Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
I’m leaning against the doorframe as I watch her, and when those hazel eyes land on me, she folds her arms in front of her chest and arches a chestnut brow.
“We’re landing soon,” I tell her abruptly before turning and leaving her in the bedroom.
The longer I’m with her, the more I want her.
This infatuation is nothing more than hormones, and those need to be locked down, I admonish myself. What I do need is a hard fuck… with a stranger. I tack on the thought before my mind flits back to the girl who’s now joined me in the main cabin.
She doesn’t say anything. She sits silently and watches the clouds pass by outside the window. Her focus is on the early morning sky, and my attention is on her. Her pout deepens as she concentrates on whatever has her attention.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to find an email from Heinrich confirming Thane is at his house in New Orleans. My uncle has clearly had enough of hiding and has returned home to face the consequences of his actions. And he knows I’m coming for him.
Heinrich has included photos, taken earlier today, that show my uncle exiting his car and entering the house. Memories rush back as I look at the images of Thane’s home where I spent so many summers. I recall the fight my parents had on the way home to Tynewood after the last vacation we spent there. I never thought I’d be returning all these years later.
We’re heading right for him, and I’m guessing the moment we land, he’ll be waiting.
My uncle isn’t stupid. He knows I’m angry and want an explanation for everything he and my mother have done. I want to find out more about my parents and my family’s secrets, but I also need to discover what Thane is planning. Revenge will have to wait until I get the answers I need.
CHAPTER 9
GRECIA
Silence forms a barrier between us. I’m tense because I know we’ll be coming face-to-face with Thane soon. I’ve heard stories about him, and I used to see him around Tynewood when I was young, but I’ve never spoken to him. The idea of being so close, within touching distance, to a man like that causes anxiety to twist in my gut.
As we disembark, I can feel the tension radiating from Tarian. I can’t imagine how he’s feeling, but I don’t get a chance to ask, because the moment my feet hit the asphalt, a pair of arms snake around me and I’m dragged away from Tarian.
A scream peals itself from my lips as I struggle in my captor’s arms. Seconds pass before I register the man who’s standing a foot or so in front of me with a smirk on his face. He’s handsome, breathtakingly so, but the only reason I take notice is because he looks just like Tarian. Apart from his eye color— Thane Calvert’s are a deep brown, while Tarian’s are piercing blue.
I’m manhandled closer to Thane until the scent of his cologne envelops me, reminding me of spice and cigars.
“Well, what do we have here?” Tarian’s uncle asks.
“Leave her the fuck alone,” Tarian growls.
His voice is low with an edge of possession that causes me to shiver involuntarily. The words he spits from his mouth are a warning, the foreboding tone deep and gravelly. But words alone can’t rescue me from the thick, brutal arms that are holding me.
“It’s so nice of you both to visit.” Thane grins as his dark gaze flicks between me and Tarian.
We’re in such deep shit. There’s no way we’ll be able to extricate ourselves from this situation without some help.
“I came here to get answers. Stop playing God and tell your goon to let her fucking go, Thane,” Tarian bites out, venom lacing his words, as his body visibly trembles.
Just as I think Thane’s going to give the order to kill me, he waves his hand and I’m released.
“So the rumors are true,” Thane says when I rush over to Tarian. “The little Birchwood whore is under your protection. Has she surrendered her pretty cunt to you yet?”
The question is clearly an attempt to goad his nephew, and I pray Tarian doesn’t fall into the trap. I can feel him shaking beside me. His hands fist at his sides, but he doesn’t look at me. His glare is pinned solely on his uncle.
“Speak about her like that again, and I will fucking kill you. With or without answers.”
I’ve never seen Tarian so fueled by rage. His darkness is on full display. The monster lurking beneath has reared its head, readying itself for a fight.
A dark chuckle falls from Thane’s lips. There’s a saying that the devil is created to tempt, and I find myself believing it as I look at him. I can’t deny the man is good looking. His angular jaw with a light dusting of dark stubble, his dark eyes, and his full dusky pink lips make him look like a carved statue. But the beauty is merely a cover for the ugliness that lies beneath.