Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“We’ll always be together. I’m going to find out who did this and we’ll get them together. I promise, Jace. I have your back. Always.”
“Everything is gone,” he sobs.
“Not everything, what’s mine is yours. My life is your life. You can share my things. You know that.”
“Thanks, guys,” he sniffles. “I never want to lose you two.”
“Det vil du aldrig,” I promise because he never will.
Chapter 1
My Throne
Gio
Present…
“Something is wrong, she’s shutting down. Find a way to fix it,” Jace whispers in my ear before walking away.
I grunt and nod. I’ve noticed the change too. I’ve just been busy with closing this curtain for good. I’m watching, I see, I always see. However, I thought I had more time to focus on this later.
I reach for her hand and tug her to me. She won’t look up at me. I reach for her chin and lift her head. There are tears in her eyes.
“What’s going on? Talk to me.”
“Not now, G. You have guests to tend to. I can wait.”
“No, you can’t. I want to know what’s going on, baby. Something’s wrong. Is this about Riccardo?”
She gives me a wobbly smile. “No. Everything has changed.”
I furrow my brows. Everything is falling in line. I’ve fixed everything and I’m about to make my final move.
“Yeah, a lot has changed, but that’s what we wanted. He’s gone.”
“I know but—”
I tug her to me to crush her lips with mine, cutting her words off. I deepen the kiss as she melts into me. I’ve done all of this for her. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I’m not losing her now. We finish this together.
When I break the kiss, I stare into her eyes, searching for answers. I’ve made good on my word. I’m not understanding this change.
“Talk to me, Ny. We work when we talk.”
“This isn’t the place. Let’s enjoy our family. You worked hard for this.”
“We, we worked hard for this.”
She nods as a tear falls. I reach for her face and brush it away. I work my jaw, annoyed with the timing of it all.
Things begin to move in slow motion. I’m aware of everything going on in the room as Chaka Khan’s voice comes through the speakers singing about going through the fire, to the limit and to the wall. Even as the words pierce my chest and say all I feel for this woman standing before me, I feel them coming for me.
My time is up on all accounts. I have to reveal my final hand. Tonight, everyone will learn who I am.
This time it’s all about me. The veiled secrets. The cracked plate, the forgotten son, the hidden ace.
I’ll tell you a little secret, I know who I am. I know why it had to be me. Why they’ve been watching me prepare.
Yes, I collect dolls and they have a purpose. I’ve been adjusting them to fit my needs for years. They’re finally ready and not a moment too soon.
They’re my front line. To get to me, you have to make it through my Dollhouse. That’s no easy feat.
If ever you make it through my Dollhouse, then you’re met with by knights—my soul twin and my queen—the curator and doll master. If either falls, then you’ll wish for death because I’m going to make the world fall down around you.
I’ll reveal to you pain no man has known and lived through. I’ve never been weak. I’m always aware of everything around me.
Like now. I lick my bottom lip and pull my guns from their holsters. They’re here and I’m ready.
Bringing this war to my door. Big mistake.
I’ve been getting ready for this day since I was sixteen. We’ve been waiting for this. Tonight, all my sacrifices start to make sense, it all falls into place. Tonight, I claim my throne.
Wait, hold on—you’re missing some things. Allow me to rewind and fill you in. Let’s go back four years to the night of the car bombing. Yeah, that’s where you need to be.
Chapter 2
It’s Time
Gio
Four years ago…
“You all have a great life. I’m out of here.”
“Ny,” I call after her. “Nyla.”
“Goodbye, Gio.”
I ball my fists at my sides. I want to stop her, but this is feeding my next move. I need Ny angry, and I need her ghost for a while. When I pull the curtain, all will make sense, but she can’t be here until then.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Dad asks.
“No, Lucas, it’s not. I’ll handle it.”
“Good, Riccardo’s demise has to fall at the right time.”
“I know this.” I turn to him and narrow my eyes. “What brings you here? I’m sure you didn’t come to deliver the message about Barbieri. You could have sent one of your guys for that.”
He shakes his head and gives me a smile I’ve seen in the mirror a hundred times before. “I need you to take a ride with me,” he says.