Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Not certain yet, but Code will find out. He can track anyone, given enough time. We’re working on it, princess. I made you a promise, and I don’t break my promises.”
Her gaze didn’t leave his. “I’m counting on that. On you. I think the others will want you to go their way, Master. I could see it when some of them looked at me. They thought you were crazy to agree to take me with you. I think they thought you were humoring me so you could get . . .” She trailed off.
He grinned at her, leaned in and nipped her lower lip. “Pussy, baby. Your sweet ass and pretty little pussy.”
He not only saw the blush moving up her naked body, he felt her skin heat. She buried her face against his chest instead of pulling away. He liked that a hell of a lot. Nothing he said or did seemed to offend or scare her off. She might look like a fairy princess, too ethereal for his world, but she was tough.
“I keep my promises too, Master. I’ll make you a good wife.” A little giggle escaped. “I’m really good with numbers. I have a feel for investments, so if you need any advice, I’m your girl. Domestically, that’s hit-or-miss. I make a mean potato salad. And I can make an omelet. Sort of. If you don’t mind it sometimes mushy in the middle or turned into a scramble at the last minute.”
Master’s laugh surprised him. It was the real deal escaping, along with a strange happiness he hadn’t ever experienced before. She was giving him a few very unexpected firsts. His fingers tunneled in the silky mass of her hair. So beautiful. So classy. His classy little princess. She detested him calling her that, thought he was making fun of her. He was calling it like he saw it.
“I’ll eat whatever you cook for me and appreciate it. I’m decent enough and can help out, especially with the cleanup and prep. We can learn together.”
She gave him a little smirk, leaned into him and astonished him by pressing her mouth to his bare skin. “Are you a good assassin?”
“There isn’t any such thing, baby, as a good assassin. I kill people. Don’t try to make me into something I’m not. If you’re wondering about my skills versus Gleb and his friends, I have no doubt I can take them on. That’s why you’re with me.”
He had to remind himself, for him, the marriage might be real. She would always be his choice. This might be his wedding night, but he’d bought his wife with blood. She wasn’t going to love him. Respect, yes. He would earn that. He knew he would.
She rubbed her face against his chest again, back and forth, as if in protest, but she didn’t deny it. She couldn’t. He was her killer, paid for with a life sentence. She was a prisoner, and even though she’d put herself in prison, imposed that sentence on herself, that was what she’d done. Traded the lives of the men who’d killed her parents for her own. She’d done so willingly, with her eyes open and with full knowledge and consent. He respected her for that. She wasn’t going to pretend otherwise. She wasn’t going to whine about it. She planned on making the best of her life with him.
“Tell me more about your life, Master.”
Changing the subject. He heard the reluctance in her voice. She didn’t want to change the course she’d set out on for both of them, but she didn’t want to call him out and name him a killer. She was gaining his respect with every minute they spent together.
“I think it would be better if you told me about your life. We’re trying to keep you from having nightmares. My life was crap up until I laid eyes on you. Now I’ve got a shot at a decent life, and I’m taking it.” He gripped her hair again and tugged until she looked at him. “Tell me about your friends.”
His phone jingled. The sound was overly loud in the sudden silence. Immediately, he tensed. What the hell was he supposed to do now? He had to take the call.
“Gotta take this, princess. Wouldn’t call this time of night unless it was an emergency.” He pressed the talk button even as he stood and gently deposited Ambrie on the glider, blanket wrapped around her body. “Give me a minute. Alone.”
Instantly, Ambrielle’s chin went up, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Who is that?”
“No one important. I’ll be right back.” He started for the door.
Ambrie was up and out of the glider, her much smaller body trailing after him. “If they aren’t important, why can’t you tell me who they are? You said we’re communicating. No secrets. The first thing you do is break your own rule,” she accused.