Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
I frowned, immediately throwing away that thought. Alistair said I had to go through the security process so they’d wave me in without a problem. Wouldn’t make sense to post security outside a house that’s supposed to be empty—unless you want to give yourself away.
“Where are we going?”
“There.” He motioned in the direction of something too fast for me to catch it. “Five minutes.”
I got the sense Ronin wasn’t much for chitchat. Sitting back, I got out my phone and texted Lucien.
Me: Busy tonight? What do you think about sneaking through the woods after midnight?
His reply was immediate.
Lucien: I think I love you, and I’m so glad you’re back. It’s about time we finished our date.
I loved that this is what passed for a date between me and my Rogues. What did people with normal boyfriends even do? From watching Katie, it was just a lot of hooking up in random places and eating at Toussaint’s. I’m betting the two of them never shared empanadas and conversation while exploding cars and ratting out cheaters.
Me: I want more than anything to finish our date, but I was thinking of something a lot less sexy for tonight. Katie told me Everleigh used to visit Everton in a cabin in the woods somewhere. We’ve got a list of five possible places. We need to see what she’s got in there, because I’d bet everything in Saylor’s bank account on that being the one place Everleigh lets her guard down.
Again, his reply came back in an instant.
Lucien: Send me the list.
I fished it out, flicking back and forth to type the first one in.
“Here.”
Glancing up, I landed on a familiar insignia and froze. “No.”
“Give your name to the guard.” Ronin unlocked the doors. “He’s expecting you.”
“No, he’s not.”
“Get out.”
“The fuck I will!” I slammed the lock down. “What kind of game are you playing? Did they pay you off? Take me to Alistair now.”
Ronin’s impassive face didn’t crack. “That’s what I’ve done. He’s inside waiting for you. He said the surprise would be... funny.”
My lips peeled back from my teeth. Why did that sound like exactly what my jerk of a bio dad would say? I was starting to understand him too well.
Glaring through the window, I gazed up at the gold insignia woven through the gates—Burkhardts.
Alistair Burkhardt has returned home.
“I’m calling him,” I warned. “If you’re messing me around, now’s the time to drive off.”
Ronin didn’t move. That was a bad sign.
Dread filling my bones, I called Alistair—tensing as the call rang out.
A buzz sounded in my ear.
Alistair: Come inside already. I’m starved and Laura made truffle risotto with lemon butter scallops to celebrate your homecoming. She can’t wait to meet my daughter.
Me: No.
He couldn’t be an asshole in person, so he shot me half a dozen laugh emojis.
Alistair: There’s no safer place for a Burkhardt than within these gates. Come inside. It’s past time you met the other half of your family.
Me: No.
Alistair: If you try to run, Ronin will chase you down and haul you inside.
I shot narrowed eyes at that dragon tattoo.
Alistair: Might as well take the easy way.
Me: Why do you do these things to me? As far as I know, I’ve done nothing to piss you off.
Naturally, that reply received more laugh emojis. Why was it parents could legally give up their children for adoption, but I couldn’t unload this guy on another eighteen-year-old?
Me: I thought you hated these people. They rejected the woman you loved, ignored your children, let everyone think you were dead, and unleashed Saylor Burkhardt on the world! Was everything you told me a lie?
Alistair: Discuss over scallops?
It was so very obvious he wasn’t taking my anger seriously, which meant if I wanted to yell at him...
I threw another glare at the gate.
...I had to go inside.
“Be honest. Alistair has to make up for a lot every year on Employee Appreciation Day.”
No reaction from my silent companion. I wasn’t even sure he was listening to me.
“You’re a part of a criminal organization. Any chance I could bribe you into letting me walk away?”
“Try it.”
Okay, time to go.
Climbing out, I forced myself to walk the path under Ronin’s watchful eye. The same guard who greeted me on my first and only visit to the Burkhardt mansion waited for me in the booth.
“Luna Sinclair. Remember me? You confiscated all my concealed weapons.”
He cocked a brow. “Will I have to do so again?”
I shrugged, throwing my hands up. “Would you believe me if I said no?”
The answer was no. I endured two pat-downs and him thoroughly checking everything in my bag. Made me glad I left the list of cabins in the car.
He handed my purse back. “Inside,” he said, motioning at the booth. “I’ll need to fingerprint you, copy your license, and run through a few basic questions.”