Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
“Lyriope,” a deep and hushed voice calls from behind me.
I turn to see a shadowed figure in the far corner of the veranda that I hadn’t seen when I first walked out.
“Nick?” I squint to see if I can see the voice I recognize.
“Shh,” he says as he begins to slowly walk toward me, his cane hitting the ground announcing his presence before I truly see him.
“What are you doing here?” Warning bells are going off inside my head. “If my father sees you here… He’s got men everywhere. It’s a busy party—”
“I’m not afraid of your father. You should know this by now,” Nick says as he comes into the light and stands closer.
With the light from inside casting on the man, I can now see his features. He too is dressed in a black tux and looks polished yet rugged with all the tattoos peeking out from the edges.
Taking a step back toward the party, I say, “But I’m scared for you.” Glancing toward the doorway and then back at Nick, I ask, “Are you insane? If my father catches you out here, he’ll kill you. You need to go.”
Nick extends his arms wide. “I’m the life of the party, baby. Of course the Sidorovs invited me.”
“If they did, it was just to taunt my father,” I say. “You and I both know he doesn’t want you here.”
“I will never march to the orders of your father. You know this.”
“Then leave for me,” I beg. I don’t want to see this night turn ugly.
He leans in and places his lips on my cheek. “The party has just begun, my queen. I’ve never been one to leave a good party.”
“I need to get back in there,” I say, knowing I’ve been away from my father long enough.
“Wonderful. I’ll join you.”
I try to ignore his words and turn to leave without him. But Nick Hudson is one stubborn man, and no one is going to tell him what he can and can’t do. I know this… but…
I can hear his cane clicking behind me, and I know the party is about to get extremely interesting.
Chapter Eighteen
Lyriope
I cannot believe this is actually happening. This man—Nick Hudson—has the balls to come tonight, knowing that Bryant doesn’t want him here. He is even more crazy when he follows me inside and walks right up to my father as if it’s the most ordinary thing in the world to do so.
Is he absolutely insane, or just so arrogant that he believes he is invincible? To not only show his face as a party guest but to do so standing in front of Bryant Morelli himself is just plain reckless and clearly lacking any regard for his own life.
“Bryant,” Nick says, locking eyes with my father.
“What are you doing here?” Bryant asks in a calm but almost deadly voice.
“Enjoying the festivities of course. I’m so pleased that the Sidorovs invited me.”
I watch Bryant’s eyes dart to Sidorov who is standing and laughing boisterously across the room. They then narrow in on Nick who is now looking directly at me with a devilish look in his eyes and that Cheshire grin that tells me he is up to no good.
And then… he reaches out to me. Oh God, why is he doing this?
Staring down at Nick’s extended hand in disbelief, and then up into his eyes as he asks, “May I have this dance?” I struggle not to laugh at the absurdity of this man and how foolish he is being.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Bryant says in a low tone that only Nick and I can hear. “I told you to stay the hell away from her.”
“I’ve never been a man to follow orders, Bryant. You should know this by now.”
“Leave.”
He nods. “I’ll leave. But first, I’d like to dance with your daughter.” He extends his arms to the guests all around. “It would be such a shame to cause a scene at this party. No need for unpleasantness.” He then smiles, leans casually against his cane, and adds, “It’s not like her soon-to-be husband is here to witness it or anything. Where is good ol’ boy Pavel anyway?”
I notice something in the way Nick smiles at me that there is more to that question. Does he know where Pavel is? Did he do something to Pavel? Nick is still a mystery to me in so many ways, but I’m getting good at reading him. There’s something… fishy about the way he asked that question.
“One dance,” my father snaps. “And then get the fuck out of here.”
I don’t want to dance, but I know I have zero choice in this matter. I need to dance simply to attempt to extinguish the flames searing between the two men. Nick is stoking a dangerous fire, and I want to get him as far away from Bryant as I can.