviting new members to the meeting and he doesn’t want to leave in a body bag. Right? Done?” He held out his hand.