Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 187754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 939(@200wpm)___ 751(@250wpm)___ 626(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 187754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 939(@200wpm)___ 751(@250wpm)___ 626(@300wpm)
“Doubtful.”
“God, you’re a fucking pussy. I should have smothered you in your sleep when I had the chance.”
Khalil stops dead in his tracks, so I wind up a few steps ahead of him. “When would you have had the chance?” he sputters incredulously.
“Oh, plenty of times.” Spinning around, I close the gap between us despite the warning in his body language to keep my distance. Khalil’s not the only apex predator, so I forge ahead. “And let me clear. If I find even a single hair on Sunshine’s head out of place, I’ll show you just how unserious I was all those times I tried to kill you. I’ll flip that fancy kill switch that Zeke doesn’t think I know about and wake Bane.”
“Cura, what the hell are you—”
“Chrysa—”
“Stop,” he barks and then shoves me immediately. “What the fuck is your problem? How do you know about that?”
Raking Zeke’s fingers through his hair when it falls free of the careful coif I prefer to his messy bed hair, I say coolly, “Don’t worry about it. You just remember that I do, and never mention killing Sunshine again. How can you when you’ve seen how perfect she is for us?”
“Because she’s a fucking loose end who’s going to outlive her usefulness, and you’re the dumb fuck who can’t see that she’s using you.”
“She’s just trying to survive. Any one of us would do the same.”
“Don’t be such a fucking simp, Seth. Aurelia’s no damsel in distress. She’s the evil queen you save the damsel from.”
I step into his face and the deadly tension between us skyrockets. “She’s also the only reason I tolerate you breathing her air. If Zeke wakes up, he won’t be able to take care of her on his own. We might be using her, and she might be using me, but I’m using you.”
Instead of looking worried that I’ve threatened his life twice in a matter of minutes, he smirks. “I guess you better back up off me then.”
I hold his stare for a few seconds longer before I back out of his reach. Only then do I give him my back before continuing our trek to the rescue camp.
Not a minute after Thorin and Aurelia’s weird yet sexually charged fight this morning, we’d gotten the call from Sheriff Kelly that it was safe to resume the search. It was either a genius move or a terrible one, leaving them alone together. I guess we’ll see soon enough since I am more than a little eager to get out of the cold and home to my girl.
I quickened my steps, ready to get this pointless day of searching over with so I could see her again. After my argument with Khalil, I trust Thorin alone with Sunshine even less than before.
What if Thorin and Khalil had already decided they were done with her? What if Thorin staying behind was a ploy to get me out of the way while he disposed of her?
What if he’s hurting her right now?
My gut roils while my hands become fists. I’m ready to turn back and run all the way to Big Bear and the cabin when rational thought sneaks up on my murderous rage.
No…
I saw the way he looked at her this morning. Thorin’s not done with her yet. If anything, his obsession’s grown. Aurelia’s gotten under his skin and clawing her way into his heart. I know it. Maybe Khalil knows it too, and that’s why he’s trying to reinforce this rift by convincing himself that all she is to us is a loose end.
Aurelia’s safe at the moment, but for how much longer?
Khalil has a fucking point. Even if we convinced Sunshine to stay, when Zeke wakes up, it all comes crashing down on us. I won’t be around to protect Aurelia, while Khalil and Thorin will be forced to choose between their best friend and the woman who hates us. Letting her go isn’t an option either because she’ll almost certainly be back to ruin us in return.
“You’re supposed to be on our side,” I hear Khalil call after me.
“Newsflash, I was never on your side. Zeke might think you care for him, but I don’t. Friends don’t leave.”
Khalil sighs. “Seth…stop.”
“Why?”
“Stop!”
Scowling, I slowly turn around to see what the fuck is so urgent and find Khalil no longer looking like he wants to murder me. He looks like he wants to hug me.
I can’t decide which possibility makes me hate him more.
“What the fuck is it?”
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to convince you to come on the road with me when I asked, and I’m so fucking sorry I let that much time pass without us speaking. If I hadn’t…” He lets his sentence hang as he drops his head. His broad shoulders tremble, and I have the feeling he’s holding on by a frayed thread. “If I hadn’t, I would have known something was wrong. I could have gotten you out sooner. I’m sorry I took so long to remember my brother. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better one to you.”