Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 140896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
“You shut up.” Her movements are jerky, uncoordinated, and hint at a complete loss of control.
Good.
Maybe this way, she’ll be able to understand the frustration of being cast aside and discarded like a used condom.
“I’m happy to shut up, but only if you tell the truth and nothing but the truth.”
Liquid eyes the color of a stormy sea glare me down as if I’m the next target on her hit list.
“What is he talking about?” It’s Killian who asks this time, his expression darkening.
Considering his pseudo-brother relationship with Mia, his distress brings me great satisfaction. How does it feel to walk in my shoes, motherfucker?
Mia glares at me again before she signs, “It was just a ruse that meant nothing. It’s all over now.”
I’m going to choke the little shit to fucking death.
But then, in the still-functioning logical part of my brain, I realize she’s saying all these demeaning things on purpose.
I let my grin show through, hoping the blood makes it more gruesome. “I disrespectfully disagree. It was more than a ruse and is far from being over. Mia and I came to a slight disagreement about priorities and my notorious penchant for anarchy. Despite my dramatic entry, I’m not here to stir up any shit. On the contrary, I came to propose a long-due truce between our clubs.”
“Not even when you’re buried six feet under,” Nikolai snarls.
“I wouldn’t be so quick to rule it out.” I meet Mia’s gaze. “This rare chance will work out so well for both of us if you just give it a go.”
“My sister is not for fucking sale.”
“I never suggested that. Unlike what she said, Mia came to meet me every night. There was no coercion involved in our nighttime rendezvous.”
Nikolai’s eyes slide to her again and she looks hotter than a ripe tomato before she meets my gaze. “Whether the truce happens or not, I’ll never go back to you.”
“Never say never.” I was going to add muse at the end, but I’m not in the mood for the extended audience to have their nose in my business.
It’s enough that I’ve made this very public display of affection.
Her chin trembles. “You’re insane.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“You won’t have me.”
“I had you once.”
“Won’t be happening again.”
“We won’t know until I try.”
“Stop being delusional.”
“Stop fighting the inevitable.”
Nikolai steps between us, accompanied by his dull sidekick Jeremy, and puts a sudden halt to our harmless banter. “Leave before I fuck up your face.”
“Last I checked, that’s not a good starting point for a truce, no?”
“Let’s just go.” Bran pulls on my arm, but I don’t move.
“I won’t be taking a step outside unless, one, you give me your word about the truce.” I meet Jeremy’s gaze. “You know this is for everyone’s benefit. Cecily and Glyn included.”
“Not happening,” Nikolai grinds out.
“It can be for your benefit, too,” I say casually. “In return, I will refrain from breaking your face for the damage you inflicted on my brother.”
“Forget it, Lan.” Bran pulls harder, his fingers digging into my arm. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” I tilt my head in Nikolai’s direction. “I don’t like it when others harm my family.”
“Funny coming from you.” He tries to free himself from Kill’s grip. “Once I’m done with you, nothing will be left for anyone to recognize.”
“Please stop,” Glyn pleads with him and I realize that she’s also on my side now, her hands slightly shaking. She looks at her joke of a boyfriend. “Lan isn’t the type who offers truces, so can you take it?”
My baby sister knows me, after all. Because she’s right. Truces don’t exist in my vocabulary of fucked-up anarchy.
But then again, drastic measures need to be made to trigger a considerable change.
“Even if we agree to the truce,” Killian says, “Mia is off the table.”
“That’s not for you to decide, is it?” I smile and meet her gaze.
“She already told you no,” Jeremy says.
“I can work with a no.” I step toward her, followed by Glyn and Bran, who install themselves as my amateur bodyguards.
Mia keeps watching me with that tense expression as I slip a small box into her palm, then say so only she can hear me, “Happy Birthday, little muse. Remember, a future where you don’t belong to me doesn’t exist.”
Nikolai shoves me back so hard, I half fall on Bran and Glyn, who wince at the brute’s animalistic force.
The fucker is pushing it, and I will make him pay. Just not today.
“I’ll take that as you said yes to my offer. As for the Mia issue, I’ll leave that to her. Just know that I won’t take lightly to any censorship or attempts to keep me away from her. You can torture me if you fancy. I’ll also leave my door open in case you want to kidnap me and exact revenge for past travesties, so let me know your plan. Or don’t. I’m open to surprises.” I stare at Killian. “You and I are even, considering the whole Glyn situation.”