Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
We sit in silence for a while, her wall going back up brick by brick as I try to cling to reason, to duty, to honor.
“Carina, I only want to help you.” I sigh. “Just let me in.”
She leans over the bed and swipes her phone from the floor. With her other hand, she points. “The door’s over there. Don’t let it hit you on the ass on the way out.”
14
CARINA
Gilly sits there for a long moment, neither of us speaking. What else does he want me to say? I gave him his opportunity to tell me the real reason he didn’t want me to go on the date with Falco, but he didn’t take it. I don’t know what he wants from me. If anyone needs to get their shit worked out, it’s him. I’ve got enough battles of my own to deal with.
“Go out on a date with Falco, and I’ll kill him.”
That might actually solve my problem, but it’s really not that easy. I have no idea what the fallout for that would be, not only for Gilly but my brother. But I do know that it would not go over well with the other families.
“That would start a war.”
“People die all the time for all kinds of reasons.” True, but it can’t be him that does it. The Falco family can’t think it came from us.
“Get out of my room. I’m done with this conversation.”
Gilly stands, to my surprise.
A pang of disappointment fills me, but I shouldn’t be shocked. I’m okay for him to play with in the dark but nowhere else. A dirty secret. That’s what I am to him. At first I thought that it might be fun to sneak around with him. I guess what they say is true. Be careful of what you wish for. You just might get it.
“This isn’t over, Carina.”
“It most definitely is, Gilly. I’m not your little toy to play with when you want.” I lash out with my words. I know some of them are for Falco too. He came into my home and threatened me. Scared me.
“You’re not a toy.”
“I’ll scream.”
“Carina,” he warns.
“I swear it, Gilly. I’ll scream this whole house down. Then you'll have to explain to my brother why you’re always sneaking into my room. You tell my secrets, and I’ll tell yours.”
“You’re not being rational.”
“I’ve never been rational, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise to you.” I laugh. “Now leave.” I order him in a sharper tone this time. I know I need to get him out of here before my resolve wanes.
I don’t see it coming. Gilly’s hand wraps around my throat. His hold is firm but gentle, letting me know he’s in control. But is he? I don’t think he really is. Gilly pins me to the bed under him. I don’t fight him. Fear doesn’t shoot through my body like it should. No, instead my traitorous body fills with lust.
“Get some rest, but this isn’t done,” he repeats. “You’ll never be done with me.” He presses his mouth to mine in a hard, punishing kiss. “You belong to me.” He releases his hold on me and heads toward my bedroom door. “Cancel the date.”
He doesn’t wait for a response before he slips from my room, closing the door behind him. I want to throw something at the door, but I manage to get myself under control. Barely and mainly because my phone vibrates, reminding me of the task at hand.
Magic: Found him.
Magic: And the man from last night.
Me: They’re together.
Magic: Yep.
The first thing I did when I got back to my bedroom was pull security footage from our home and grab a full-face picture of Falco. I knew if Magic had it, she’d be able to track down the man from the other night.
Ocean: You know what you’re doing Rebel?
Neither of them ask about my family, but they know. It’s an unspoken thing. I’m sure once I handed over the picture along with Falco’s full name, Ocean took it upon herself to do a soft dive into the man. I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.
Me: Where are they now?
I don’t answer Ocean because, no I don’t know what I’m doing yet. My brother always told me when you don’t know what to do, you should be still and wait. So that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Magic: Strip Club
Of course that’s where they are. It doesn’t come as a surprise. She drops the location into the group text.
Magic: There are only cameras on the front and back doors. I know he went in and hasn’t come back out yet. I can’t see inside. Let me check the phones.
I head to my closet to change. I have to cut up some of my clothes, but when I’m done, I know I’ll have no problem getting in.