Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
I’ll take one little break. Just a quickie.
I open the app on my phone and stare at the unending list of notifications. I’ve starred one, though, and his are at the top of the list. The little triangle on the top of the notifications that indicates my private messages.
I haven’t responded to his videos since yesterday.
Bratvabloodline
You ghosting me, kitten?
I roll my eyes even as heat rises in my chest I try to ignore.
I can’t help myself and post a comment.
Ghosting you? That would require a relationship, methinks.
Bratvabloodline
Touché. It’s been twenty-four hours since you responded to me and your last message said BRB
I was unaware you were counting. I have a day job, you know. Sadly, as fun as reading romance books and posting videos is, it’s not the most reliable source of income.
Bratvabloodline
Of course. Understood. But the next time you say, ‘be right back,’ I expect you to be right back
Oh does he?
My pulse spikes. I can imagine those words in his dark voice, touched with that accent… masked up and tatted, those muscles flexing while he grabs my chin and makes me look him in the eyes.
My hands shake when I reply.
Meh
Bratvabloodline
Ah. The bratty type.
Listen, buddy. I know your type. Dark, broody anti-hero with a superiority complex posing with his arsenal of weapons about power. I’ve read your whole vibe on every bookshelf in America. And while that’s all fun and games for fantasy, this is the real world here, not one built on happily ever afters
Bratvabloodline
You have a lot of opinions about me for someone who doesn’t know me, little queen
Why do my cheeks heat at that? I swallow hard and roll my eyes again.
Aww. You’re like a mafia fangirl’s dream come to life. But real? Nah. You’re all smoke and mirrors
Bratvabloodline
And yet, you haven’t tested that theory, have you? You haven’t blocked me either
The breath catches in my throat.
I swallow.
You must be bored. You really have nothing better to do than try to get my attention?
Bratvabloodline
You have no idea the lengths I’d go for you
I swallow hard and bite my lip.
Maybe I think this whole shtick is kinda cute
I wait for his response. I wonder if I’ve gone too far. I wonder—
A quick notification pops up:
@bratvabloodline has posted a new video.
I click it like my next breath hinges on watching it. The clip is short but… intoxicating. He’s damn good at this.
Bathed in shadows, the gleam of steel catches the light as he assembles a weapon with precision. His movements are fluid and sure, every shift of muscle deliberate. I watch, mesmerized, as his large, powerful hands move with such brutal efficiency. It’s clear: he’s a master at this.
Uuugh. What else would he do with those hands?
The faint hum of Russian music fills the background, setting a mood that’s both primal and sophisticated. Though his face is masked, his eyes burn with an intensity I can’t help but be drawn to. He’s smirking. I know he is.
I watch, unable to look away, as the camera lingers on the veins running along his muscled, tattooed forearms, sleeves rolled up to show the curve of muscle. I imagine what it would be like being pinned beneath those arms, helpless to move his weight off of me…
His movements are deliberate, sensual, as he snaps pieces into place. I get it…this is anything but cute.
God, he’s playing with fire. He’ll get banned so damn fast for this.
A knife flashes next—a deadly contrast to the smooth lines of the gun—its edge catching the dim light. He lazily twirls it between his fingers like a baton before he fists the handle and slams it, blade first, into the table. The camera pans up slowly, where the mask has gone slightly askew—I catch a glimpse of a stubbled jaw, tilted just enough.
Finally, he leans into the light and strokes the stubble on his jaw.
The video ends with him running his thumb over the edge of the knife and glancing straight at the lens.
Intimate.
Predatory.
He’s looking at… me.
The screen fades to black, leaving only one caption.
Still think this is cute, @dreammafiaqueen?
Oh my god.
I stare. I gulp. Thank fuck he can’t see me right now because I’m incapable of rational thought or speaking intelligible English.
This is better than any book I’ve ever read, and I’m not the only one who notices. The post already has hundreds of likes and as many comments. I read them with interest.
Plot Shmot. Who needs plot when we have THIS?
Alexa, play ‘Toxic’ on repeat
He’s giving me morally gray vibes and I’m…morally compromised.
Happily ever afters are overrated, girls. I don’t need an HEA. I just need HIM. Preferably on top of me.
Roses are red, violets are blue, a five-finger necklace if the giver is you
Wait, WAIT. Do they know each other in real life?? @dreammafiaqueen hasn’t said anything. GIRL!?
Uh oh.
I click back to my messages, my heart hammering.