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)
“Okay,” I tell her because I can't say no. I also don’t want to.
The top of the dress is tight enough that I thankfully don’t need a bra. Normally I do, but as I stare at myself in the mirror, I realize the dress might have been made for my mom but it fits me perfectly.
I don’t care what Matthew and Jace say. I’m going to that party. They won’t cause a scene. Not with everyone watching.
For once, tonight will be mine.
Chapter Four
LEO
“And what about that one?” my mother says as we take another turn around the dance floor.
“Owen Taintus? I guess nothing except his last name,” I say, and my mother snorts.
“Yes, it’s rather unfortunate. Zelly wouldn’t appreciate the monogram either.”
“ZIT?” I offer, and my mother tries to press her lips together to keep from laughing. “Yes I suppose it’s not a match then.”
Her eyes are sharp on the crowd as we move to the music being played by the live orchestra. It’s clear tonight that Cinder Financial is alive and well and not afraid to drop some serious coin on this extravagant party.
“And you’re sure you don’t think the twins would be an option?’ my mother asks for the second time, and I shake my head.
“Matthew and Jace aren’t even Cinders, though it seems like everyone has forgotten that in the rush to fill the void left by their stepfather.”
She hums in agreement before the music comes to a stop. Just before the next song plays, Flynn appears like an absolute saint and offers his hand to my mother.
“Come on, Janet, let’s dance. I’ll let you make a man out of me yet,” Flynn jokes, but my mother scowls.
“Is it necessary to be so lewd?” she huffs, but she takes his offered hand, and I swear I see her cheeks turn a little pink when he bends down to kiss it.
“Take it easy on him,” I tell my mother before the two of them waltz back into the crowd.
On the other side of the room, I see Matthew and Jace speaking to some of the executives from Evermore Holdings. It’s another one of the major players in this city, and if they’re looking to legitimize their claim on Cinder Financial, then it’s probably a good move to get on their good side.
Franklin Cinder died suddenly five years ago, leaving behind a widow named Fiona and her two sons. I’d heard rumors of a young daughter, but she must have gone abroad to live with family after his death.
No one has seen her in years, and it was assumed that she would need full-time care with Fiona recovering from her injuries. It was a tragedy, but I was away at school when it happened, so I didn’t get all the details.
All I know is that when I got back, Matthew and Jace had temporarily taken over but are now looking for permanent placement. Prince Enterprise has dealings with them—most everyone in the city does—and in the few times I’ve had to interact with them, I’ve been less than impressed. If it were me, I’d think long and hard before putting them in charge, and maybe I ought to make my opinions better known to Evermore Holdings.
But even as I glance around the room, I realize that will probably be an impossibility tonight. There are hundreds of people here, and there’s practically a line forming behind Matthew and Jace to speak to the Evermore executives. I’ll make a call early next week and drop a few hints. Maybe find out where their heads are on the whole situation.
Glancing at Flynn and my mother, I see they haven’t killed one another yet, so I go in search of a drink. These kinds of parties exhaust me because I can only put on a fake smile for so many hours. There are people everywhere, and when I finally reach the bar, I order a double out of sheer desperation.
After I down the entire thing in one gulp, I order another but decide to take my time with this one. In the distance behind the bar, I see a flash of color that catches my attention. It’s odd because that hallway is blocked off with a velvet rope and not well lit. It’s supposed to be closed off for the party, but as I move closer to get a better look, I see the flash of color again. It’s ice blue and it sparkles, and now I have to know what it is exactly.
Placing my drink on the bar, I glance behind me to make sure no one sees me slip behind the privacy rope and down the hall. Up ahead, there’s a door slowly closing, and I see the flash of blue disappear inside. Something about it calls to me, and although I don’t understand why, I have this feeling in my gut that I have to follow it.