Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
He’s broken beyond repair, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
This man loved his sister so much that losing her turned him into the angel of death, reaping the souls of those he deems evil.
“I’m a criminal,” I whisper. “I smuggle illegal goods.”
Not breaking eye contact, he asks, “Do you smuggle people against their will?”
“No.”
“Do you force people into slavery?” he shoots another question at me.
“No. I just smuggle contraband.”
His eyes flick to the door before focusing on the plate of food in front of him. “Then we don’t have a problem.”
My gaze lowers to his mouth, and I wonder if he ever smiles.
Maybe he’s lost the ability?
When silence falls between us, I lie back against the pillows, and my thoughts turn to my family. My throat strains, and unshed tears make my eyes sting.
I hear Knight get up and watch as he shuts the door. Instead of heading back to the table, he comes to stand beside the bed. He lifts his arm, and as his palm cups my cheek, I can’t stop my tears from flowing.
He sits down on the side of the bed, tilting his head while his eyebrows draw together.
I’m not sure why I’m letting this man see my vulnerable side. All I know is I need him because I don’t think I can make it on my own.
I suck in a shuddering breath while my tears keep falling, then the pad of his thumb brushes over the swell of my cheek, and a sob bursts from me.
“They’re all g-gone,” I whimper. It looks like he feels my pain, and I press my face harder into his palm as I whisper, “I don’t know what to do next.”
Knight leans closer. “Just rest and heal, Cassia. We’ll deal with everything else once you’re better.”
Staring into his eyes, I’ve never been more vulnerable in my life as I admit, “I’m scared. If the alliance members or the men in my organization catch a whiff of my fear, they’ll kill me.”
Slowly, he shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. You’re really good at fooling them.”
My voice is hoarse as I mutter, “I didn’t fool you.”
When the corner of his mouth lifts, I’m surprised. The slight smile makes him look unbelievably hot.
“It’s your eyes. The darker they are, the more scared you are.”
“How dark are they now?” I ask softly.
It feels as if everything else is falling away until it’s just me and Knight.
He tilts his head again while his eyes drift over my face, then he says, “They look like caramel, and there are golden flecks in the right one.”
I lower my head and stare down at the spot where the IV is inserted into my arm as my thoughts return to the devastating blow I just suffered.
“I killed three men,” I whisper. “I didn’t think I had it in me.”
“Everyone has it in them when they’re in a kill-or-be-killed situation.”
I close my eyes as I admit, “Yeah, but I don’t think I’ll be able to kill someone for disobeying me. What do I do if I manage to rebuild my organization and someone steals from me? Or worse, I’m betrayed. How do I pull the trigger? I’m not ruthless like that.”
“I know.” Knight's palm brushes over my hair before his fingers wrap around the back of my neck. When I lift my head, he leans in and presses his forehead to mine. “That’s why I’ll do the killing.”
His eyes are so intense and feeling his breaths on my face makes my abdomen tighten. I should be focusing on the serious conversation we’re having, but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult with him this close to me.
I’ve never initiated a kiss, and I don’t have any experience when it comes to dating and sex because Dad made sure we stayed pure for marriage, and he would’ve arranged a suitable match for me within the next few months. He wanted me married before I took over from him so I’d have a powerful man by my side.
Knight exhales, and his breath warms my lips. There’s a fluttering in my stomach as I lean forward, but at the same time, he moves backward.
As he pulls away from me, I’m hit with an intense wave of embarrassment.
Shit. Did he pull back to avoid me, or didn’t he notice I was leaning in for a kiss?
While Knight walks to the door and opens it, he mutters, “I’ll call Jasmine to take away the trays.”
It feels like my face is on fire as he leaves the room.
“Jesus,” I whisper, not sure what just happened.
Chapter 13
KNIGHT
Cassia has gotten a lot of rest over the past two days, and her color looks much healthier.
You’d think things would be better between us after she opened up to me, but it feels like she’s withdrawn again. I can’t figure out why.