Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
These guys have been around me all my life. We have grown up together and have learnt each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They’ve seen me at my best and my worst. They know what I’m like when I am focused. When all that matters is making someone pay.
“It’s not going to be easy to bring her into the dynamic, but it can be done. Perhaps she needs to have some time-out in the dungeon, let’s see how strong she really is,” Kai tells me as he settles on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. “But it’s a decision we all make together. Frankly, I would love to see how she deals with that.”
The idea of having Brielle down there is intriguing. “What do you think?” I look at Valen.
“If she can deal with it, then we’ll know she’s strong. And having her on our side will ensure she’s loyal when the time comes.” He looks at me, his response has me nodding.
“Perhaps we find the right moment to do it. I think we need to instil a bit of fear in her, just to see if she breaks,” I say as I consider watching her come into her own. I don’t think she’ll break, but the thought is intoxicating to say the least.
“She’ll have to learn about everything,” Kai says. “I’ll gladly train her. Make sure she’s ready for whatever comes her way.”
“Good,” I respond with a nod. “Let’s get to work. I’m meeting with the new professors soon. They should be flying in shortly, and once those interviews are over, we can figure out what to do with the new princess.”
“And she certainly is a princess,” Valen remarks, causing me to flick my gaze his way.
He’s clearly entranced with her. I think we all are, but there is one hurdle to overcome before we can even consider allowing her in—she needs to make her first kill. And once she does that, we will have the leverage we need to keep her right here.
She will be our queen.
TWISTED PROMISES
BRIELLE
I’ve managed to avoid Judah as my first week of studying comes to an end. I didn’t want to be here, but after attending classes, and finding kinship with the small handful of girls who are studying here, I’ve settled into a routine—wake up, get out of the house, and spend the day at university. When I do return in the early evenings, it’s quiet.
But it’s finally come time to talk to Emilio. Even though he’s my half-brother and we’ve been civil, I haven’t been able to bring myself to say much more than a good morning to him. He looks so much like our father, it’s quite disconcerting.
Saturday morning is bright. The sun is already rising when I make my way down to the kitchen. There’s a handful of staff always on-site, and when I step into the warmth of the heart of the house, I find the cook busy at the hob.
She glances at me and smiles.
“Good morning, principessa,” she greets me with a nod.
I still can’t get used to someone calling me that. I know I’m born to a mafia family, which make me a principessa, but I grew up outside this world.
“Good morning,” I respond before finding a cup and pouring some already brewed coffee.
The scent of the dark liquid makes me hum with appreciation. I add milk and settle at the table where the stack of newspapers awaits the guys. Even though we’re on an island, there’s still a need to keep in touch with what’s happening in the outside world. It could be done via computer, but for some reason, Judah always has these papers delivered.
When I feel a presence enter the kitchen, I don’t want to look, but my gaze is magnetised to the familiar man who saunters into the room. Judah is tall. His lean yet muscled body is encased in a tailored suit, perfectly fitted to his frame. The dark material against his olive skin makes him look like an Adonis. A model stepping off a runway. There’s no doubt about it, he’s breathtakingly gorgeous, but that doesn’t stop him from being an arsehole.
Once he has his coffee in hand, he turns and seems almost surprised to see me. He doesn’t greet me, he doesn’t even acknowledge me as he sits across from me at the table. I watch him intently as he picks up a newspaper, flicks to a page, scans it, then sets it down.
“Today you’ll go to the mainland with Valen,” he says finally, then pierces me with hazel eyes. There are tiny hints of olive green in the irises, making for an intoxicating view.
“What am I meant to do there?” I lean back in my chair as I regard him.
I’m not going to allow myself to be pushed around. As much as Judah intimidates me, I’m not going to show weakness. Papa always taught me that our enemies want to discover what causes us to cower. They’ll use whatever they can to see us break. Judah will learn, though, I’m not easily broken.