Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Timeo’s jaw tightened and he gave my hand a small squeeze. “Asshole.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, feeling a lightness in my chest because with Timeo, I was able to actually say the things I’d held onto for so long, only this time without fear of repercussion.
“And I told him that I was only called that because I bent over in gym glass to pick up the ball, and my dress was loose. Yeah,” I said with a laugh. “We wore all sorts of ridiculously old-fashioned things and mine was a hand-me-down from Eden.”
“Ah,” Timeo said. “And like all good churchgoers, your father had to remind you that it was your job to keep temptation away from the eyes of the sinning boys.”
I grimaced. “Right.”
“Do you remember the boy’s name?” Timeo asked in a low voice, soft enough it almost seemed nonchalant. But I knew better.
Of course I remembered his name.
“Reginald Guffrey. He was awful. He used every single damn benefit afforded him by way of the patriarchy to abuse so many of us. He was married at seventeen to his first wife, and the stories I heard about the way he treated her were horrific. He only—”
The door opened and the clerk stood before us. I closed my mouth.
“You may enter the courtroom.”
Timeo stood and leaned over me, sliding his thumbs to either side of my jaw, cradling my face in his hands.
“You’re the bravest woman I know.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Turning away from me, he casually rolled up his shirtsleeves, revealing the Montavio Brotherhood tattoo on his forearm that would grant him access to damn near anywhere.
“I’ll be going with her.”
The SUV cruises to a stop. I blink, surprised that we’re already here. I’ve been so deep in my memories that I barely realized we were driving through Boston until we parked.
I take out my phone and ignore the ever-present notifications and messages. I message Eden.
Not sure I should be messaging you right now, but… I miss you. I want to know you’re okay. They made me leave the castle.
I don’t even know how much she knows, and I know she’s rarely on her phone, so it’s a shot in the dark.
My heart breaks when I think about Phoebe and Mimi, my babies. My consolation when I was all alone. Where are they now? Are they okay? Some people don’t understand how deep a love for a pet is sometimes. Those people probably don’t have to wonder if they are loved unconditionally.
I do. And I know now what it’s like to be loved like that. Your cat won’t judge you for eating too much cookie dough, as long as you remember who her majesty is and give her the proper attention afforded royalty. Dogs don’t mind if you don’t return a text message or forget their birthdays. They greet you with the same no-holds-barred affection and love as always.
I blow out a breath and square my shoulders. I’m heading into Bella Notte. Here we go, sex club.
What I wouldn’t give to explore the recesses of Bella Notte and all the deviant delights it has to offer…with Timeo, of course.
Yeah, I went there.
When we reach the door, I’m flanked on all sides.
“Wow. Feels good to be a V.I.P., boys—” I start to say, when I realize it isn’t just men this time. A tall, lithe woman with hair slicked back in a bun at the nape of her neck stands next to me, walking in militaristic fashion with the others.
“Good to see you here,” I tell her quietly, even though I don’t even know her name. She winks at me and opens the door.
It smells heavenly here, like warmed cinnamon and sweet vanilla, mixed with a liberal dose of fresh-baked bread and roasted walnuts. Homey. Comforting. My stomach churns.
“Where is everyone?” I ask blondie as we enter the community area of the club near the bar. My heartbeat spikes when I see Sergio and Timeo sitting at a vacant table in the far corner of the room. They must’ve driven at the speed of light. They seem oblivious to my presence.
Doors are opening and closing, and voices are chattering as the others arrive.
“It’s daytime,” she explains patiently.
“Ah. So why aren’t we going to the safe room?”
She cocks her head to the side. “You must be confused. There’s no safe room here, ma’am.”
Oof. Right. I nod.
“I am, silly me, I was thinking of The Castle.”
Clearly, I’m not supposed to know of that room, but I’m not fooled by her lies. She knows exactly what I’m talking about.
Interesting.
“So yeah, can I get something to eat?”
“Certainly, Starla.”
“And your name?”
“Mercedes.”
Ohh. I like.
She turns and exits, now that I’m likely in the secure confines of the inner sanctum of the Club, with Sergio and Timeo only a few yards away.
Expected something like Sam or Shawn, but Mercedes is lovely.