Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“Home,” Val offers, and the two guys in the front seats chuckle.
But when I meet Kai’s gaze, he gives nothing away. His expression remains neutral, a reminder that these men have been trained to be cold-blooded killers. I’m under no illusion—they’d willingly kill me without hesitation.
They are aware of my last name, and I know I’m not the woman they would’ve wanted in their world, which is what this island is. It’s a piece of land, cut off from the rest of the world, where the violent and most dangerous men come to play. There are no rules here, only the ones that they make up for themselves, and something tells me these Princes don’t play by those either.
Even though they own Black Hollow, this is still a place of learning, I reassure myself. However, I know I’m going to be one of the very few girls here. It’s only in the past ten years that females have been allowed to attend the university.
“I thought I was staying in a dorm,” I say, confusion settling in my gut. I can’t stay with them. There’s no way I’ll be safe in a house filled with monsters.
“Who told you that?” Emilio asks, glancing at me from over his shoulder.
I’m still struck speechless when I look into his eyes. The boy who my father left behind, only to take me to England and raise me in secret. There are so many questions I have for him. Did he know about me, and why didn’t he come looking for me if he did? Maybe he didn’t want to be sullied with the bad name I grew up with. Which in some ways, I understand. But it still hurts that I have a brother I didn’t grow up with.
The silence is a palpable force in the luxurious interior of the vehicle. Suddenly, we come to an abrupt stop, and it seems we’ve reached our destination.
“Welcome home,” Jordan says before exiting the car.
The other guys get out, and Val opens my door and offers me his hand, which for a long moment I consider refusing, but I sigh and take it.
“The Venier Manor in all its grand opulence,” he announces.
I take in the mansion that sits atop a hill, overlooking a turbulent ocean. And I’m almost certain what goes on inside is just as volatile. The gravel crunches under my shoes as we head towards the monstrosity that is the Venier family home. It looks more like a Gothic castle where vampires live, rather than a home for the guys accompanying me. There aren’t any lights on, even though it’s getting dark outside. With winter coming soon, the sunlight is stolen by night early in the day.
When Papa first told me I’d be studying at Black Hollow Elite, he made it seem like a privilege, but nothing about what they do here is honourable. I did my own fair share of research and realised it wasn’t a place I wanted to be. A university where monsters come to learn how to kill.
I also learnt about the young men who would soon take over their families, stepping up as Bosses. The Lawless Princes who rule over the island are drenched in secrets. Danger follows them like a shadow does a person.
Black Hollow Isle was acquired by the Venier ancestors as a place where they could bring unsuspecting victims and torture them. Soon after, a university was founded in one of the castles on the isle, and to this day it is renowned for its exclusivity, only accepting a select few young men, and now women, who show promise and loyalty to the clan.
Which brings me here.
Even though my father walked away from this life, his connections ran deep.
And for him to keep me safe, he had to sell me.
Val doesn’t release my hand as he pulls me behind him. The slamming of the boot has me glancing over my shoulder to find Jordan and Kai carrying my luggage.
We make our way up to the intricately carved front door. The thick wood plays out a scene of five beasts surrounded by a throng of trees. These aren’t wolves or bears, but men in hoods who seem to hide amongst the thick trunks. A brass skull adorns the middle of the door, sending ice through my veins.
Val pushes open the door and leads me inside. The impressive, black and white entrance hall encompasses two levels with a central, sweeping staircase leading to a long balcony on the first floor. The steps are tiled, and the bannisters have a smooth iron finish.
Contemporary art hangs on the walls, welcoming us into the immaculate house. At the top of the staircase is a large window that reaches up to the ceiling. A chandelier of a thousand crystals hangs above our heads, shimmering with a golden hue, illuminating the modern interior.