Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Is it because of me?
Or is he nervous about the dinner tonight?
I try to imagine what puts a man like Caius Crowne on edge.
Only one thing comes to mind. Getting caught. That could mean one of the guests is a potential enemy of the Crowne family. Maybe it’s a military man or someone from the government. The idea that there’s someone Caius is unnerved to see elates me.
I’ll figure it out.
Cataloguing people, things, patterns, names—it’s naturally ingrained in me. I like it. It keeps my mind sharp and focused. Tonight, I’ll be on high alert.
Since it’s dark and only the headlights illuminate our path, I’m unable to see anything of interest. We soon drive into the bay that takes us to the massive garage. Once Caius parks in the place from last time, I wait for him to help me out of the vehicle.
“You won’t need this inside,” Caius says as he tugs off the coat I’m wearing. “It’s warm inside and there’s alcohol.”
I shiver in the cool garage now that my coat is gone. Thankfully, he’s in a hurry to get inside. I’m nearly having to run to keep up with his long strides.
The hallway inside is just as I remember—drab and boring. I follow Caius to the elevator.
“Since it’s an intimate affair,” Caius says when we’re inside, “it’ll be in Dad’s penthouse.”
Orion has the penthouse.
Caius confirms my original thoughts about the elevator keypad when he hits the “P” after a completely different series of finger swipes that he keeps me from fully seeing. As the elevator rises, I pull out my phone and text Theo.
Me: We’re here. I need to see a friendly face.
Caius doesn’t seem bothered that I’m on my phone, which makes me suspicious. They’d have to be stupid to give me access to the outside world. Since I don’t have any messages from my family, I’m beginning to think they either cloned my phone or they’ve reprogrammed the numbers in my contacts to dead numbers. Regardless, they’ve been messing around on my phone, and so far, I’m only able to contact one of the Crownes.
Theo: By the bar. Find me, babe.
Babe.
Again with that endearment.
I wonder if Caius would dislike that his brother calls me babe. A trickle of satisfaction makes its way through my veins.
The doors open to the penthouse, and we’re met with a barrage of sights, sounds, and smells. I’m nearly struck stupid at seeing people again. They’re all dressed like me and Caius, laughing and chattering amicably. I can smell garlicky scents of whatever foods they’ve prepared for tonight, which makes my stomach rumble.
Caius places a palm on the small of my back, guiding me past several groups of people. He nods to a couple of men, who shamelessly gawk at me.
Gareth appears out of nowhere, grinning widely. “Lookin’ good, Ro. Real good.”
Caius, clearly distracted, doesn’t notice the compliment or doesn’t care. Gareth steps closer, his eyes dropping to my breasts.
“Keep an eye on her,” Caius grunts. “I need to speak to Dad.”
“No problem, man.” Gareth winks at me as though we’re sharing a joke. “Thirsty?”
I almost admit I want to see Theo, but then think better of it. I’ll work the Theo angle in a bit. Right now, I have Gareth’s undivided attention.
“Who are all these people?” I whisper, stepping closer. “I don’t remember them.”
Gareth peels his eyes from my chest, only to get lost staring at my crimson-stained lips. “What?”
I smirk. “Focus, horndog. The people all around us.”
“Sorry,” he says almost sheepishly. “You’re distracting tonight.”
I’m unsure if his attraction toward me is an act meant to manipulate me or if it’s authentic. Testing him, I reach forward to straighten his bow tie. “This is crooked.”
His entire body tenses as I fix the bow tie, letting my fingers brush over his upper chest. “I missed this.”
Bringing my gaze from his bow tie to his intense stare, I frown in confusion. “My touch?”
He barks out a soft laugh. “No. We don’t, uh, touch, Ro. I meant this. Our friendship.”
Liar.
They’re all liars.
“We don’t touch?” I give him a playful pout. “Sounds boring.”
Again, he grins at me, wide and handsome. “Careful or my brother will want to kill me again.”
“Which one?” I bite on my bottom lip. “Can you take me to see Theo?”
Gareth’s easy expression falters slightly. It’s only half a second, but I see it. He wasn’t expecting this. Good. I hope I keep them all on their toes.
“Nah,” he says with a shake of his head. “I was going to have you meet someone important.”
Gareth offers me his elbow, which I take, looping my arm with his. He guides me over to a man holding court over a few couples, all of which are rapt with attention.
“Solomon, my man,” Gareth says to the regal, middle-aged man. “I don’t think you’ve met Romy Langston.”