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)
“Yeah, I know. I’ll be back at some point with the rest of the guys. Thanks for taking us to the airstrip. I just wanted to say goodbye before we fly out,” I tell him.
Jerome’s father is Billy, the gym owner who’s helped Ares in the past. When Jerome left Tynewood, he moved to Capri to live with his mother. Billy wasn’t happy about it, but I think he knew it would be better for his son to live abroad rather than join the Sovereign.
“It’s all good. You know you’re always welcome to stay with me if you want to come back.” His invitation for us to visit him here means a lot. “You seen my old man lately?” Jerome asks.
“Nah, not for a few months,” I tell him. “But I know he misses you.”
“He still doing the fighting thing?”
I nod and Jerome shakes his head. “Asshole will never learn. I’ve told him countless times to leave that shithole and move here.”
“I’ve a feeling Billy likes living there because it’s where he grew up, and now Abner’s in jail, there’s no longer any threat to him. Your dad may not be part of the Sovereign anymore, but deep down, I think he misses being involved in the intrigue, and with all the drama going on at the moment, Tynewood’s the place to be. Did you know my mother is still alive?”
His eyes widen as I get him up to speed on what’s been happening back home. Even to my ears it sounds like a goddamned soap opera.
“Where’s Etienne?”
“Well, he’s living with his girlfriend, who’s also my cousin, at the Durand house.”
“Girlfriend? So The God of Love has finally settled down.” Jerome shakes his head and chuckles as he mentions the nickname we gave Etienne when we were at school.
“Yeah, he’s fucking pussy-whipped,” I tell him.
I can’t help but smile at the idea of my best friend with Rukaiya. I never thought I’d see the day when Etienne would become a one-woman man. I also can’t believe it’s my cousin he’s fucking.
Jerome heads out to the car carrying a couple of suitcases. I’ve packed everything I brought with me from Tynewood, including my hacking equipment, which has come in very handy while I’ve been away. Working for Abner gave me a lot of experience when it comes to computer systems. Before I stepped up as a Crown and Abner was arrested, I used to do his bidding. That was before we found out what an asshole he is. Ares’ father isn’t a good man, and now he’s rotting in jail where he belongs.
Focusing on the here and now, I head to Grecia’s bedroom. I silently watch her from the doorway. Her curves are accentuated by a tight pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I know when she turns around and I feast my eyes on her ample tits, my dick will stand at attention.
I’ve jerked off to the thought of Grecia Birchwood countless times, but I know it would be a mistake for us to get involved. She’s a friend and could be a Crown if she chooses to step up and take the position, so it would make breaking her heart very messy.
It’s far too close to home.
CHAPTER 3
GRECIA
He’s an insufferable asshole.
A stubborn, overconfident asshole, but I can’t bring myself to leave.
Ares and Etienne trusted me with the well-being of their best friend, and I don’t want to let them down. My heart aches when I look at Tarian and see how torn up he is about the shit that went down with his family, and I know he believes that in some way he’s to blame.
We’ve been traveling around Capri and Sardinia, the islands of Italy, for a while now, and he still can’t get past the fact his family are irrevocably broken. There’s no hope for them to heal, but I truly believe that time will show Tarian it’s not his fault. I want him to be happy even if it means I can’t be anything more to him than the platonic friend he needs right now.
If I’m being honest, it’s stupid to think he could ever want me in that way. He’s popular, handsome, and everything a girl could desire, apart from the darkness residing in him. There’s a monster that lurks beneath the surface, and it reveals itself in his blue eyes whenever he focuses on finding Thane.
He’s not at all like his uncle, but I know he doesn’t believe that. Tarian has so many layers; peeling them back might take a lifetime. I’ve learned over the past few weeks how to handle him, and I’ve focused on being the friend he needs. But every now and then, I wonder what it would be like to be with him.
“You ready?” His voice steals my attention, causing me to turn to find him leaning against the door frame.