Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
He nods a few times.
We exchange this look that reaches into me. Acknowledgement. An I understand you and I’m here. Something that I’ve never shared with Farrow face-to-face.
SFO is a brotherhood. More than any other force.
After hurting him, I’ve wanted to be deserving of it. Can’t say that I am, can’t say that I’ll ever be—but I won’t retreat.
I hold his gaze. “I stuck a fucking thorn in your side.”
“No, you were the thorn,” he says matter-of-factly. “And being honest, I didn’t know what Jane saw in you. I didn’t think you’d ever break a rule to give her what she wants and needs, and the fact that you did—it makes you someone I don’t mind hanging around.”
I nod slowly, realizing this fucking whole time, he would’ve appreciated me breaking the “don’t fuck your client” rule. For Jane.
I cap the water bottle, my eyes narrowed at the reality. With the looming breakup, it’ll all reverse. Like I never broke the rule to begin with.
Farrow checks the oven clock. “And you broke her little 3 a.m. get-the-fuck-out rule.”
“Accidental. ” I set the water bottle on the counter. “Don’t go buying me a fucking round.”
“Man, you don’t have to worry that I will.” He pushes away from the fridge. “I only buy rounds for broken hearts.”
I open my mouth to speak—a crash thunders from upstairs. Shaking the kitchen. Like a body just hit the ground. We don’t wait for the vibrating to stop.
We bolt. As fast as our fucking feet can carry us. Concern detonating a strong force inside of me. Fear hyper-focuses me. Four souls upstairs. Jane, Sulli, Luna, Maximoff.
Jane.
Jane.
We don’t call out to them.
In case someone broke in without setting off the alarms, we can’t yell their fucking names and give our positions away. We’re already risking being heard as we race up the old stairs. I’m out in front of Farrow.
Adrenaline pitching my pulse. Her name is a scream caged inside me.
Maximoff is running down the stairs from the attic. Towards the second-floor. Where the girls are.
We come up to the landing, just as Jane’s door opens and she steps out, cautious. “Thatcher?” Her eyes widen, scared for her cousins.
I act fast. Clutching her waist, I pull Jane further out of the room. Behind my back, and Farrow goes straight to Luna and Sulli’s door. He kicks it open.
“Whoa, fuck ,” Sulli curses from inside.
By her surprised tone, I can already tell this is a false alarm. But we need to check her room regardless.
Protocol: Jane can’t come in until it’s all-clear . Neither can Maximoff.
It’s hard to leave her. My chest knots. “Wait here until I call you,” I tell her strictly. She’s safe.
“I will—”
Our heads turn as Sulli suddenly fills the doorway, yanking earbuds out, drenched in sweat. “Uh, guys…is this about the fucking bang because that was me. I’m so fucking sorry.” She wipes her forehead with her toned bicep. “I was doing deadlifts and dropped the bar too hard. Luna slept through the noise, so I didn’t think anything of it.”
“It’s okay,” Maximoff says.
Jane lets out a deeper breath. “We’re just glad you’re safe.” Her gaze pins back to me, and our eyes lock. Thoughts and feelings tumble between us. But we’re quiet. Even with Maximoff and Farrow knowing our secret, Luna and Sulli are still in the dark. It’s a reminder that we still have to be careful. Can’t get too comfortable.
But she is right—at least everyone is safe.
Especially her.
41
JANE COBALT
I knew I’d be nervous when this day finally came. But I didn’t know I’d have a swarm of caterpillars crawling around my stomach. So naturally, I called in reinforcements.
“Oooh, I like this one.” Aunt Daisy playfully waves a cheetah print vest.
“Or this one.” Aunt Lily scoots out from the bottom of my closet with a tulle mint-green skirt.
And ladies and gentlemen, behind me is a sword, a cannon blast, a shoulder to cry on, a stroke of hope—my mom.
In a form-fitting black dress, long matte black nails, and dark rouge lipstick, Rose Calloway Cobalt stands pin-straight, her posture stiff and rigid. And cold. But she wields such deep love for me in her piercing yellow-green eyes.
I watch her through my vanity mirror. She curls my hair. Methodical and slow, but she snaps the curling iron at her sisters. “Don’t confuse her.”
It is all very confusing.
I’m about to meet Thatcher’s entire family. His mom, stepmom, cousins, uncles, and aunts. The only person missing in action will be his dad.
Pressure is a creature I know good and well, but I find myself caring about how his family perceives me, most of all.
I glance between the skirt and vest. “I like them both, really. They’d look perfectly un-matching together.” Which is what I love best.
“Wow, we’re like stylists,” Daisy says, giving Lily a silly grin and wagging her brows.