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)
I don’t bother responding because my anger has taken a hold and I don’t believe or trust anything my father tells me. I don’t delete the message, I leave it in the inbox and lie back on the cold, hard mattress.
In the dark, the screen is blinding, as I open the message Judah sent me weeks ago. It’s the photo he tried to distract me with when I was training with Kai. Things have certainly changed. Granted, he still wanted to kill me, only now, he had a reason to.
When I first arrived in Black Hollow, I was a pawn in a game, and now I’m the losing piece on the board. I didn’t know my father’s entire plan. He kept all the important information to himself. I only learned about the diabolical idea last night.
My thumbs hover over the screen as I look at Judah’s photo. He’s on his bed, the mirror across from him reflecting his shirtless body. I can’t deny, even now, I’m attracted to the arsehole. There isn’t any sane reason for me to be, but there’s an underlying lust-fuelled current that races through me every time he’s near.
I go back and open a new message before scrolling down to Valen’s name. He’s been my friend since I arrived, and I am hoping I can get through to him even if it means I’m about to lose my phone. Once they realise I have access to the device, it will be removed from me and I’ll be left alone in the dark once more. But I have to try.
I promised myself before I got on the flight to Black Hollow I would never stop fighting, and I don’t intend to do so now.
Me: Valen, I know you will listen to me. I didn’t know what was going to happen until last night. Please talk to Judah, make him listen because I never wanted to hurt any of you.
Before I can say anything more, I hit send and leave it at that. I don’t want to tell them I love them. Not yet. This is the time to focus on getting out of this fucking dungeon. It’s so cold, I shiver the moment I lie back and allow my body to relax. There are so many things racing through my mind. And I’m pretty sure the one and only thought that makes sense is Judah will no doubt kill me. If he does, the blood will be on my father’s hands.
The soft vibration of my phone sends me into a mild panic. But then I see it’s Valen. I don’t want to open the message, because I’m scared he’s going to tell me he hates me. Deep down, I can live with Judah hating me because I don’t think he ever cared for me, but I had found a friendship with Val, and for him to turn his back on me would hurt far too much.
Valen: There is nothing I can do now, princess. You’re in the hands of Judah. We may all own you, but he’s still the one that’s going to marry you.
It wasn’t what I was expecting, but at least he hasn’t told me I’m going to die. They’re all angry, and I don’t blame them. But when I have my moment to speak, I’ll explain what happened. The email from my father only told me enough to force me to obey, but I had a choice.
And if given the same fork in the road, I know which way I’ll go. They have used me as a bargaining chip for the last time. I will not be played with, or played, ever again.
I curl into a ball, bringing my knees to my chest, and I allow my eyes to flutter closed. I’m exhausted. There has been too much to think about, and as darkness steals me, a memory filters into my dreams, reminding me of why I wanted to leave London.
I don’t enjoy being here, but I have no choice since Papa is at work. When he told me I should be friends with Marco, I thought nothing of it. He was merely a boy from what I can remember of my childhood.
“Buttercup,” Marco calls me by the nickname he’s given me. “I think we should go for a drive. Perhaps we can find a quiet place away from the house.” He reaches for my face, trailing his knuckles over my cheek. It’s almost as if he’s taking in a piece of art, but his eyes hold malice that sends ice racing down my spine.
I’m not sure why he wants to leave, since my father isn’t home. But I don’t feel at ease with him anymore. Something shifted between us last night when he tried to kiss me and I pushed him away. He didn’t like rejection, and I didn’t like him.