Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
I give my head a quick shake to clear away those thoughts. Thinking about my hands on my brother’s head after what Wild and Mya said sends a shiver down my spine. Hugging my arms to me, desperately needing warmth on my chilled body, I look away from him, this time at Ronan.
Ronan slowly makes it over to the steps and sits down. His shoulders hunch forward as he hugs his knees to his chest. The air is thick with tension—each of us mentally battling the accusation Wild claimed and Mya agreed with.
It’s not true.
They’re both terrible liars who get off on tormenting us, especially me.
I certainly don’t believe them.
My brothers, however, have taken the news hard. Ryder stalks back and forth with the agitation of a crazed mountain lion—half starved, half mad from disease. His shoulders are taut and the muscles in his neck keep flexing as though he’s clenching his teeth. Ronan, on the other hand, is a granite statue of despair. He doesn’t move or make a sound.
“We can’t believe their lies,” I say softly, hoping just the two of them will hear. I’m not about to let Wild or Mya, who might be lurking nearby, listen to our private conversation.
Neither brother says anything. Anger prickles through me, lighting up every nerve ending. I’m annoyed that these two are allowing Wild to screw with their heads. When Ryder stalks past me again on his never-ending pacing quest, I seize his bicep with my hand.
His blue eyes are dark and intense as they bore into me. The heat of his stare ignites a small fire deep in my core. Warmth settles there and also ripples its way through my body. My face grows hot under his fiery scrutiny.
“Don’t be naive, Rae.”
After spitting out those harsh words, he tugs his arm from my hold and then walks over to where Ronan is sitting. He takes a seat beside him close enough the sides of their bodies touch.
Jealousy snares me in its trap and I practically hiss with fury. The reminder of what Ronan told me they did together explodes inside me. I want to shove them apart and sit right between them. Ronan’s body leans toward Ryder’s, closing the gap completely. He slumps against our brother as though he has the power to make everything better. To my absolute horror, Ryder relaxes and then wraps an arm around Ronan.
No.
Tears burn at my eyes and I have to blink furiously to keep them at bay. I want to yell at them and call them awful names, but I know that’ll push them even closer together, squeezing me out completely. With a ragged sigh, drowning with emotion, I walk over to the steps and sit down on Ryder’s other side. Mirroring Ronan, I lean against Ryder.
If he rejects me now, after everything, I’ll—
My mind calms when Ryder shifts to put an arm around me also. It does wonders to soothe my scattered, heartbroken thoughts. I edge closer to Ryder, inhaling his masculine scent with a hint of liquor. His large palm settles on my hip and he strokes his thumb over me so tenderly I almost cry. Again.
“Destiny is perfect,” I murmur, voice strained and sad. “She is.”
This time, my brothers speak. In unison. “She is.”
I let out a ragged sigh of relief. A hot tear rolls down my cheek and clings to my jaw. Swallowing hard, I hold back a sniffle so they don’t hear my despair.
And that’s what this is.
Despair.
Confusion.
Betrayal.
I may not believe Wild or Mya, but the seed of doubt has been planted. It’s festering and growing, starting with my two brothers. Because I care deeply about them and are attuned to their feelings, I’m not immune. It’s getting to me too.
Ronan takes my hand again. It’s still cold as he threads his fingers with mine and settles it on Ryder’s warm thigh. Ryder’s palm slides up my back and then he’s gently stroking my hair. I’m confused by the gesture until I realize I’m sniffling despite my efforts not to.
He’s comforting me.
This has my chest tightening and more tears forming. It takes a monumental effort to keep the sob lodged in my throat. Ronan makes a sound that’s pained. We’re hurting. We’re all three hurting, once again, from these outsiders.
Ryder’s hand strokes through my hair and then he palms my back, rubbing me in large circles. He’s never been one to comfort us. That’s always been Ronan. Seeing this side of Ryder softens hard places deep inside my heart. I wish everyone were gone so the three of us could cuddle in Ryder’s bed and sleep just like this, snuggled against one another.
As Ryder’s fingers curl around my ribs under my arms, I suck in a sharp breath. His touch feels intimate now. Forbidden. I bite my lip in anticipation, letting my thoughts run wild. Achingly slow, he inches his hand upward, closer to my armpit. When his fingertips brush against the side of my breast, a whining sound rattles from my throat.