Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Her stunning blond hair hangs around her waist in long curls, shiny and perfect.
Her bright green eyes pop even more when outlined with makeup and her lips. Damn, I want that red lipstick smeared on my cock.
She turns, giving everyone a smile that slowly dims when she notices me standing there. I take a step forward, slipping my hands into my pockets.
"I’d ask what you’re doing here, but I think I already know."
She blinks slowly, and I realize how shitty that sounds only after I’ve said it. "In case it wasn’t obvious, I'm here representing my family."
I narrow my eyes, my own anger flaring. I’m not mad at her. I’m mad at Sebastian for dragging her into the fucking lion’s den.
"What’s going on?" Sebastian’s deep voice fills my ears as he ends the call and walks toward us.
"Really? I thought we talked about this. I told you I didn't want her at this thing. She doesn't belong here. She doesn't belong in this world."
Sebastian’s features turn indifferent as he slips on the mask of business. His eyes are cold and dark. It’s the same look he's given me for weeks now and doesn’t do shit to sway me. I’m not scared of him.
"Thank you for sharing your opinion on what you believe is right for my family," he says, his tone as cold as his gaze. “But I don’t give a fuck what you want, Marshall. The only person who matters to me at the moment is Bel.”
All I can do is shake my head, turning my attention back to Bel. She hasn’t learned how to master hiding her emotions and it’s clear she’s pissed from the blazing flames of rage in her eyes.
"Excuse me, but you don't get to make these decisions for me. This is my life now and I have just as much right to be here as you do."
It has nothing to do with right and everything to do with belonging, but she doesn’t understand that.
"No, you don't. You aren't part of this world, Bel. You're too..."
She arches a brow. "Too what? Too naive, too female, too...what?"
"Good. You're too good for this."
I swallow hard as I admit it because it's almost like admitting she's too good for me too. Which I know is the truth, not that I've been willing to give her up despite knowing that.
“Whatever. I won’t stand here and argue with you about whether I should be here when I already am. I’m a big girl, Drew. I don’t always need you to worry about me.” She shoves past me, and Sebastian follows her, completely ignoring me as he passes to enter the house.
Fucking Christ. The desire to destroy something pulses through my veins like a second heartbeat. I’m so angry with myself and Sebastian. I didn’t mean for her to take it the way she did, and now I can’t do a damn thing but stand by and watch her enter the lion's den. More guests filter in, and there is no doubt my father will be looking for me soon.
Fuck. I don't need this. Now I have to babysit that asshole's fucking mood as well as keep my eyes on Bel to ensure she's safe. I trust Seb to stand by her side, but there will be parts of this shit show where he'll have to talk to people she doesn't have any need to speak to. I just fucking hope Seb knows the difference by now.
Turning around, I find her without thought and stare at the bare expanse of her back, all that creamy smooth skin on display. Why the fuck did he let her wear that dress?
Someone approaches me from the side, and I can't remember his name, so I just give him a sharp nod and snag a class of something brown off a passing tray.
"Andrew, you're looking well."
Dammit. I don’t remember this fucker's name. I think he does something with guns. The majority of these fuckers do. I shake his hand and nod again.
"Call me Drew, please."
He smiles, and his gaze bounces around the room. "Good turnout. I'm a little surprised, considering some of the rumors going around."
Consider me interested. "Rumors?"
He nods toward Seb and the other heads of family gathered in the room thus far. "Yes, the rumors about your father."
I try not to look as interested as I feel. "What sort of rumors?"
Is this what I need? Can it be this easy?
He shrugs. “As his son, you can’t tell me you haven’t heard them yourself. I’m sure it’s nothing more than gossip.”
“Possibly, but I can’t confirm or deny what I don’t know.”
“Right, yes. Well, some members of the family are worried about your father’s mental state and if he should be in the seat he’s in, given your mother’s deteriorating health.”
I grit my teeth. “Understandable. I can see the concern, but please tell whoever is spreading such rumors that they should speak with me if they have any issues.”