Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
One, two, three, four … By the time I hit ten, they have faded into the crowd, and there is nothing left other than a throng of women who desperately want that handsome man to return. Not me. No, it doesn’t matter how completely devastatingly handsome that he is; I’m happy he’s gone. Because now I can finally let out the breath I was holding.
My gut reaction is to run out of here and go straight to my hotel to call my father. But I don’t allow myself to do that.
I need to act cool and collected, just in case.
With my shoulders pulled back, I walk to the bar. I’m still in the VIP area, so there’s no wait. Most of the guests in this section have bottle service at their tables. As easy as it is to just sit with some desperate man to get a drink, I don’t. Not after my time with Alaric Prince.
On the outside, I might have looked cool and collected, but inside I shook the whole time we spoke. I wasn’t prepared. Photos didn’t do him justice. I knew he was attractive, but what I met at the bar tonight was so much more than attractive.
The word god springs to mind.
Like a real-life Poseidon. King of the ocean.
I knew from pictures that he had brown hair, but what I couldn’t see in a picture was that nestled amongst the brown locks were streaks of blond from his time on the yacht. Sun-kissed features and crisp blue eyes.
He’s gorgeous. Although, that might not be even strong enough of a word.
Needing to calm myself from the interaction, I smile at the handsome man behind the bar.
“Tequila.” My hands still shake beside me.
“Any brand in particular?”
“Your best.” Whatever will take the edge off. I don’t normally drink this much, haven’t since I graduated from college, but this calls for one or two. I wish my best friend Hannah were here. She would know how to talk me down from my crazy.
My nerves knot up tight. My breaths lodge in my throat from fear that I would misstep.
This is my time to show my father that I can help him. I know I don’t have to, but after everything he’s done for me, I want to.
It’s not long before I’m settling my tab and heading to my hotel. I’m not drunk per se, but I’m not sober either. I have a large tolerance to alcohol despite my size. I’m short and petite, a combo that shouldn’t bode well for heavy drinking, but I can hold my own. I thank my days at boarding school for that. No matter how much I have, I never really get drunk. Now with a healthy buzz going on, I just want to relax and climb into my hotel bed and fall asleep.
I’m not sure how long I’ve slept, but when I open my eyes, streams of light peek in through the curtains.
Turning to my side, I swipe my phone and look at the time. It’s eleven a.m. I must have had more to drink than I thought.
Even though it’s late, I have plenty of time to get ready. Tonight is the night that I approach him again, but first I have to call my father.
The phone only rings once before he answers. I pace the floor as he says hello.
“Hi,” I respond, more timidly than I want. I’m not afraid of what he will ask of me. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint him.
“I was worried about you.” He has every right to be. I’m sure I’ll wear a hole in the carpet with all this pacing back and forth. He can’t see it, but I’m just as nervous as he is.
I stop in front of the mirror across from the bed and stand stiffly, holding my body.
Not a good look for me. Nope. This face has seen better days. I look tired. My eyes are normally harder, but now I just look exhausted.
“I’m good.”
“Did you make contact?” he asks. He wasn’t on board with my plan, but it was the only one we had.
“I did,” I respond, and it makes me smile. I hadn’t thought about it yet today, but I did it. I did what I was supposed to do. I contacted Alaric Prince. “I set the bait.” My voice already sounds stronger with purpose.
“And what exactly is the bait? Please tell me you—”
“I have it under control. I did nothing but stand there. He did the rest.”
“The rest being …?”
I can hear the concern in his voice. My adoptive dad might have sent me away for half my life, but he’s always shown how much he cares for me. His voice is inaudible and reminds me of when I first came to be in his custody.
The muscles around my heart tighten, but I shake my head. I will not go there right now.