Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 590(@200wpm)___ 472(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Not only did the bastards lose their lives, but they also lost every penny to those they’d ever hurt.
Henri had found a job playing his true self: slaughtering the monsters and saving their slaves. When he was at home with me, he was just Hen. If we weren’t playing of course. But when he was out hunting, he was the blackhearted monster who fed on pain with no remorse.
The first few times he’d flown off with his brother to do a ‘job’, I’d huddled in front of the fireplace in panic. Tess had come to visit. She’d plied me with enough wine to ensure I was giggling instead of crying and kept me sane enough to accept that we’d fallen in love with men who would never have a desk job.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: You still alright if I crash with you guys? I never like to assume.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: You know if you tried to stay anywhere else, we’d come over there and kidnap you.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: Careful. You might give me flashbacks.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: Doubt it, you’re far too stubborn for that. How’s the bar work at the local pub going by the way?
My mind slipped down memory lane. When Peter called us from dropping in on his parents unannounced, everything about the prickly proud man who’d taken me under his wing on Victor’s island had changed.
He’d looked instantly younger. He couldn’t stop smiling. He made inappropriate jokes and valued every second of his freedom. Within a few weeks, he’d found a room to rent with another single guy and got back into living a life as if he’d never been collared.
His strength astounded me. The shiny skin on his hands and feet and his many scars under his clothes were the only signs he’d ever been used so badly. And the best thing about his impromptu announcement to his parents? They hadn’t died of a heart attack.
Thank God.
He’d even called me so we could have a video chat where I apologised profusely for giving them misinformation, only to be invited around any time, day or night.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: Funny you should ask about that. It’s good. Better than good. I…you know what? That news can wait until I see you.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: Now that’s just rude.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: Speaking of news. Can I be there when you tell him?
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: No, definitely not. How you even figured it out before he did has to go against some sort of friendship code.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: Can’t blame me if I’m observant.
I laughed and cupped my still flat belly.
I didn’t even know I wanted children until those two little lines appeared.
I was nervous as hell telling Henri but…excited too.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: What gave it away?
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: The fact that you went bolting off camera when we were video chatting last month. Henri might’ve bought your story that it was food poisoning, but I have the advantage of not seeing you every day.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: What advantage?
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: You’ve always been gorgeous, jaanu. But each time we spoke after that night you seemed to glow.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: What if he doesn’t want one?
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: Then I’ll punch some goddamn sense into him.
The front door opened downstairs.
The energy in the gorgeous gatehouse that we’d accepted as a gift from Q—but insisted on paying rent for—instantly filled with love.
My skin prickled with it. My heart fluttered with it.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: I’ve got to go. See you in ten minutes or so?
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: Definitely. I’m looking forward to seeing his face when he figures out he’s gonna have a daughter.
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: Oh God. Don’t even joke. He won’t handle having a daughter. He’ll slaughter every man he ever sees—good or bad.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: I just laughed so hard the driver swerved. Hey, Ily?
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: Yeah?
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: If I asked to bring a guest next time…would that be okay?
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: Ahhhhh!!!!! Are you saying what I think you’re saying?
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: :) :) – that’s my face. See it smiling?
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: You met someone?
Henri’s heavy footfalls sounded on the stairs.
PETE AKA ‘THE GOOD GUY’: I met someone.
The landing creaked with its weathered floorboards as Henri passed the guest room where I stood by the window. He headed into our room on autopilot. When he didn’t find me there, his rich delicious voice rose. “Ily?”
ILY AKA ‘THE NIGHTMARE’: We are so speaking about this when you get here. Tell the driver to go faster.
Throwing my phone onto the ridiculous mountain of cushions, I almost floated toward my husband-to-be.
The woollen string around my finger had frayed within the first few days.