Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 120472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 482(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 482(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Roman just stands there motionless, his eyes wide and full of confusion, and it’s as though he doesn’t even know himself. “I, umm …”
Levi comes striding back into view, stealing my gaze away from Roman as a wave of guilt washes through me, though it shouldn’t. Whatever Levi and I had before is gone now, and it’s not like Marcus and I are exclusive, so technically I’m free to kiss whoever the hell I want, but it shouldn’t matter because I’ll never allow Roman to do that again.
“Here,” Levi says, dropping the pills into my hand and passing me a glass of water as he glances between me and Roman, his brows pulling together. “Take these. They’re strong so they should work quickly.”
I nod and immediately pop them into my mouth, looking anywhere but at the two men hovering around me. Pressing the cool glass to my lips, I take a small drink and swallow the pills, hating that I can still taste Roman there. It’s intoxicating. Scratch that. He’s intoxicating. He always has been right from the start, but he’s not mine and I don’t ever want him to be.
I feel Levi’s stare digging into me as I lower the glass from my lips, his eyes narrow on mine. “What’s going on in here?” he questions, his tone dropping low.
“Nothing,” Roman snaps, turning his back and striding to the door. “Hurry up. I want to get this over and done with before we miss our chance. Father has only given us a week of freedom and we’re quickly running out of time.”
Levi watches me a second longer before taking off after his brother, and as they disappear down the hall, I watch after them, unable to comprehend what the hell just went down, or why I can’t help calling after them. “Wait,” I rush out, my feet involuntarily following them down the long hallway toward the front door. “Where are you going?”
Roman pauses, his back stiffening as Levi stops and turns back to me. “It’s just business,” he says. “Go and lay down on the couch. Marcus will help you back upstairs when he wakes.”
I shake my head and walk toward him. “What kind of business?” I question. “Bullshit errands for your father, or is this personal?” I pause and watch as both Levi and Roman’s gazes harden, silently answering my question. Tonight has everything to do with their plan of overthrowing their father, and damn it, I want in.
Roman steps in beside his brother. “You don’t want any part of this, Empress,” he says, his stare digging into mine as if he’d been reading my thoughts.
“You wouldn’t know a damn thing about what I want, Roman,” I say as I slowly walk toward them. “But you can be damn sure that if your plan to overthrow your father is still in the works, then I’m going to be right there to watch that fucker burn. I’m not some pathetic bitch who’s going to sit back and watch from the sidelines. I’ve already lost too much not to reap the rewards. So, if you’re building an empire, then consider me officially head of the game.”
And just like that, I stride past them toward the door, only stopping when they don’t follow. “Hurry up, boys. The clock is ticking.”
Levi glances at his eldest brother and a silent message passes between them before they both sigh and nod, giving in to my every will and demand, just as they should. “If you get in my fucking way,” Roman growls, stepping into me, fury raging behind his eyes at not only being bested but because he showed his true cards by kissing me. “Then it’s your head on the chopping block.”
“Wow. Death threats, huh?” I laugh, raising a brow, knowing that even if he wanted to, he would never hurt me again. “If forgiveness is your endgame, then I should warn you, you’re already heading in the wrong direction. But don’t be fooled, if I get in your way tonight, then your only acceptable response is to move the fuck aside.”
Then just like that, Levi strides past me, walking toward the internal garage door and holding it wide for me. “After you,” he tells me, watching as I walk past before I hear his softly muttered words flowing behind me. “This should be interesting.”
10
Roman brings the black Escalade to a stop outside a gorgeous mansion, a few hours’ drive from the city. It’s huge, but has nothing on the boys’ castle or even their father’s family home. It’s clear this is a product of old money though, just like everything else in this fucked-up mafia world I’ve been dragged into.
The driveway is long and windy but as Roman kills the headlights and creeps closer to the front door, I see the home in all its glory, not even the dark night can hide its beauty. “What’s up?” Levi questions, glancing at me from the front passenger seat. “You look weird.”