Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Blaise stood up. “Because of the loyalty that your last name demands, seeing as how Jediah Hughes began this with Charles Shephard by his side, I’m giving you a reprieve.” He paused, and his steely gaze locked on me. “But only once. Loyalty is two-sided, Sebastian. You need to remember that.”
Wilder let out a sigh beside me, as if this had been his verdict, not mine. I wasn’t sure if he had been more worried about me or what Thatcher might have done if Blaise had ordered a punishment my brother wouldn’t accept.
A war within the family had never happened. Once, thirty years ago, there had been a disturbance, but Boyd Eagen had been shot between the eyes, along with his two brothers who had sided with him. Blaise’s father, Garrett Hughes, hadn’t given them a chance to defend their actions, and the Louisiana branch of the family—where the men had come from—didn’t react to it. That was the only time in the history of the family there’d been a possible uprising within the ranks.
“Weaknesses get you killed. If you’re going to have one, make sure she’s worth it,” Blaise said. He shifted his gaze over my shoulder toward his brother and nodded at him, then returned his focus to me. “Knowing that I would rip out my own heart and hand it over before I allowed one hair on my wife’s head to be harmed, I understand that weakness. However, she’s loyal. She’s worthy of my devotion and willingness to die for her.”
Trev walked up to the desk and handed Blaise an iPad. Blaise took it, and his younger brother returned to his corner of the office.
“You see, every female who becomes a weakness to this family is tested.” He glanced back at Gage. “Even after she proves her willingness to give her life to protect me for the sake of my wife and child, I test her. Make sure she is ready to devote her life to not only the man she loves, but also the family he belongs to.”
I wanted to speak, assure him that Royal was, but I couldn’t. He was talking about love, and we hadn’t said that word to each other. At least not out loud. I’d wanted to, even when I knew this infatuation I had for her was more than some passionate word that was used too lightly and too often.
“Ten minutes before you walked into my office,” Blaise said, tapping the screen, “I sat and watched this live feed.” He held the iPad out to me.
Reaching out for the device, I felt a tightness in my chest. I didn’t know what he was going to show me, but a foreboding settled over me. The cool metal touched my fingertips, and I wanted to jerk my hand back, as if it had bitten me. Whatever it was, I knew I didn’t want to see it.
My eyes reluctantly dropped to the screen, and my hands tightened at the sight of Merce Dancastle stepping out of a car. He was in the middle of a road; the area around him was dark, and although it could be any country road, I recognized it. I’d driven down it a million times throughout my life.
What was he doing in front of Maeme’s house?
I glanced up at Blaise as panic gripped me. This had happened already?
“Look at it,” Blaise demanded.
I dropped my eyes back to the iPad.
Royal stepped onto the road and stood there, speaking to Merce. She didn’t look like she wanted to be there.
Couldn’t he see the way she was shaken up? The fear on her face? Where the fuck was Maeme? Why was Royal outside, near the road, this late? She should be in bed.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying. The surveillance feed that far out only showed the picture. Royal was using her hands, talking animatedly, as if she were yelling at him.
Then, she paused. Her hands fell to her sides, and she just stared at him.
What had he said to her?
I could feel my heart slamming against my chest as the iPad trembled in my hands from the fury building inside me.
Merce was on my land. He’d had the fucking balls to come after her there. Where I had promised her she would be safe.
She began walking toward his car, and I froze. Dread pooled in my gut as I stared in horror at her opening the passenger door and climbing inside. The car drove away.
She’d gotten in it, and it had driven off. She’d left. With Merce Dancastle.
I shook my head. There had to be an explanation. She wouldn’t have gone to him like that.
“Something is wrong. I don’t know what he said to her, but she wouldn’t do that. Wilder”—I swung my gaze from the screen to him—“get the sound from this. There has to be a way to do that. She’s in danger with that motherfucker. He lied to her, and now, he has her!” My voice was getting louder, I realized, verging on a shout.