Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Don’t pretend I benefited in some way from your vanishing act. You still have a lot to make up for, Alek!”
I pointedly look at my paperwork, insinuating that’s exactly what I was trying to do before she interrupted me. She and River weren’t even supposed to be here tonight.
“Do you even love her?” Anya asks.
I clench my teeth at her question. We’re so fucked-up that neither of us really knows what love means. Let’s just say I’ve seen and done a lot of shit. Fuck me, Anya getting married is the biggest abnormality I’ve witnessed in my life. And I wasn’t even there for the ceremony.
“Do you, though?” she pushes. Anya will always be a pusher, especially with me. She’s a spitfire and fiercely independent. It’s what I admire about her the most. But like any sister, she can get on my last fucking nerve.
Like right now.
“What the fuck is love? I care for her, I know that.”
Anya lifts her hand toward my shoulder, but I pull away before she can touch me.
I love my sister. But I won’t even let her touch me. It’s difficult to push through the insufferable sense of drowning and being repulsed by the contact. It’s certainly something I’ve never attempted to explain to her either. I’d simply rather avoid the physical contact.
She let’s out an exasperate sigh, clearly frustrated that I pulled away. “We are both so fucked-up, Alek. So fucked-up. But if I can love River and feel like I can breathe with or without him, then you can too.”
“I breathe just fine,” I point out.
“Do you, though? You sound like you’re struggling. You’re still asking around about her. Let the fixation go.”
I stand and readjust my suit. Cinita is not a fixation. At least I don’t think she is. Either way, I’m done with this discussion. “Excuse me while I make the rounds during the auction. You can join me or take over on the paperwork.”
“Don’t you dare try to distract me from this conversation,” Anya hisses behind me, but I’m already at the door and opening it, making my point very clear.
River’s waiting patiently in the hallway, leaning against the wall, and looks up with a hooded gaze. “River, if you wouldn’t mind joining me?” I ask. It’s expected, really. I’d rather him deal with the spitfire of a sister behind me, but since he’s supplying the guns, I need to solidify my front with him. Not just his and my sister’s marital one.
Anya went quiet the moment I stepped into the hallway because she knows better than anyone that we always present a united front. Even if she’s so obviously ready to rip my throat out.
She remains in my office, most likely processing the paperwork on my behalf because she can’t help herself. That’s why I suggested it in the first place.
River and I walk out into the main bidding room. The auction has already begun. The auctioneer showcases the first gun and runs through the details. I look over the numerous bidders sitting at their tables, watching intently.
“The three in the back corner have just come in from Germany,” River says as he leans into me slightly. I avoid anyone stepping into my personal space at the risk of them touching me. The mere thought runs an icy chill of revulsion through me.
I know they’re eager buyers. River wouldn’t have invited them otherwise. I trust my sister to make decisions on who we should partner with, considering we keep the number fairly limited. And although I’d been dealing with River for years before they met, it was the first time I’d considered partnering with him aside from simply purchasing and marking up his stock.
“It goes without saying, but you need to make it up to Anya as soon as you can, because I’m the one who has to listen to it when we get home,” River says, and I’m surprised by the balls on him, but then again, anyone who deals with my sister certainly isn’t easily intimidated. He and I both have our reputations. And although I don’t necessarily like him, I’ll tolerate him.
“You’re the one who chose to marry my sister. I was simply forced into the same womb as her. I had no choice. You do.” Not that he would ever make it out alive if he ever tried to leave her.
I step away from him, tired of this conversation. I love my sister. Will kill for her. Have done so hundreds of times. But the matter of Cinita is off-limits.
Tonight, all I’m focusing on is the money to be made.
CHAPTER 4
Lena
The following week is weird. I see him several times, and not once does he approach me. Nor do I want him to after his insulting comment about my outfit from the other night. What a total ass. Yet he shows up at every rehearsal when I’m practicing, and Matthew sucks up to him like he’s hit the jackpot.