Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
“I’m fine,” I mutter. “At least, physically. I’m still a little shaken up from what happened.”
“How did you even get out of the Bonesmen grasp?” she asks. “Felix and I looked everywhere for you. We even scoured all the Bones Brotherhood locations we knew about.”
“I was taken to a different compound where they tried to sell me again. Luckily, the guys from the Tartarus House found me.”
“Caleb?” she asks. “Oh wow, I’m impressed he managed to find you.”
I nod. “And Blaine and Ares too.”
She hugs me again, and I sink into her chest, breathing out a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad you’re okay. We were all worried sick. I didn’t even know you were in there. No one did. We went into the first compound to get Lana out together with the Phantom Society boys, but then we lost you, and I couldn’t get to the van in time …” she says, lowering her brows in shame. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there in time to save you.”
“It’s okay,” I say, rubbing her back. “I’m here. I’m safe. I’m not going anywhere. At least not without screaming at the top of my lungs.”
She sniggers. “When Caleb said he was going to ask his boys for help, I didn’t expect him to actually come through.”
I make a face. I don’t think she knows the full truth. “Yeah … about that …” I squeak. “We’re actually kind of, sort of, dating?”
“What?!”
I cover her mouth so no one hears her scream.
“Don’t make a scene, please. They already hate that everyone is looking.”
Her eyes widen. “They?”
Oh God.
“Are you telling me you’re dating multiple Tartarus boys?”
“Uhh … I plead the Fifth?”
The blush on my cheeks apparently gives it all away, and she grabs me and shoves me back and forth like a crazy person. “Oh my God, Crystal! A foursome?”
“Shhh …” I murmur, looking around. “It’s hard on them.”
“Right, right, I get it,” she says, winking. “Is the sex good? They say the boys from Tartarus are like hedonistic fuck toys.”
“Don’t embarrass me. I’m already mortified.”
“But it’s so much fun,” she jests, and she pulls me in for another hug. “But I’m so glad you’re back, girl.”
“What did I miss?”
Kayla’s voice makes me look up. She just walked into class, which is about to start, and the look on her face immediately goes blank the moment she sees me sitting in one of the benches.
“Oh my … God.”
She throws herself into my arms, practically smothering me. “Crystal! You’re back! I’ve missed you so damn much.”
“It was only a couple of days,” I say.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Mini family vacation,” she says, rolling her eyes, which confuses me. I stare at Penelope, who just shrugs and touches her lips like she doesn’t want me to tell Kayla the truth.
I guess Kayla is not aware of all the things that go on around this campus. Maybe it’s better this way. Wouldn’t want her to get dragged in too.
“It’s not the same here without you,” she says.
“I missed you too,” I say. “But you’re killing my back.”
She laughs and leans away. “Sorry, girl. You look scrawny, though. Did your mom feed you well?”
I rub my lips together. “No, she was far too busy with her new boyfriend, so I was the one doing most of the cooking,” I lie.
“Oh, is it that same guy we saw last time at Fi’s Cups and Cakes?” she asks.
I nod. “Yup. Caleb’s dad. Awkward.”
“Oh wow …” Penelope says with owl-like eyes, and it makes me want to hide underneath the table. “That is messed up.”
The teacher begins his class, and we sit and listen, but Penelope still texts me.
Penelope: I want to talk with those guys. Ares, Blaine, Caleb. I just want to make sure they have good intentions with you. Do you have their number?
Me: Please don’t ask. I don’t want you dead too.
Penelope: They can’t kill me that easily. Besides, I’ve got Felix, Alistair, and Dylan to back me up.
Me: Okay … if you’re sure about this. But don’t blame me if they end up killing each other.
Penelope: Do you care about them?
It takes me a few seconds to respond.
Me: Yes.
Penelope: A lot?
Me: Like a lot, a lot.
She smiles at me before she continues typing.
Penelope: I don’t judge. I remember that feeling from when I first got together with the Skull & Serpent Society guys. I just want you to be safe. You’re my friend.
Me: I know. I trust you.
Penelope: Good. Because I think it’s already making rounds at school.
She lifts her phone and shows the group chat for our class, which is filled with responses and comments to a picture that was shared. A picture of me kissing Ares while Caleb and Blaine happily stand behind us.
Oh God.
Me: Nathan’s going to try to kill them, isn’t he?
Penelope: 99/100 chance.