Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Today, she’s luminous in a simple white dress and ballet flats. Her outfit reminds me of the first time we were at the Lodge together. I wonder if she wore white today on purpose.
I hold out my arm, and she comes to my side. I squeeze her close. There’s a slight twinge in my gut near the scar of my bullet wound, but it’s worth it. She leans into me, and I marvel at how right it feels.
She tilts her head, her collar flashing. “What are you doing out here?”
“It’s nice out.” I turn her so she’s facing the forest.
“You like it out here. Would you ever want to move here?”
“Live on Billionaire Island?” It’s not a leap of logic. All the Seven have homes here, plus St. James as well Damien, although few people know where his hidden mansion is. Unless you’ve done guard duty out there, which I have. “Naw. I like the penthouse.”
“Me, too.”
For a moment, we’re still, watching the forest together. Listening to the trill of the songbirds and the rustle of the leaves. Drinking in the peace.
She puts a hand on my chest and murmurs, “I have a gift for you.”
“It’s not my birthday.”
“I know. It’s mine.” She slips something into my pocket and backs away, smiling. “If I run, will you chase me?”
“Always.”
She kicks off her ballet flats, and my heartbeat shifts into a higher gear. My muscles tighten, but I force myself to be calm. To wait.
She pulls the pins out of her hair, and her curls come tumbling around her face.
“Give me a ten-minute head start, okay?”
I nod, unable to speak. There’s a roaring waterfall in my head as my blood rushes, readying me for the hunt.
Elodie disappears down the stairs to the lawn. She walks to the treeline and stops to pull off her dress. The fading sunlight cups her curves, outlining her in gold. She’s no longer human but otherworldly. A goddess of the forest.
Then she steps into the shadows and becomes real. She hangs the dress on the tree, smiles back at me, and slips into the woods.
I pull out the item she put in my pocket. It’s a black hood with a skull painted on the front. Suddenly, I’m too hot.
But I wait. She gave me a fancy watch and a black turtleneck for Christmas after Kaiser and I had made fun of the big city fiancé’s watch and clothes in one of the movies. I don’t wear the turtleneck, but I like the watch. I half expected her to put “Big City Fiancé” on the back, but instead, she put “Big Bad Wolf” with a little heart, followed by “Bunny.”
It’s my second favorite gift, and I’ll treasure it forever.
After ten minutes, I pull off the watch and put it on the railing. Kaiser will see it and make sure it gets back to me. If I wear it, it might get broken. I’m going to be careful and watch out for Elodie’s ankle, and she’ll hold back because of my gunshot wound, but still, things are going to get rough.
I pull off my shirt. The cool air hits my skin, but I’m still too hot. I wait until I’m about to enter the forest to pull on the hood. Before I do, I sniff the breeze. The scent of Elodie’s arousal hangs in the air. I grab her dress and bring it to my face, inhaling it. So sweet. So excited and ready for me.
I drop the dress and pull on the hood. My world grows dark, my vision narrowing to the trail ahead. Finally, I lope into the forest to hunt, find, and claim my perfect prey.
Kaiser
A glint of silver brings me out onto the deck again. Jaeger left his watch on the railing. I pick it up and pocket it. The woods are silent, betraying no secrets, but I know Jaeger’s out there, hunting his elita.
I could stand out here and wish for things I don’t have, or I can go inside and drink. So I head back inside. I walk right behind the bar and grab a whole bottle. The bartender only smiles at me. I almost wish he’d start something.
I need a good fight. I need to shed some blood and feel some pain. To know I’m alive.
The liquor burns, but it’s not enough. If pain is going to be the only pleasure I have, I want more. A lot more.
But out here at the Lodge, I’m surrounded by Fraternitas. My found family. I don’t want to fuck up anyone’s happiness more than I already have. The last time I did that, Jaeger almost died.
I’m done with that.
I’ve always been the angry twin. I’ve had to be, to make sure my brother and I survived.
Jaeger doesn’t hold onto things. He never has. He lets life roll off his back and finds his happiness where he can. He’s like a hero in one of those fucking movies.