Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
A shudder goes through my entire body at his explicit words, and I blurt something out to camouflage my reaction. “Maybe when you’re in a coffin.”
“It’s a bad omen to imagine being a widow when you’re a bride, Princess.” He aligns his mouth with my ear until his hot breaths are the only thing I feel on my skin. “It might come true sooner than you think.”
I pull away, his words hitting me like an electric shock. “W-what do you mean?”
He places me on my feet only so he can nudge me into the passenger seat. I don’t protest, because all I can think about are his words. What does he mean I’ll become a widow sooner than I think?
Kyle climbs into the driver’s seat, and I fully face him. “What did you say just now?”
His whole body leans over in my direction, and my nostrils are assaulted by his distinctive clean smell as he straps the seatbelt over me. His mouth is a few inches away from mine when he pauses and expands the palm of his hand on my stomach where there’s a stain of blood.
“Our life together started with blood,” he says in a calm tone. “How do you expect it to end?”
I swallow the clog that lodges in my throat without warning. “Didn’t you tell me we choose our own destiny?”
“I lied. It’s always decided beforehand. Every action we take only throws us back to the path we were always meant to follow.”
It takes me a second, but I see it: the determination in his eyes. It’s not the normal type like the kind I have when I stare in the mirror every morning. It’s blacker, fierier, and with the intention of reaching his end goal even if it means burning everyone—himself included.
What happened to you during these past years, Kyle?
I hate myself for thinking that question, for even voicing it in my head when I promised myself I’d never get caught in his maze again.
“Why did you marry me?” I murmur the question I’ve meant to ask for the past week.
“Because I wanted to.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is the only answer you’ll need. I married you because I wanted to. You’re my wife now, and nothing and no one will change that fact. Not even you.”
“You better be ready for the hell I’ll bring to your life, then.”
“Oh, I’m more than ready.” He kisses my forehead and I freeze, not expecting the soft, intimate gesture. His lips linger for a second as if he’s savoring the moment and the newness of it. Kyle has never kissed me on the forehead before, not that I would’ve let him, but now, he seems hell-bent on doing whatever he wishes.
He pulls back before I can protest, but the imprint of his lips remains on my skin, burning like wildfire.
Kyle reaches to the back seat and brings out a half-full bottle of Jack Daniels, takes a sip, and then offers it to me. “To the hell you’ll bring, Princess.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I snatch the bottle from his fingers and down a generous gulp. Kyle smiles, giving me his side profile as he drives out of the parking lot.
We don’t go past the others, so I don’t catch a glimpse of the guards or Vlad. The sounds of the gunshots have disappeared, though, so that should mean the attack has ended.
If it weren’t for the brute next to me, I would be escorting Sergei and Ana safely back to the house.
I catch myself watching his face again and his smile. It appears genuine, happy even, but it’s all a part of the façade he puts on so well. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s actually smiled from his heart.
His lips move, but not his eyes, as if they’re not part of the same face.
“I know I’m attractive and you can’t help staring, but rein it in until we’re not in public, Princess.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take another sip from the bottle, letting the burning liquid slide down my throat.
“I love it when you play innocent. It weirdly suits you.”
“Shut up.” I down a larger gulp this time, wincing at the aftertaste.
“Liquid courage.” He winks. “Nice.”
“Who said it’s liquid courage? Maybe I want to finish the bottle so I can shove it up your ass.”
“Kinky again. I didn’t know you thought of me sexually so much, but take it easy on the drinking—I know you’re a lightweight.”
“Were. Past tense. I’m no longer a lightweight.”
He raises a brow, briefly shifting his focus from the road to me. “Really now?”
“I can finish the bottle.” I swallow the largest gulp I’ve ever had, trying not to wince at the burn and the strong aftertaste.
“If you say so.”
I jut my chin out at him, continuing my mission. While he drives through Brooklyn’s streets, I consider the bottle of Jack Daniels my current war and drink one sip after another.