Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“Then why hold a conference?” she asked.
“We have other news to share—”
She interrupted him. “More important information than the facts and details of a young woman’s death at your masquerade ball?”
“Don’t waste my time and everyone else’s by asking things that I won’t answer.” Chase centered his attention to the reporters on her left. “And from now on, please raise your hand so I can make sure everyone has a chance to ask something.”
The same journalist raised her hand.
“No.” Chase shook his head. “Someone new and less annoying.”
She huffed, “I just have one more question. There are girls dying here in London. In fact, it seems that dead women have been following you around—”
“What is your name?”
“Felicia Waterson.”
“Great name.” Chase grinned. “Ms. Waterson, do you like your job?”
She held her hand to her chest. “Excuse me?”
He targeted her with a hard gaze, one I’d experienced many times. That look used to make me cringe inside. His eyes said he owned the world and took it by shedding blood, while his mouth always sneered as if he was hungry for more war. “Ms. Waterson, you’re done asking questions.”
She opened her mouth. The guy next to her nudged her arm, and then she shut her mouth and remained silent.
“Thank you, Ms. Felicia Waterson.” Chase nodded. “Anyone else?”
A man with black glasses gestured that he wanted to talk. “Can we ask why you are here in London?”
“Yes, of course.” Chase stared into the cameras close to us. “I had a small problem that has been fixed. Due to that solution and the recent events, I’ve begun to see life differently. I’m ready to finally settle down with my beautiful girlfriend, Jasmine Montgomery. Today, I want to announce our engagement.”
The ballsy reporter decided to say something else, “Weren’t you already engaged to someone else?”
Chase frowned. “Does anyone else have a question?”
A redhead put her hand in the air. “Will there be a party?”
Chase chuckled. “Good question. Yes, there will always be a party. I want everyone to join us in celebrating our engagement.”
Someone yelled out from the far back, “Will you hold the huge gala in London?”
Chase turned to me, but still spoke in the microphone. “That is up to my new fiancée. Jasmine, would you like to tell everyone, and me, where we will be holding this fun event?”
No. I absolutely don’t want to!
I leaned in and cleared my throat. “Miami.”
A few people mumbled some things in disgust. Others cheered.
I could imagine why people would not like a party leaving this city. Chase could draw in a mega rich group of guests to London. Money would definitely be spent throughout the area—from high end hotels to shopping for our presents. His wealthy friends would spare no expense.
More questions came, but with the tight expression on Chase’s face getting even more annoyed, I handled the rest of them myself and left him to stressing behind me. After a good ten more minutes, his lawyer team stepped in and took over the conference to handle the questions dealing with Lucy, where they continued to say that Mr. Stone had nothing to do with her body getting there.
Minutes later, we walked off in silence. Chase tapped his finger on my hand as he held it. A serious expression spread across his face.
“What’s wrong?” I kept his slow pace toward the car.
“You mean besides Benny trying to murder me and destroy everything I love in this world?”
“Yes. Besides Benny, is there something else?” I asked.
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“What is it?” I asked again. “When we were on the tour, you were in a decent mood. And in front of the conference you claimed to be nervous, but now ... now you’re pissed.”
“It’s not big enough to discuss,” he explained.
“I still want to know.”
“Why?”
“If I’m going to be your wife one day, I should—”
“It’s not a matter of if you’re going to be my wife, it’s a when.”
“I’m just saying.”
“You will be my wife.”
“Okay, Chase. Stop getting me off of the topic. What’s wrong?”
“In fact, we need to set a wedding date.”
“We have time.”
“Do we? I want Stone to be your name now.”
“Fine, Chase.”
“I won’t let you go,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I’ve got that message.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. In fact, come on. Let me show you something.” Instead of us strolling over to the car, I guided him back into the museum.
“Will it involve you becoming nude?” he asked.
“Perhaps.”
He frowned.
“What?” I giggled. “Wouldn’t you like to see me naked?”
“Yes,” he licked his lips, “but I already told you that I’m going to wait until you’re done mourning.”
I poked my bottom lip out as we entered the Sherlock Holmes museum. “Well, I still want to show you my surprise.”
“Hmmm.”
“What?”
“I’m wondering what your surprise is.” He held my hand as we climbed the stairs.
“No. What’s really wrong?” I asked again.
“I told you it wasn’t a big deal.”