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)
“What’s going on?” he asks, leaning back in his large, white leather office chair. He’s in a crisp blue shirt, the top three buttons undone, and the long sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His tanned skin’s a bit darker now that summer is here, and the corded veins are obvious as he fists his hands at our interference.
He doesn’t always say what he’s thinking, but he’s getting better at it. However, he doesn’t need to say a word for it to be clear we’ve interrupted him.
“Show her,” Valen says as we stop at the opposite side of Judah’s desk. “She needs to see the truth, and if you don’t show her, I will.”
I’m not sure what he’s talking about, but Judah doesn’t look at all pleased.
Judah’s gaze lands on mine, and for a long moment, I’m sure he’s going to refuse. But then he sighs.
“Sit,” he orders.
As always, his detached demeanour is evident. There have been moments, over the past few weeks, where I’ve seen Judah let his guard down. It’s been refreshing, different, but for the most part, I’ve come to love his icy presence—the chill he exudes most of the time. However, when he’s passionate, he’s like a fire that rages through a forest, unyielding and dangerous.
A contrast if ever I saw one.
I settle in the chair and wait. There are so many things racing through my mind. With a quick glance at the balcony, I try to calm my erratic heartbeat, but it’s useless. Perhaps I should tell him, confess. He’ll be angry, but at least I won’t be hiding things from him anymore.
Maybe I’ll wait until he tells me whatever it is he needs to, and then I can come clean. I’m not sure what to expect when he looks at me, because there’s no hint in his expression as to what this could be about.
My stomach flutters with the wings of a hummingbird. Judah pulls out a thick folder, heavy with what I assume are documents, but I’m uncertain what they’ll reveal. More than likely, they contain evidence. Things I don’t know but need to know. Secrets.
“You need to read through the contents of this file. Take your time going through the documents,” he says. “If you have any questions, ask. There’s a lot of information in there. Some things you may not want to know, but since you’re about to walk down the aisle with me, it’s best you learn it all.”
“What is it?” I ask as I flick open the cover, and gasp when I see my father’s name and photo on the first page. “This is… I mean…”
When I scan the page, my heart comes to a stop for a split second. I pray my hands don’t shake—I force myself to stay calm. Judah is trained in reading people, and he’ll see right through me if I convey any inclination as to the real reason I’m here.
“It’s all the information we have on your father. It dates all the way back to when he was a child. There are some very interesting facts in there, Brielle.” Judah pushes to his feet and rounds the desk. He’s so close, I can feel his anger radiating from him. But I don’t look up at the man I’m meant to marry, because I’m too afraid. I’m not frightened that he’ll hurt me, but that he’ll see the worry in my eyes. “It’s also all the information we have on you, little spy.”
They know. He knows. I can’t face him, so I focus on the pages in front of me. If I meet his inquisitive stare that’s slowly burning a hole through me, he’ll realise that everything I’ve told him is a lie. But he already knows, Brielle.
I flick to the last few pages where all my details are filed. Everything from when I was born, right up until I was brought to Black Hollow. And when I find the photos of Marco and me, I know my time is up. I’m going to die today.
“This is my past,” I say, trying to keep my voice as even as I possibly can. It’s not easy with my heart slamming against my rib cage. “There have been things I’ve had to do—the same as all of you. It’s not been by choice. It was forced upon me, just like this marriage was. If you can’t believe that, then I’m not sure what to tell you. There’s nothing more I can say. You know—”
“I know you’re a liar,” Judah tells me as he leans in close, his warm breath fanning against my ear. Those piercing, hazel eyes drill through me with every second that passes. “You walked into this house, acted the sweet and innocent little princess, but what I’ve discovered is you’re nothing more than a trained fucking soldier for your father.”