Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“I need you to come with me to a fundraiser.”
“I thought … I thought you didn’t want to be seen in public with me. That you were afraid of one of your enemies hurting me?”
“The only enemy I had was Alaric Prince, and he’s been off the radar.”
A sharp pain resonates through my leg as I realize my fingernails are biting into the skin of my thigh under the blanket.
“Off the radar? What do you mean?” I can’t help the way my voice rises, and my father doesn’t miss it. His eyes narrow into thin slits.
“No one has seen him. And without him breathing down my neck and ruining my business, my life is better. Both our lives are better without him in it.”
It’s a pointed comment. He has asked me about my time with him and if he hurt me. My answer was never to tell him.
At first, it was to protect and hold dear our time together. Now, I’m embarrassed I meant so little to him.
“What did you want to talk about?” I say, changing the topic, annoyed that I have to think about Alaric at all—and that hearing his name made my heart flutter a little faster.
Damn treacherous heart.
Falling in love is for idiots.
Or, at the very least, masochists.
“A masquerade party. They are raising money for an adoption agency. I thought it would be a good idea for you to come.”
“A political idea.”
He stands quietly, and I wonder what he is thinking. My comment is uncalled for because my adoptive father has never in my life used me for his own gain. He has always protected me, but my wounds over Alaric are still deep.
“You have never been that to me. This is important. Not just because of the topic, but also because of business. I know it might seem like it’s political, but seeing as this is near and dear to our hearts, the host invited you. The money being raised is for children like you. Children whose parents have died. The difference is, they don’t have anyone to take them in. I thought you could use this because you haven’t left this room. I thought that maybe”—he swallows—“that after what you have just been through, you might be feeling alone and miss your parents. I thought this could help, that helping others like you could help, and I thought we could do this together.”
Tears well in my eyes at his words. I feel like a complete ass for attacking him. I was lucky to have Michael, but so many children aren’t.
“Okay,” I whisper, but then another thought pops into my head. “I have nothing to wear.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that everything is taken care of. I’ll hire a stylist and hair and makeup to come to the hotel. You won’t have to worry about anything.”
Maybe I need this.
It can give me a purpose.
Which is something I need right now.
44
Alaric
Everything is in place, including this god-awful mask.
However, I can’t complain because it was the only way this plan would work.
Michael Lawrence has been keeping his daughter on a short leash. She still hasn’t left to go anywhere.
Not even to get ready for tonight. Her father hired a team to go to the hotel and get her ready.
Yes, I am keeping tabs.
Phoenix would probably accuse me of being a stalker, which I am.
I don’t care what anyone thinks. I need to make sure she’s okay. My men give me updates, and I know they want to ask more, but they know better.
Instead, they play their part in this ruse. The ruse that I don’t care about her.
It’s all a lie, though.
I can finally admit it.
I love that fucking girl.
Now what to do with this information is a completely different matter.
Which brings us to the here and now.
A party to lure a man and his daughter into my world when they are both known to be notorious recluses.
In typical Cyrus fashion, the party in his grand mansion in Connecticut is over the top.
This place is ridiculous, but then again, I have no use for a house, mansion, or even an apartment. I’m happy living on my yacht and moving from port to port. There’s only one place that I was ever happier than when on the sea …
With her.
In the cave.
But this place, Cyrus’s place, isn’t even where he lives now.
Now, he is only with her.
A spark of jealousy fills my veins. That’s what I want.
It’s not going to happen, though, not after everything.
Then why the ruse? Why make all this happen if I’m not going to cage the dove?
Because I just need to see her again.
Then I’ll let her fly away.
I move around the room, scotch in hand. Even with the masks on, I see familiar faces, and I head over.
“Tobias, James, Matteo, good to see you.”