Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
As for Cassie, she was very vocal with the sounds she made as the woman worked on her back. She had asked for a couple of strapping male massagers, but Hubert had been clear. No men, only women.
And so, my back was being worked, and it felt good. It was rather strange, though, because I wasn’t used to being touched, so each time her hands brushed across my skin, that first initial touch always made me jolt, just a little bit.
“This is so good.”
I couldn’t agree more.
“Why didn’t we do this more often?”
We didn’t need to go there. We both knew the answer.
“Shit, forget I ever said anything.” Cassie’s arm raised in the air and she lifted, turning her head to look at me. “Well, what do you think?”
“It feels great,” I said, smiling.
“Good. It was hard to think of what to get you. You don’t have any hobbies and we’ve not spoken in so long.” Cassie pouted. “Rage told me he gave you a cell phone.”
“I don’t have it.”
“Why not? I’ve been texting you, wanting to meet up, so we can do all kinds of shit together.”
I was about to answer when Hubert’s cell phone went off.
“You can’t have cell phones in here,” one of the women massaging our backs said.
Hubert took the call. He spoke in hushed tones, and then looked up. “I just have to step out a moment. Both of you, leave,” he said, pointing toward the women.
They looked like they wanted to protest, but Hubert gave them a look, and neither of them argued.
“I’ll only be a minute,” Hubert said, following behind them a couple of seconds later.
“Wow, he’s like … intense, isn’t he?” Cassie asked.
“He’s … I don’t know.” I sat up and pulled the towel around my body.
“Why did you give the cell phone up? Rage didn’t know what life was going to be like for you and he promised me I could always contact you,” Cassie said.
Licking my dry lips, I tuck some of my hair behind my ear. “Think about it, Cassie. Think about who I’m married to and what I’m married into. A secret cell phone is a sure way to get me killed.”
“No, no, that’s not possible. Rage wouldn’t have done that.”
“I know, but this is the Volkov Bratva. I can’t have secret cell phones or any of that.” I nibbled my lip. “You understand, right?”
“Yeah, I understand, and I also know I’m going to yell at Rage, which is always a lot of fun to do. Crap, I had no idea a secret cell phone would cause you trouble. I’m so sorry.” She reached out, offering her hand, and I took it, giving it a squeeze. “Us being here for your birthday isn’t causing any issues, is it?”
“No, none at all.”
“I’m glad.” Cassie winked at me. “I’ve missed you.”
“What has it been like back home? Apart from Rage, having to earn the club’s respect and all that?” I asked.
“Oh, you know, the same old, same old.”
“How do you mean?”
“It’s business as usual.” Cassie sighed. “I don’t know what else to say. Not a lot has changed. The club goes on. The club pussy is always around. I’m not … Rage … he, er, he always put up with me, you know, because of who I was. After Dad and everything that went down, I guess you could say I’m not everyone’s favorite person.”
This was a shock to me. “You’re the club princess.”
“I was the club princess, Charlotte. Now, I’m just … no one. Rage takes care of me.”
“I had no idea,” I said. “Do you miss Dad?”
“Hell, no, him being dead and seeing you actually happy, that’s everything.” Cassie sighed. “If anything, this has made me realize that I didn’t stand up enough for you.” She lifted her head and I saw tears in her eyes.
“Cassie, don’t cry.”
“I’m trying not to. I don’t want to cry, and it will totally spoil my makeup.”
“We’re going in a sauna, it’s going to ruin your makeup,” I said.
She chuckled and then allowed the tears to fall. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t cry.”
“You can cry. Everyone can cry.” I wanted to pull her into my arms and hug her. I didn’t know if it was possible for me to tell her it was going to be all right, but I wanted to. Instead, I stayed silent and watched her.
“I’ve been going through all the things back home, and along with that place are the memories, and I’m so sorry, Charlotte. The beatings he gave you. I tried to stop so many of them, but I was a coward.”
“Stop it,” I said. “It’s a good thing you didn’t try to intervene. He’d have started on you as well.”
“I’m older than you. There had to be something I could have done to protect you.”
“No. You tried to do something, remember?”