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 won’t pressure you to end the engagement—even though if I had my way, no grandchild of mine would bear the name Wilson.”
There it was again. That look. Predatory.
“But knowing Martha,” she continued, expertly tucking away her anger. “She’ll have threatened to disown him like she did her eldest. I will say that what you’ll receive from your inheritance will more than replace what Victor will lose, but I’m kind enough to not ask you to make him choose between you and his family.”
“This is kindness?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “I will tell you everything I know about Everton and Everleigh Starling. All you have to do is renounce an inheritance you didn’t know you were receiving until recently. Do we have a deal?”
I flicked from the folder to her. Holding her gaze, I plucked out the agreement and ripped it into confetti.
“I don’t need your information. By the way, I don’t need your money either, but I’ll have it and my revenge no matter what you do or say. You’re so worried about Martha fucking Wilson that you’re betraying your granddaughter. And she’s so worried about you that she cast out her son. You’re both ridiculous!”
Astoria leaned back slowly, brow arching. I knew that look just fine.
“The most fucked-up priorities I’ve ever seen. Just for this mess”—I gestured at the shredded contract—“when I get my inheritance, I’m liquidating the whole thing and donating it to the Center for Suicide Prevention. Hope that doesn’t break your wooden heart, Gam-Gam.”
I stomped off, so steamed I couldn’t see straight and nearly walked into a mannequin.
Astoria’s voice drifted to my ear as I threw open the door, but I couldn’t have heard her correctly. It sounded like she said, “Definitely a Burkhardt.”
“—THEN I STORMED OUT.”
Silence followed my story.
Cato, Wilder, Rafael, Lucien, and Victor stared at me open-mouthed.
“Sinclair,” Wilder began. “Remember when I asked if you have a death wish? Do you want to amend your answer?”
I threw my pillow at him. We were in my bedroom with me stretched out on the bed with the six of them sitting or standing around me. Cato liked to give me orgasms when I was upset. I was eagerly awaiting him to continue that tradition, but even he was looking at me in disbelief.
I waggled my legs to give him the hint.
Nothing.
I sighed. “What was I supposed to do? I was asking for help to stop Winter’s murderer, and she’s worried about Martha getting her hands on a piece of the Burkhardt fortune. It’s so asinine and selfish I almost wonder if she did it on purpose to piss me off and stop me ever coming near her again.”
The sentence popped out of my mouth and my eyes bugged. “Fucking hell. Do you think that’s why she did it? Made an offer she knew I would refuse so I’d burn the bridge all by myself.”
Lucien twirled his cane, looking thoughtful. “If that was her plan, don’t let it work. It never occurred to us to use the Burkhardts’ network of spies to our advantage, like Everleigh has been using Wolfgang and the T.O.D. Club to hers, but if there is something to know about Everton Starling, she’d be the one to ask.”
“Or William, right? Maybe I can skip her and go straight to him. There has to be a reason she doesn’t want me to. Does he ever leave the manor?”
“Not as often as he used to,” Rafael admitted. “He’s getting up there in age. When he does leave, he doesn’t announce his itinerary. You’d have to arrange to meet him on neutral territory. Saylor’s got the phone. You might have enough goodwill with her that she’ll slip you Grandpa William’s direct number.”
“You were right about one thing,” Victor said. “We don’t have a secret to use against Everleigh, but we’re not out of the game. Forget our families and their competitive, toxic bullshit. You’ll get your revenge, Luna. We will finish it.” He shared a look with the guys. “For you.”
I smiled soft, feeling so loved my chest ached. That was just as good as an orgasm. “Thank you, guys. I love you.”
“We love you back,” Rafael said. “Speaking of getting your revenge. Saylor’s got the leverage to force the Royals under her rule. We’ve got the site’s archives. Know what this means?”
I didn’t know what it meant until Cato linked his fingers through mine with one hand and lit a lighter with the other. A slow grin spread across my face.
“I love you, Cato, but this time, I want to do the honors.”
THE SIX OF US CREPT through the trees, each of us carrying a container of gasoline. It was a big cabin. It needed a lot to burn.
“Are we sure she’s not inside?” Victor asked.
“I texted Katie before we left. Everleigh’s at her place, drinking wine and painting her toenails. We’re good.”