Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“You know I will.”
“You know what I like.”
“I do.”
I got up and showered, washing my hair thoroughly. The towel from the night before was still over the mirror. I didn’t remove it until I’d brushed and dried my hair. Then, with a sigh, I removed it long enough to put the putty-like silicone on my face to smooth out the scars over my skin, then cover it all with a thick foundation. Years of this same ritual helped me to hurry. Before leaving the bathroom, I replaced the towel.
Serelda was still in bed and had gone back to sleep. The scars on her face were much worse than mine because she’d tried to protect me. That had been her punishment.
A rage built inside me. It always did when I remembered how she’d protected me from those vile men when I couldn’t protect myself. I wanted to kill them all. Every single one. But I had no way of doing it. Not when I didn’t know who they were. Our father was dead. So was our stepmother. They were the only two people I knew of who could tell us the names of the men they’d sold us to. Truthfully, there were so many I doubt either of them could have remembered anyway.
Taking a breath, I closed my eyes and pictured a quiet, sunny meadow. The only sounds around me were birds singing, summer bugs buzzing, and a warm breeze rustling the leaves of trees surrounding the meadow. I pictured that scene in my mind until I could almost feel the wind on my face.
Deep breath in. Let it out slowly. Repeat.
Once I was steady again, I finished dressing before heading out of our room.
The common room was humming with activity. Men were up and about, the party seeming to be never ending. Though no one was drinking, and there were no women present other than Iris. When the younger woman spotted me, she smiled warmly, getting up and coming to me.
“I’m so glad to see you here, Winter. Do you want some breakfast? Blaze has it up and running. Should be out in ten minutes or so.”
“I’d love some. May I take Serelda a plate as well?”
“Of course! You never have to ask for that, Winter.” Iris looped her arms around one of mine and led me to a table where Sting lounged lazily. I knew better, though. He looked deceptively relaxed. He was very much aware of his surroundings, even if it was within his own clubhouse.
“Good to see you out and about, Winter. Is Serelda well?” Sting stood and held a chair for me, then for Iris before sitting back down.
“She’s good. Bit tired. She was still asleep when I left.”
“I imagine so. You had a long day yesterday.”
“Glad you came down for breakfast, Winter.” Roman approached us with two plates while a prospect followed him with two more. The other man set his plates in front of Iris and Sting while Roman put one in front of me before taking a seat beside me with his own. “You and Serelda sleep well?”
“Yes. Thanks.” I was so nervous there was no way I could eat. I pushed eggs, biscuits, and gravy around on my plate, nibbling at the bacon. I wanted to eat but was so nervous I couldn’t.
Roman dug into his food, forking enormous amounts of carbs into his mouth over and over. He made it look so good I had to try a little. I was glad I did, because the stuff was delicious.
Talk continued around the table. Nothing heavy. Just discussions about the girls Sting and Iris had brought with them back from Black Reign. Girls who’d been in the group home where Iris and her sister had lived. Sting had plans for him and Iris to adopt the three other girls along with Jerrica. Which was where I knew Serelda and I could be of use.
I cleared my throat and wiped my mouth carefully. “Serelda and I could help you with them, Iris. That is, if you need help.”
“Are you kidding?” Iris grinned broadly. “We can use all the help we can get! I’ve never been a parent. Not really, anyway. I’ve always tried my best to care for Jerrica, but two teenagers and a traumatized six-year-old are way beyond my ability to handle on my own.”
“Not sure I can do much with Clover other than be there to hold her when she needs it, but I’m willing to do whatever I can. I’m sure the others are bad off in some ways, too. Knowing Serelda and I went through something similar might give them something they need to stay strong.” I said the last softly, not really wanting to voice it but knowing it was the truth.
“I think you’re very kind to offer so much of yourself, Winter.” Iris reached over and squeezed my hand. She looked like she was near tears but didn’t look at me with pity. It was more gratitude than anything else. Maybe this is what Serelda and I were meant to do. Maybe we could help these girls heal and, as a result, help ourselves. “Thank you so much. I’ll be grateful for the help and the insight.”