Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
I think Nikolai was right; I am unhinged when it comes to my Angel. Because the thoughts of what I’m going to do to Brent are far darker than anything I’ve ever considered in the past. Brent hadn’t really been my concern before this. Sure, I didn’t care for what he was doing, but it hadn’t really affected me personally. But after seeing how he violated my sweet Angel, he is enemy number one. And no matter what Matteo or anyone else says, I will be the one to send him to meet his maker.
“Well shit,” Nikolai mutters next to me, along with a few words in Russian. “He got a better collection of pictures than you?”
He jumps back as I swing, barely missing him. He's damn lucky, because it would have rattled a few teeth loose. Nikolai holds up his hands again, fighting a smile. As if the little fuck has room to talk.
“I find it really hard to believe that the father didn’t know about any of this.” I speak my thoughts.
“He did.” Matteo confirms my suspicions. "I think he used her to try to keep him in check to some extent. I don’t know for sure, but the more I dig, the worse shit gets.”
“What is your plan here? You let that little fucker go for some damn reason.” I’m trying to keep it together and respect Matteo.
"Senators and their children cannot simply disappear, Church. I have pull, but not that much pull. All eyes would be on us from everywhere.”
“Then, what?” Tension is filling my body, and I need to release it. “It’s only a matter of time before people notice the senator isn’t at home.”
“We need the kid. Then, I’ll do the rest.”
“All right.” That’s all I need to know. I head toward the box. I hear Nikolai follow behind me down the stairs. I enter the code for the thick lock loudly when it flips over.
When I enter the room, Rothschild's head rises, his eyes wide with fear. Blood has dried at the corner of his mouth. He lets out a whimper.
“Fucking hate that smell,” Nikolai mutters. The smell of piss can come with this job.
It’s about to get a whole lot worse.
12
ANGEL
“How are you holding up?” Riley asks.
“I don’t know.” I run my fingers over the pictures still laid out on the kitchen island. A sense of guilt fills me, even though I know I’m not responsible for any of this. I knew my twin wasn’t a good person, but I never imagined he would resort to this.
“All right.” Riley scoops them all up. “This isn’t on you. In fact, you heard them: Since we became friends, they found out about this, so you can help stop it.”
“Not really, but okay.” I let out a humorless laugh. It’s a lot to take in. But it does give me a little bit of a reprieve. “He’s always been off,” I admit. I have never said that out loud before.
“Yeah, you guys don’t have the twin thing.”
“I don’t think we ever did.” I can’t recall us playing together when we were little. “He always tormented me. Got a thrill out of it.”
“One of those red flags.”
“Yeah,” I sigh. "I used to rationalize it as typical brotherly behavior, but he took it too far."
“It’s weird that he and Becky do this together. When they cornered me in his bedroom…” Her voice trails off.
“Oh God, Riley, I’m so sorry.” I walk over and give her a hug.
“It’s fine.” She squeezes me back. “It will all be worth it, if it stops them.”
“You’re right. My life is really going to change.” I’m sure this will be everywhere. I’ve already had early acceptance to a few Ivy League colleges. I bet they get yanked for sure. They were going to be my ticket out of here. I’d picked colleges on the other side of the country on purpose. To start a new life away from all of my father and brother’s nonsense. I didn’t want to live a life in the eye of the public. But thinking about leaving now doesn’t seem so appealing. Not when Abel is here.
“Some for the good?” Riley wiggles her eyebrows. My cheeks start to warm. “So,” she hedges.
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Abel is a bit surreal.”
“He’s intense.”
“What do you know about him?”
"I've only heard of him. My brother-in-law or Nikolai mentioned him.”
“And what did they mention?”
“Ah—” Riley doesn’t meet my eyes.
“What? You’re freaking me out. He told me he wasn’t married.”
“Oh, I don’t think he is. People are just kind of leery of him. I think he handles situations that need a certain set of skills.” I snort a laugh at that. “I don’t know.” She shrugs. “But Nikolai did say he was acting differently with you. I pushed Nikolai to bring me with him to come over so I could check on you.”