Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
My gut roils at the thought of where that fifth door leads and I hurriedly avert my gaze. Swallowing thickly, I continue straight ahead, my bare feet padding silently on the marble flooring.
This home is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s more of a mansion than a house. I’ve heard rumors and stories about this place, but nothing could have done it justice.
Light pours in from the massive windows in the sleek, modern kitchen. Just beyond the back wall that’s lined with black glass from floor to ceiling, I think I can see a garden outside. It’s so much brighter here compared to the hall where there wasn’t a single window, or to his room where all the curtains were pulled tight.
The entire kitchen is spotless as if it’s just been cleaned and smells of a hint of lemon. The dark walnut floors are polished to such a high shine, I can see my reflection in them.
I only get two steps into the kitchen, without an idea of where the coffee machine would even be, when I hear the distinct sound of masculine voices behind me. Their heavy footsteps are sudden and their tones casual.
With my heart racing, I spin on my heel with fear striking through me at the sight of the Cross brothers.
Silence slips between us as the three of them walk in, then immediately halt when they see me.
All three are dressed for the day. Jase and Daniel wear slacks with a button-down and polo, respectively. Carter is in a slim-fitted, dark gray suit with no tie. They could tell me the cuff links Carter wears cost more than my mother’s house and I would believe them. From the way they’ve all styled their hair, to the clean shave of their sharp jawlines, wealth drips from them. So does their savagery.
And then there’s me, surprised and underdressed, alone and in the middle of their kitchen where I know I don’t belong.
In only the Henley that Declan left for me, I cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to hide myself. The motion breaks up the three of them staring. Jase and Daniel avert their gazes to exchange glances.
Carter doesn’t look away, though.
“I was just—” I start to explain as my pulse pounds in my ears, fear churning in my gut, but the pain hits me unexpectedly and my hand comes up to my throat.
“You all right?” Daniel questions and I remember last night when he brought me a blanket, before Declan told me all of this was over, sealing that deal with a rough fuck and I was able to get a few hours of sleep. Without my consent, my gaze moves to the table and I wish the blanket was still there so I could cover myself with it.
“Do you need help?” Jase asks when I don’t respond.
“Just …” I try to answer, but with the three of them there, assuming or thinking things that aren’t true, and Declan nowhere to be found … a dread cold creeps inside of me and all I can think of was what happened the last time the three of us were here.
“It’s okay, just … what is it that you need?” Jase presses, snapping me out of it as he approaches me, brow raised along with his hands. He looks me in the eye. “Did Declan give you any … instructions?”
I don’t know why the truth keeps me silent like it does. I’ve always known they kill people. Even if I hadn’t seen it, I’ve known since I was a little girl that these men are bad. Being alone with them after what happened yesterday is more than a little overwhelming and my words fail me. A wave of light-headedness comes over me and I nearly feel faint until the sound of a chair dragging across the floor grips my attention.
“Sit down,” Carter commands from across the kitchen, his hand still gripping the back of the chair.
My body moves on its own, propelled by fear mostly, but I have to be careful as I sit. I suck in air through my teeth and wince, but I take a seat as directed.
Even through the pain and through the pounding headache, my focus remains on the fact that all three of them are watching me. When I look up, Carter stares back with slight concern.
“Do you need an Advil?” Jase’s question comes with the shake of a bottle and I watch him as he closes a cabinet.
“Yes, please.”
“Let me get you water too,” he comments.
I nearly tell him I can do it, wanting to confess I just came in for a cup of coffee and I didn’t mean to bother them, but instead of the statement leaving me, the words stay put at the back of my throat. I grip the edge of the table as if it’s keeping me grounded. Daniel and Carter are still staring, even though Daniel has the decency to glance away when I look up at him.