Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“That’s all?” Oliver says, and this time I see a tiny hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.
“I would lay my fortune at her feet for a chance to hold her hand,” I say, and he must see the conviction in my eyes because he nods like he’s impressed.
“All right,” Oliver agrees. “Let me—”
His words are cut off by shouting coming from behind us, and we all turn to look outside. The door bursts open, and in come Matthew and Jace, the latter covered in what looks like coffee.
“You fucking asshole, now I’ve got to change.”
“We’re going to be late.” Matthew talks over him, but they’re too busy shouting at each other to notice us until they’re all the way inside the kitchen.
They stop and stare at us, the tension growing tight.
“Morning, boys,” Flynn says, and the twins put on their fake smiles.
“Good morning.” Jace is the quickest to recover. “I didn’t know we had visitors.” He sends a scowl to Oliver as he comes over to shake my hand.
I’m pissed that we’ve been interrupted, but my manners get the better of me, and I stand up to greet him. Just as my hand lands in his, there’s a movement out of the corner of my eye, and I see her.
Standing there in a messy bun, wearing an oversized sweatshirt, is my gorgeous girl. My dream beauty I’ve been desperate for appears out of thin air like I’ve summoned my soul from the sky.
“Prince,” she gasps, and the whole room goes quiet.
Chapter Eleven
ELLA
After I say his name, I snap my mouth closed. Where did Prince come from and why is he holding Jace’s hand? Are they friends? Of course they are. He was at the party, but then again, everyone with money was invited.
“You’ve met Ella before?” Jace asks, glancing between Prince and me.
“Ella,” Prince repeats. How can one word make goosebumps rise over my entire body? Thankfully, my oversized sweatshirt hides them.
“I…ah, what’s your name?” I feel so stupid having to ask that question.
“Prince,” Jace answers for him and gives me a strange look.
“Leo Prince.” My mystery man gives me his full name, and it finally fills in the blanks. So he really was a Prince. At least I didn’t sleep with someone whose name I didn’t know.
“It’s nice to see you again. I’m just going to grab a muffin.” I can feel everyone's eyes on me as I move toward the breakfast island. Another man in a suit is sitting there with a giant smile on his face. Clearly he’s loving this surprise meeting.
“Join us,” the man says as his smile broadens. He nods to the chair next to him and then winks. “I’m Flynn.”
“Knock it off,” Prince snaps.
“What? There’s no need for her to rush off.” Flynn pulls out the chair, but I want nothing more than to run out of the kitchen as fast as possible. A million questions are swirling around in my mind. Plus, I’m a total mess right now. The last time Prince saw me, I was in a ball gown and made up from head to toe.
“Don’t you want your orange juice?” Oliver asks, already pouring me a cup. Then in French he tells me I should stay.
I hold Oliver's gaze, and I realize that he knows. Now I understand his reaction after I told him that I called the man Prince. Oliver knew who I was talking about, and I’m guessing he wanted to do some more digging before filling me in. It makes me wonder if there’s something wrong with Leo Prince if Oliver wasn’t quick to tell me who he was.
“Okay,” I agree and slip into the chair next to Flynn.
“I’d almost forgotten Cinder had a daughter. You’re about Zelly’s age,” Flynn says.
“Zelly?” I ask, and Flynn nods his head over toward Prince as he pops a bite of croissant into his mouth. Prince is staring at me, but I don’t think he’s stopped since I walked into the kitchen.
“She’s with Leo.” A small gasp leaves me, and Flynn’s brows lifts. “I’m surprised you haven’t met her. They keep you locked away in here or something?”
Oh god. Is that why Oliver didn’t want to tell me about Prince?
“I think I should—” I start to get up, but Prince moves quickly toward me, his hand going to the back of my chair to block me. Unless I want to rub against him to get by, I’m stuck.
“She’s my sister,” he rushes to say before staring down at me. Even in the high top chair, he still towers over me. “You should meet her.”
“It would be good for you to get out,” Oliver suggests.
“Ella stays here,” Jace cuts in, and Leo slowly turns toward my stepbrothers.
“Is she not allowed to leave the house?” His voice is smooth and calm, but it makes a hot shiver go down my back.