Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
For a moment, I’m sure she’s going to challenge me, but then she relents and shrugs out of the heavy material. I take the item before I turn and head for the door.
“Will you be ready in twenty minutes?” I look over my shoulder, my eyes on hers as I watch the annoyance dance in her eyes and the frustration written all over her face.
“Yes,” is the only word she utters before she disappears into her attached bathroom. She has everything she needs in there, so I leave her be. It’s a lot to take in when you first arrive at Black Hollow. And even though Brielle has been here for a couple of months now, we’ve not made it easy. Or, I should rephrase, Judah hasn’t made it easy for her.
Not that I blame him. Not anymore.
When I reach my bedroom, I find Judah leaning against the closed door, arms crossed. He’s in a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt. The uniform that’s worn to all these dinners and events.
“Is she ready?”
“She will be,” I tell him.
He pushes away from the door, taking a step toward me as he leans in close. “Don’t let her get to you. Out of the three of us, you’re the one who will more than likely break first.”
I chuckle as I press my lips to his ear. “Want to see her break? Let’s see if she’ll play a game. Truly test her,” I whisper.
Judah puts some distance between us, the surprise on his face is clear. There is one thing that takes place at these events most of the women hate. It’s part of becoming welcomed into the family.
It’s easier to kill than to go through the test.
“She’ll be angry if we test her like that, and I have a feeling that exposing her to others won’t sit well with me. I don’t share with bastards like those,” Judah says finally, with a nod. Deep down, I didn’t expect him to agree. “I’ll be out in the car.”
Once I’m alone, I head into my room to get ready for the evening ahead. I’ve been to these every year since I turned five. When I was little, it would be the most exciting night of the year. We would be allowed to sit amongst the elders. All the Bosses would talk about business. And even though we didn’t truly understand what they were talking about, not really, there was a sense of importance which came with being a part of it all.
It doesn’t take me long to get ready, and I’m tense as I make my way down the stairs. I’m not sure what Brielle is going to do, but as the three of us wait for her, all dressed in our tuxes. I know that the moment she descends those stairs, we’re going to be more than fucking distracted.
A TEST OF LOYALTY
BRIELLE
I take one last look at my reflection. The dress is beautiful, the soft, silky material is gentle against my skin. I made my face up with dark eyeliner that accentuates the colour, and my lips are glossy. I’ve added a dark shadow to my eyelids, giving off a smoky effect. And I’ve left my hair loose. The sleek, silken strands hang to the middle of my back. A dark curtain in case I need to hide.
I’m unsure of what to expect from this event. Growing up away from this life, I’ve not gotten used to gatherings like the guys have, and I have a feeling they will not be as protective of me as they would have been if they didn’t learn about my father’s plan.
When I think about the man who is meant to look after me, the man who raised me, I can’t stop the anger from taking over. All I ever did was look up to him. I thought he was a hero. I still haven’t gone through the folder Judah gave me on my father.
Once we’re back from this stupid party, I’ll have to do it. Instead of putting it off, I should learn who he really is. I hope there’s also information about my surgery. I quickly take my medication before I grab my purse and head out of the safety of my bedroom.
The house is silent as the low lights illuminate the old gothic building in a soft yellow glow. If it wasn’t so eerie, it would be beautiful. There is a heaviness in the air, malevolence that fills the home reminding me it’s not a normal place to live. There are dangerous people who inhabit it. Men who will kill me if tonight doesn’t go well.
I know why they’re doing it. This life is one where you have to prove your loyalty. And I have to do it, or I’ll never see my next birthday.