Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 115400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
I’m a good walker. I could walk for miles before my calves start screaming at me, but the moment that walk turns into even the slightest jog, count me out. I’ve spent years having to walk to and from work. Don’t get me wrong, I have a car—at least, I think I have a car. I really don’t know what happened to it—or any of my belongings for that matter.
It’s officially been two weeks since I’ve been here with Killian and two and a half since I was first snatched off the street. I can guarantee my apartment has been trashed and all my things stolen, and soon enough, there will be a squatter sleeping in my bed and eating all the food I had to work my ass off to buy.
Yet, I can’t imagine leaving or going back to that life.
I want to explore this thing with Killian. I want to be his, and while he’s already claimed my body, I want him to claim my heart too, and damn it, I think it might already be his. Is it even possible to fall for someone so soon? I barely know anything about him, but I want to know it all. I want to be his peace, the woman he comes home to, but this world terrifies me.
When my unhealed ribs begin screaming at me, I painstakingly wander another few steps to a little garden bench and plonk my ass right down, cringing as I gently rub my side. What was I thinking walking through here? I figured I’d be in and out within ten minutes, but if I knew I would spend the rest of eternity here, perhaps I would have chosen a stroll around the estate instead.
The guilt of not telling Killian about Monica or Sergiu eats at me as I catch my breath. I feel as though I owe him that much. He saved me from the auctions and gave me this life of luxury—one I could never achieve on my own—but the moment I tell him, they’re as good as dead. Although they deserve nothing less, I can’t stomach the thought of having their blood on my hands. I’m not built that way.
Perhaps it’s something I’m going to have to get used to. Does anybody in this world stay an innocent bystander, or do we all become guilty by association? I’m the broken girl falling for a man who could destroy me without even flinching. I shouldn’t keep anything this big from him, but I’m a sucker for punishment, or maybe I’m just a fool.
What it comes down to is that no matter what, Killian will always be the one with the power in this relationship. I will always be made to bow to him, and despite my useless efforts to demand I be his equal, we both know that’s never going to happen.
Twisting to the side, I lay back on the small garden bench and put my feet up, staring at the sky. It’s starting to get late in the day, and the warmth is beginning to fade from the air. It’s going to be a brutal winter this year, but I suppose being here, I won’t have to worry about affording the heating bill.
As I gently rub my side, trying to convince myself to get back up and find a way out of here, a familiar deep accent sounds within the maze. “You’re lost.”
I whip up, not having expected anyone to come looking for me. Hell, I didn’t even realize he was home. “I am not,” I say defiantly. “I’m just taking in the sights.”
“My estate has surveillance everywhere, Chiara,” Killian says, striding right up to me and kneeling down before me. “I’ve been watching you wander around in circles for twenty-five minutes. My security team has placed bets on how long it’d take you to find your way out.”
My jaw drops, and I don’t know whether to be offended or not. “And you were going to let that slide?”
“Of course I was,” he scoffs. “Who do you think started it? My money was on three hours.”
I gape at him while realizing that he was more than happy to leave me wandering around this maze for three long, torturous hours. “You’re an ass.”
“That may be so,” he says while having the audacity to look offended. “However, I am here, am I not?”
My gaze narrows as I study his dark eyes, seeing a fondness within them that chokes me up. “Why?” I ask as a lump forms in my throat, making it hard to get the words out. “I would have eventually found my way out.”
Killian reaches out, his fingers brushing over my side, right where my bruised ribs hide beneath my tank. “You’re hurting, Angel. I couldn’t take it any longer.”
Letting out a heavy breath, I capture his hand in mine as something swells inside my chest, filling me with the most dazzling warmth and leaving me desperate for more. “You told me the other day that you were getting so much more than you bargained for,” I murmur. “But I think you’re wrong. I think I’m the one who’s getting more than she bargained for. My fate was sealed when I was snatched off the side of the road, but you’ve given me so much more than a second chance. I want to be your world, Killian.”